Senior Rural Advisor

About the role

The Senior Rural Advisor will join a purpose‑driven team at Hawke's Bay Regional Council, working to deliver meaningful environmental and rural outcomes across the region. This senior position leads engagement with rural communities and drives catchment resilience initiatives that support sustainable land use and thriving local economies.

Key responsibilities

• Lead rural engagement programmes and build strong relationships with landowners, iwi and community groups.
• Develop and implement catchment resilience strategies to improve water quality and ecosystem health.
• Provide expert advice on sustainable land‑use practices and environmental outcomes.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to align regional policies with on‑the‑ground initiatives.
• Monitor and report on the effectiveness of rural and environmental projects.

Required profile

• Significant experience in rural advisory, environmental planning or related fields.
• Proven ability to engage and influence diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strong understanding of regional council processes and sustainable land‑use principles.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.

Required skills

What we offer

• Competitive salary range of $88,995 – $104,700 per year.
• Life insurance and income protection.
• Five weeks of annual leave after three years of service.
• Flexible working arrangements to support work‑life balance.
• Opportunity to make a tangible impact on the environment and rural communities.