Specialist - Consenting

About Contact Energy

Contact Energy is committed to powering New Zealand with a focus on renewable energy, broadband, and mobile services. The company is driven by the ambition to improve Aotearoa through sustainable and connected work practices that support the energy transition and community well-being.

Role Overview

The Specialist - Consenting position is vital to maintaining Contact's ability to develop and enhance renewable energy projects through obtaining necessary approvals, ensuring regulatory compliance, and building stakeholder confidence. This role extends beyond administrative tasks to contribute strategically to project planning, governance, stakeholder engagement, and continual improvement in consenting processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and assist with resource consent applications, reconsenting initiatives, and other legal approvals across Contact's asset portfolio.
• Collaborate closely with technical experts, consultants, and legal teams to achieve excellent consenting outcomes.
• Proactively identify risks, dependencies, and opportunities related to consenting, coordinating with projects to address these effectively.
• Support development of consenting strategies balancing environmental, stakeholder, commercial, and delivery objectives.
• Work in partnership with internal divisions including Renewable Growth, Sustainability, and Corporate Affairs to facilitate project success.
• Establish and nurture connections across teams to ensure a clear understanding and integration of consenting activities within project workflows.
• Engage with regulators, indigenous communities, landowners, and stakeholders to build trust and foster sustainable outcomes.
• Participate in enhancing consenting practices, governance structures, reporting methods, and toolsets.
• Improve transparency of consenting efforts by tracking programs, milestones, risks, and interdependencies.
• Apply a mindset of continuous improvement, exploring opportunities for technological or AI-driven advancements in consenting efficiency.

Qualifications and Experience

• Degree in relevant fields such as planning, resource management, environmental management, law, engineering, or business.
• Proven experience in managing or supporting complex consenting for environmental, infrastructure, or energy projects.
• Deep knowledge of resource management and environmental legislation.
• Understanding of how consenting decisions impact project risk, value, and execution.
• Strong project management capabilities to maintain oversight of milestones, risks, and priorities.
• Excellent communication skills to influence and clarify complex topics to diverse audiences.
• Established ability to foster trusted relationships with internal teams and external stakeholders, including indigenous groups and regulators.
• Collaborative, practical approach with enthusiasm for cross-functional teamwork.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and readiness to challenge the status quo constructively.
• Capacity to make sound judgments in complex and evolving operational environments.

Additional Information

Contact supports flexible working arrangements suited to individual and team needs, especially from locations such as Wellington, Taupō, Tauranga, or Auckland. The company offers extensive benefits including health insurance, enhanced KiwiSaver contributions, share plans, home wellbeing payments, generous parental leave policies, and access to Contact products. Diverse applicants of all backgrounds are encouraged, with a commitment to inclusive practices and workplace equality. Please note that eligibility to live and work in New Zealand is required.