Data & GIS Team Leader
The role
This is a great opportunity to step into a leadership role that balances people, platform, and strategic influence. As the Data & GIS Team Leader, you’ll be responsible for ensuring the reliability, performance, and continuous improvement of the technical infrastructure that underpins GIS and enterprise data across Horizons Regional Council.
You’ll guide the development and delivery of our Data & GIS Strategy, lead a skilled team, and play a key role in embedding data governance practices across the organisation. With a strong focus on enabling other teams to leverage spatial tools and insights, this role also contributes to regulatory, operational, and digital transformation goals. You’ll also work with external partners and other councils on sector-wide data initiatives.
This is a permanent, full time position based in Palmerston North. The role reports to the Chief Information Officer and has responsibility for a small in-house team and contractor support.
About you
You’re a strategic and collaborative leader with proven experience in enterprise GIS and data environments. You enjoy working across teams and translating complex data into practical solutions. You’ll bring:
- A relevant tertiary qualification (GIS, Data Science, Geography, Information Systems, or similar).
- 5+ years’ experience in GIS/data management, with at least 2 in a leadership or senior advisory role.
- Strong knowledge of GIS platforms (e.g. ArcGIS, QGIS), spatial databases, metadata management, and enterprise integration.
- Experience implementing data governance frameworks and leading data-related improvement initiatives.
- Great communication and relationship-building skills across technical and non-technical audiences.
Why join us?
When you join us, you can look forward to a rewarding career full of opportunities to develop a positive and supportive work environment. We do this through:
- Positive focus on employee health, wellness and wellbeing initiatives across the organisation including your birthday off, wellness day, life insurance for all permanent staff and 5 weeks leave after 2 years of service.
- Flexible family friendly work environment.
- Ongoing development and opportunities across the organisation to grow, specialise or diversify your skills.
- Working together for a better environment across our region.
- A supportive and social work environment across the organisation.
About us
The Horizons region extends over 22,200km2 - from Ruapehu in the north and Horowhenua in the south, to Whanganui in the west and Tararua in the east. We work with and for our community in the use and protection of our environment, managing our precious resources of land, air and water; as well as public transport and a key role in emergency management. At Horizons Regional Council we work to make our region a healthy environment where people are thriving, including our staff.
Applications close at 5pm on Wednesday 27 August 2025.
Horizons are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to ensuring we have a diverse and inclusive workplace, so our people reflect the diversity of our region.
