Principal Planner – Whakatū / Nelson

Mō tō mātou āhuatanga | Who we are 

Tonkin + Taylor is New Zealand's leading engineering and environmental consultancy, renowned for our technical excellence in solving complex challenges. We are proudly a New Zealand, employee-owned company and our collective mission is to create and sustain a better world. 

We currently have the fantastic opportunity for a Principal Planner with 15+ years of relevant experience to join us in our Nelson office. This role will appeal to those with a strong profile in the planning market in the upper South Island, a nose for opportunity / business development, and an interest in developing and growing teams. 

We promise that life will never be dull! For 62 years, we've been helping to create world-class infrastructure with sustainability at our core. Our clients range from local and central Government to businesses and private developers. We are looking for planners to help deliver a visionary, resilient future for Aotearoa New Zealand, its wonderfully diverse culture, people and communities. 

Our Planning Team works nationally, supporting each other on projects around the country to utilise skills and experience regardless of location. Along with working on infrastructure upgrade projects in Richmond, flood protection projects in Golden Bay, bio-solids disposal on Rabbit Island and infrastructure strategy in Motueka, our Planning Team has helped build resilience into New Zealand's Rail network, been at the forefront of water allocation policy discussions, and led the planning effort to build back a better Kaikōura following 2016's devastating earthquake. We've also helped to lead the first National Climate Change Risk Assessment, which is already providing a platform for Aotearoa New Zealand's future resilience. 

As well as our local projects, we bring our expertise to an array of large-scale and national projects; including transforming the cycling and walking connection between Wellington and Lower Hutt through the Te Ara Tupua shared cycle and walkway, and supporting the rebuild in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle through Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC) - just to name a few! 

Nā tōu rourou | What you'll bring 

You'll have the appropriate Resource Management qualifications as well as being a member of the NZPI; and a comprehensive understanding of the RMA together with regional and district planning is essential. 

We want team players who are adaptable and optimistic, who have top-notch communication skills, an eye for detail and are passionate about good client, iwi, stakeholder, and wider community relationships. 

You'll be ready to take on the challenge of planning transformational projects that support well-connected, happy, prosperous and resilient communities - projects that tick all the sustainability boxes.  An ability to work across a wide range of disciplines is a must. 

You'll also have the ability to undertake peer reviews and expert witness services. We'd love it if you'd put your hand up to mentor less experienced members of the team, and it would be great if you also had an eye for untapped opportunity! 

As well as the above, you'll have: 

• 15+ years' demonstratable New Zealand and/or international experience, preferably with some time spent in a consulting environment 
• Relevant tertiary qualification 
• Be a member of a Professional Institute 
• Have a proven track record in business development and building and sustaining long-term relationships 
• Experience in a commercial environment 
• Connections within the upper South Island planning market 

Ngā Hua | Our benefits 

• A unique shareholding model, making T+T 100% employee owned and operated 
• Exposure to a variety of professional experts and projects; T+T are involved in a number of large-scale alliance projects, as well as smaller community focused projects 
• A highly supportive local + national team environment where you are encouraged to pave your own career path that caters to your own personal pathway 
• Professional memberships and continued education support 
• A flexible working culture and formal flexible working arrangements including part time working and ability to purchase extra leave 
• Internal training programs  
• Mentoring programs 
• $750 annual wellbeing allowance and wellbeing programme 
• A very active social club 
• Additional parental leave, salary top-up and a back to work coaching programme (as per policy) 
• State of the art, modern and contemporary offices  

We embrace flexible working at T+T and aim to work in a way that serves the needs of our people, clients and communities. Our flexible working culture enables us to work flexibly to create better work and life experiences. We welcome applicants who wish to work part-time or flexible hours. 

Toroa tā mātou pae tukutuku mō ētehi atu kōrero | For more information, check out our website 

If you are someone who values excellence, mastery and purpose in your work and will thrive in a team environment where every day is different, we'd love to speak to you! 

APPLY NOW! Or for further information on T+T, go to: http://www.tonkintaylor.co.nz. For a confidential chat, reach out to Amelia Paton apaton@tonkintaylor.co.nz. T+T is not only a place to work - it's a place where your work will make a difference.   

'Everyone Matters' is one of our three core values at T+T, and we are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce who foster inclusion, participation, and equal opportunity. 

We are proud to be an Immigration New Zealand Accredited Employer, a member of Diversity Works, and Partners of TupuToa and Pūhoro STEMM Academy. We particularly encourage speakers of Te Reo Māori or Pacific languages to apply. 

T+T are proud to be part of the Rainbow Tick Whānau and welcome applicants from rainbow communities.