JOB DETAILS

Emergency Management Lead

CompanyNapier City Council
LocationPoraiti
Work ModeOn Site
PostedJune 8, 2026
About The Company
Napier is a small city with big ideas and an equally big attitude. We are focused on investing in the right infrastructure and development to cement our future as a vibrant cosmopolitan regional city. Along with the internationally renowned Art Deco style architecture, our sunny warm weather, proximity to wineries and beaches and our extensive cycling trails sets Napier apart from other cities in New Zealand. Napier has long been considered the architectural jewel in the Hawke's Bay crown. Our vision is to provide the facilities and services and the environment, encouragement, leadership and economic opportunity TO MAKE NAPIER THE BEST CITY IN NEW ZEALAND in which to live, work, raise a family, and enjoy a safe and satisfying life. We employ over 500 dedicated and talented people who run and manage the city’s infrastructure, maintain our public amenities and facilities where people can play and relax and work with our residents and community to understand and incorporate the needs and aspirations for Napier in our future plans.
About the Role

The Emergency Management Lead plays a critical strategic and operational role in strengthening our organisation’s resilience. You will lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of emergency management frameworks that ensure we are prepared to respond to, recover from, and reduce the impact of emergency events. Working across teams and alongside regional and national partners, you will help shape plans, capability and systems that protect people, assets, and essential services.

This is a highly collaborative leadership role where you will guide emergency preparedness, coordinate response activities, and support recovery planning when it matters most. You will work closely with internal leaders, elected members, iwi, community partners and emergency services to ensure alignment with legislation, best practice, and community needs. Your ability to lead, influence and build strong relationships will be key to building confidence, capability and readiness across the organisation.

Te Āheinga - The Opportunity

  • Lead the development and continuous improvement of emergency management and resilience strategies across the organisation and wider CDEM group

  • Coordinate emergency preparedness, response, recovery and reduction activities, ensuring operational readiness at all times

  • Act as a key advisor to Executive Leadership and elected members during emergency events and planning activities

  • Build and maintain strong relationships with iwi, emergency services, community leaders and regional partners

  • Lead training, exercises and capability development to strengthen organisational readiness and confidence

  • Ensure compliance with relevant legislation and embed best practice across all emergency management activity

He kōrero mōhou - About You

  • Proven experience in emergency management, civil defence or a related resilience-focused field

  • Strong understanding of CDEM frameworks, emergency response and relevant legislation, or ability to quickly develop this knowledge

  • Confidence operating in complex, high-pressure environments with multiple stakeholders

  • Experience in planning, delivering training, exercises and capability development programmes

  • Strong relationship-building skills with iwi, community groups, emergency services and senior leaders

  • A calm, credible leadership style that builds trust, capability and confidence in others

Ngā painga mōhou - What we Offer

  • 5 weeks' annual leave after 2 years service

  • Discounted health insurance work scheme + Eye test subsidy

  • Retailer discounts + study assistance

  • Employee Assistance Program (OCP)

  • Quarterly values awards + Birthday vouchers + Social club

  • Free flu vaccinations (annual)

  • Ka Awatea Cultural Wānanga + NCC Kapa Haka

  • Te Reo Māori language classes

This is a permanent, full time opportunity working 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday. You will be based in Napier.

The annual salary package for this role is $112,900-$132,800 (including KiwiSaver), with the final offer depending on your skills and experience.

We will be interviewing applications as we receive them and may close the role when we have found the right person.

He kōrero mō Te Kaunihera o Ahuriri - About NCC

At Napier City Council, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer that values diversity. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and work to make our hiring process fair and accessible. If you need any support or adjustments during your application or interview, let us know—we’re happy to help!

Our success is grounded in strong partnerships with Mana Whenua and Iwi, supported by our Māori Partnerships team, Te Waka Rangapū, which builds cultural capability through education and training.

Before you join, you’ll need to complete pre-employment checks (including criminal background checks, with some roles requiring health screening and drug & alcohol testing). As an NCC employee, you may also be called on to support Civil Defence emergencies when our community needs us most.

Please visit Napier City Council Careers website to see full job description

Job Description – Emergency Management Lead

Key Skills
Emergency ManagementCivil DefenceStrategic PlanningStakeholder ManagementCrisis CoordinationCapability DevelopmentLegislative ComplianceRelationship BuildingRisk ReductionRecovery PlanningTraining DeliveryLeadership
Categories
Security & SafetyGovernment & Public SectorManagement & Leadership
Benefits
5 Weeks Annual Leave After 2 Years ServiceDiscounted Health Insurance Work SchemeEye Test SubsidyRetailer DiscountsStudy AssistanceEmployee Assistance ProgramQuarterly Values AwardsBirthday VouchersSocial ClubFree Annual Flu VaccinationsCultural WorkshopsLanguage Classes
Job Information
📋Core Responsibilities
Lead the development and implementation of emergency management frameworks to strengthen organizational resilience. Coordinate preparedness, response, and recovery activities while advising executive leadership and regional partners.
📋Job Type
full time
💰Salary Range
NZ$112,900 - NZ$132,800
📊Experience Level
5-10
💼Company Size
367
📊Visa Sponsorship
No
💼Language
English
🏢Working Hours
40 hours
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