Gm Customer and Community

Lead partnerships, advocacy and innovation that empower resilient communities - Collaborate with elected members to enable community led aspirations - Drive customer-centric services, foster teamwork and a culture of excellence **About the Southland District Council** As stewards for 11% of the total land area of Aotearoa New Zealand, including the outstanding beauty of Fiordland National Park and Rakiura (Stewart Island) together with more than 30 unique communities, Southland District Council (Council) manages the largest land area of any New Zealand territorial authority. With a commitment to working together with our communities for our communities, Council is in the middle of an environment of change. We have multiple local government reform programmes on the go, changes to key pieces of legislation that govern how we do things and a range of other external factors which are creating challenges in how we balance the cost of doing business, with enabling the growth and resilience of our communities. To meet these challenges, our focus across the organisation is on innovation, partnerships and the agility to adapt in this environment. As well, we need to ensure we deliver on our promises to our communities and provide an exceptional customer experience which makes doing business with Council easy. To this end we have created a new leadership structure. The team of 200+ Council staff are diverse in their backgrounds, skillsets and locations, and spread across three Invercargill offices and seven library/offices throughout the district. This ensures ease of connecting with the communities and the customers. Our team is our biggest asset and we are dedicated to putting people and place at the heart of all we do. To support this shift in focus, we are looking for a talented Group Manager Customer and Community Wellbeing. This is a newly created executive level role, established to deliver an exceptional customer centric focus and drive strong, enduring partnerships with our communities. Interested? **Why we love Southland** Southland is more than a location; it's a place of opportunity. As a Southland resident, you can choose a lifestyle that works for you. Be it rural, city or anything in between, the options are endless. We have some of the most affordable real estate in the country. Your down time will see you engaging with options for a plethora of recreational pursuits - hiking in breathtaking landscapes, enjoying lakes or beaches, leveraging world-class sports facilities or immersing yourself in a vibrant cultural scene marked by festivals, events, and activities or simply listening to the bird song This multifaceted environment, complemented by diverse industries and superior educational options, empowers you to optimise your professional pursuits while savouring life's finer moments. The brevity of your commutes, whether to work or your child's school event, or an enriching experience at any of the acclaimed cafes, galleries or parks, underscores the unmatched convenience. Moreover, in a mere two hours, you can transition from the slopes of a ski resort to the heart of lush wilderness or the attractions of a larger metropolis. This district is a true jewel in the crown of Aotearoa, New Zealand - join us in paradise **About the opportunity** The Group Manager Customer and Community Wellbeing joins a newly established and aligned leadership team, reporting directly to the Kaihautū (Chief Executive) and leads a team of four direct reports across the customer, community leadership, property and community facilities portfolios. The Group Manager Customer and Community Wellbeing will: - Lead initiatives for enabling our communities, fostering strong partnerships, and addressing critical challenges for the future. - Develop and maintain a customer-focused "centre of excellence," optimizing service delivery, fostering seamless interactions, and enhancing the overall customer experience - Develop and execute clear strategic frameworks, ensuring community facilities meet evolving needs. - Enhance relationships with stakeholders, and champion Te Tiriti o Waitangi partnerships. - Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team, fostering a culture of service, collaboration, and continuous improvement across the organisation. - Oversee and drive Council's emergency response preparedness, ensuring continuity of services and resilient outcomes during critical events. - Provide valuable advice and support to Council and community boards, enabling effective decision-making and successful engagement with key stakeholders. **About you** To be successful as the Group Manager Customer and Community Wellbeing, you will hold a relevant tertiary qualification and bring with you sound experience working and engaging with governance in a public sector environment. However, don’t let the preference for public sector experience concern you, as your experience with these disciplines in a larger commercial ent