Transformation Manager - Hawke's Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management (Fixed Term)

Transformation Manager - Hawke's Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management (Fixed Term)

Our vision is a healthy environment and a resilient and prosperous community.

About The opportunity

Following Cyclone Gabrielle, Hawke's Bay has committed to fundamental change in how we prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies. Communities, mana whenua, councils, and partners rightly expect a system that works when it matters most.

With our community at the heart of our civil defence system, our mission is to build strong connections, empower local voices, and enhance collaboration across the region to create a safe, informed, and resilient Hawke's Bay that is prepared for, responds to, and recovers from emergencies and disasters well.

Hawke's Bay Emergency Management operates as a shared regional service on behalf of the region's councils. We take a strategic, evidence led approach to resilience that focuses on where effort will have the greatest impact, particularly for communities, sectors, and systems that are most at risk.

We are looking for a Transformation Manager to join the HBCDEM team on a full time, fixed term basis (up to 12 months). Working closely with the Director of Emergency Management, councils, mana whenua, and partner agencies, this role will lead and coordinate the implementation of the Hawke's Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management Transformation Strategy, driving delivery of agreed changes across the regional emergency management system.

This includes supporting the shift to a locally led, regionally coordinated operating model and embedding the Service Level Agreement (SLA) across the region, ensuring agreed roles, responsibilities, and service levels are understood and consistently applied. The role focuses on maintaining momentum across the transformation programme, working with councils and partners to resolve barriers, align approaches, and ensure changes are embedded in practice.

Overall, the role is focused on delivering system wide change to strengthen community resilience and enhance emergency management capability across the region, operating in a complex, multi organisational environment where alignment, consistency, and sustained adoption are critical to success.

This role requires a strong background in change management, programme delivery, and stakeholder engagement, with the ability to translate strategic intent into practical, coordinated action across multiple organisations.

This role also involves:

• Travel within the region and occasional travel elsewhere in Aotearoa New Zealand
• Participating in the 24/7 duty team roster and performing emergency response and recovery functions as necessary during emergencies

About you

You will be a capable professional with proven experience delivering and embedding change in complex environments, supported by strong project and programme management skills to balance multiple priorities and meet deadlines. You will be comfortable working across organisational boundaries, influencing without direct authority, and maintaining momentum in complex environments with competing priorities. You will bring a strong understanding of how to support change in practice, including engaging stakeholders, managing resistance, and ensuring change is sustained over time. Experience working across local government, emergency management, or other multi agency environments is highly desirable.

Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills will be key to building trust and working effectively across councils, mana whenua, and partner agencies. You will demonstrate sound judgement and practical problem solving in dynamic environments.

Collaborative work practices and a sound understanding of tikanga Māori and Māori values-particularly in relation to emergency management and local government-are also key attributes.

• Proven experience in transformational leadership, ideally within emergency management, local government, or the broader public sector.
• A strong understanding of emergency management frameworks, regional and local governance structures, and public sector operational processes.
• A strong understanding of emergency management principles and practices, particularly around response and recovery.
• A relevant tertiary qualification in Emergency Management, Public Administration, Change Management, or a related field, along with a full New Zealand driver licence.

What we offer

The salary range for this role is between $122,485 and $144,100 and will depend on the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate.

Other benefits of working for our team include:

• Flexible working options to support work/life balance
• Subsidised eye tests and lenses, flu vaccinations, and other well being initiatives
• Strong commitment to developing and upskilling people within a supportive working environment

As an equal opportunity employer, we are dedicated to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment. We recognise that collaborative and innovative organisations depend on having a workforce made up from a diverse range of perspectives and experiences. We're all about excellence, and we encourage open communication - if you need any specific support, just let us know! Our main goal is to empower each person to share their unique talents to contribute to the outcomes for our community. This commitment ensures that our workplace is a dynamic and progressive space where everyone can flourish.

HBRC Responsibility

HBRC is responsible for Civil Defence emergencies and as such, all staff may be called upon to support the response.

How to apply

Applications close Friday, 17 April 2026, however we will be shortlisting and interviewing appropriate candidates as applications are received. If you are interested in this position, please do not wait to apply as we may close the ad earlier than advertised.

Applicants must have existing rights to work in New Zealand.

To view the job description please visit our website here.

Please apply through Seek. If you would like any further information regarding the role, please email

About us

At Hawke's Bay Regional Council our purpose is to work with our community to protect and manage the region's precious taonga of rivers, lakes, soils, air, coast and biodiversity for health, wellbeing and connectivity. Our organisation is diverse and our work is varied. Our structure comprises of six key business units; Corporate Services, Integrated Catchment Management, Asset Management, Māori Partnerships, Policy & Regulation, and the Executive Advisory Group which also consists of the Civil Defence and Emergency Management.

We focus on prioritising: Water quality, safety and climate resilient security.

Climate smart and sustainable land use.

Healthy, functioning and climate resilient biodiversity.

Sustainable and climate resilient services and infrastructure.