Department of Conservation NZ – Canterbury
Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa
The Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) serves to protect and restore nature across Aotearoa. When nature thrives, we all thrive.
We're looking for a people-focused leader to guide a team of six through change and innovation in statutory land management at Department of Conservation.
This is a unique opportunity to influence how conservation land is managed across New Zealand, while supporting the Principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and contributing to system-wide improvements.
This is your opportunity to make a real impact in a role that blends leadership, policy, and operational delivery.
Mō te tūranga | About the role
As a Team Lead - Statutory Land Management, you'll be at the forefront of change-bringing your team on the journey with you. You'll foster a culture of collaboration, care, and continuous improvement, helping your people thrive in a complex and evolving environment.
As a Team Lead - Statutory Land Management, you'll lead a distributed team across DOC's regional service centres, supporting the delivery of statutory functions and contributing to Treaty Settlement Implementation and regulatory system improvements.
You don't need to be a subject matter expert— but you do need to be a proven people leader.
In this position you will:
* Drive work planning, capacity management, and process improvement
* Champion new systems and ways of working and have a continuous growth mind‑set
* Provide high-quality advice to decision‑makers and contribute to policy development
* Build strong relationships across DOC and with external partners
* Proven people leadership skills – subject matter expertise not essential
* Experience leading teams through change and transformation
* Strong communication and relationship‑building skills
* Familiarity with statutory land management or natural resource policy (preferred)
* A commitment to team wellbeing and pastoral care.
DOC places importance on developing a culture where everyone can participate, thrive, and grow. You can learn more about what we offer here.
Apply online with a CV and cover letter that highlights your relevant skills, experience and motivation for joining Te Papa Atawhai.
If you require any accommodations or adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.
The salary range for this position is $92,912- $117,570 with the starting salary of the successful applicant being based on their relevant skills and experience.
Eligibility to work in New Zealand is mandatory - this includes holding a valid work visa that covers the whole period of employment.
Rā whakakapi | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Friday 10 October 2025.
Depending on the volume of applications received, we may close this advertisement early, so please submit your application as soon as possible.
Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries, please contact David Griffin at ********@doc.govt.nz
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