Building Quality Manager
Robert Walters
Our client is seeking an exceptional Building Quality Manager to lead their building consent authority operations during a period of significant transformation. With recent changes at senior management level, this is a genuine opportunity to build your own team and shape the strategic direction of building quality services across the district.
This role goes beyond traditional building control management. They need a strategic thinker who can see beyond current regulatory frameworks, anticipate sector changes, and position their BCA operations for the future. With Government reforms rapidly reshaping local government, shared services models emerging, and digital transformation accelerating across the sector, they're looking for someone who embraces change rather than defends the status quo.
The successful candidate will have genuine autonomy to drive improvements, implement best practice systems, and lead a team through an exciting period of renewal and growth.
What You'll Do
Strategic Leadership & Team Development
- Provide strategic direction and hands-on leadership to the Building Quality team, building a high-performing, customer-focused culture during a period of team renewal
- Develop and mentor the team through coaching, workload planning, and promoting industry best practice
- Build and maintain effective relationships with internal stakeholders, elected officials, executive leadership team, and external construction industry partners.
BCA Operations & Compliance
- Lead and manage all Territorial Authority (TA) and Building Consent Authority (BCA) functions ensuring full compliance with the Building Act and maintaining BCA accreditation
- Maintain and continuously improve quality assurance systems, policies, and procedures aligned with IANZ requirements
- Coordinate rapid building assessments during emergency situations, ensuring swift, compliant responses that prioritize public safety
- Oversee risk and liability management, preparing timely reports for legal teams and insurers
Governance & Communication
- Attend Council meetings to present technical and strategic advice on TA/BCA functions with confidence and clarity
- Translate complex regulatory matters into accessible guidance for elected officials and senior leadership
- Provide expert interpretation of legislation and policy implications for decision-makers
Innovation & Continuous Improvement
- Champion digital transformation and business process automation initiatives to enhance productivity, efficiency, and customer experience
- Drive continuous improvement across systems and processes, staying ahead of sector developments and emerging best practice
- Embrace and implement technology solutions that streamline operations while maintaining service quality
Financial & Procurement Management
- Oversee operational and capital budgets with precision, ensuring financial commitments are met on time and within constraints
- Manage end-to-end procurement processes and contract management activities, ensuring value for money while mitigating risk
What You'll Bring
Essential Requirements
BCA Technical Expertise
- Registration as a Building Consent Authority Officer under Regulation 18 of the Building (Accreditation of Building Consent Authorities) Regulations 2006
- National Diploma in Building Control Surveying (or equivalent building-related qualification)
- Comprehensive understanding of the Building Act with proven ability to interpret and apply complex legislation
- Demonstrated experience managing BCA quality assurance systems and maintaining accreditation standards
Leadership Experience
- Significant senior leadership experience (typically 8-10+ years) in regulatory or compliance-driven environments
- Proven ability to lead multi-functional teams through change, building positive team dynamics and high performance
- Track record of developing people through coaching, mentoring, and capability building
Strategic & Future-Focused Mindset
- Demonstrated ability to anticipate and adapt to regulatory changes, sector reforms, and emerging best practices
- Not defensive about change - actively embraces transformation and challenges traditional "inside the box" thinking
- Experience implementing business process automation, digital transformation, or system improvements that enhanced efficiency
- Understands the rapidly evolving local government landscape (Minister's reforms, shared services models, sector consolidation)
Governance & Communication Excellence
- Executive-level communication skills with proven ability to present confidently to Council meetings, elected officials, and senior leadership
- Can translate technical regulatory matters into clear strategic advice for non-technical audiences
- Strong relationship builder who establishes trust quickly and maintains professional independence
Commercial & Financial Acumen
- Experience overseeing operational and capital budgets, demonstrating capability in resource management
- Solid knowledge of Local Government Act (LGA) and Resource Management Act (RMA)
- Procurement and contract management experience
Technical Capabilities
- Experience with building consent management systems (e.g., TechOne, Simpli, ALPS) and ability to leverage technology for process improvement
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Teams, Word, SharePoint, Excel, Outlook)
- Current full driver's licence for site visits and external engagements
Personal Attributes
- Proactive self-starter who takes initiative and doesn't wait to be told what to do - able to "pick up and run" with priorities
- Collaborative problem-solver comfortable with ambiguity
- Integrity and alignment with organizational values: transparency, responsibility, inclusivity, health & safety, cultural awareness (te ao Māori/tikanga), and commitment to te Tiriti o Waitangi
Highly Desirable
- Experience working in shared services or collaborative council arrangements
- Knowledge of Business Process Automation of end to end consenting processes
- Deep understanding of IANZ accreditation requirements and audit processes
- Experience managing teams through organizational change or restructure
- Accredited weathertightness inspector qualification
- Background as technical expert for MBIE/DBH or IANZ.
Robert Walters endeavours to review all applications in a maximum of five working days. If you have not received correspondence within this timeframe please do not hesitate to contact Peter Swinney on +6493747330.
