About the role

We are looking for a Principal Advisor Regulatory to join our Regulatory team in a fulltime permanent position.

The Principal Advisor Regulatory plays a key role in supporting strong regulatory stewardship across Council, ensuring bylaws, policies and regulatory frameworks are current, fit-for-purpose and effectively implemented.

This role bridges legislation, policy and operations, turning regulatory requirements into practical, workable solutions. You'll support the Regulatory Services team to respond to legislative change (including Resource Management Act reform) and help embed these changes through clear processes and guidance.

Working closely with leaders and the wider team, you'll lead bylaw and policy programmes end-to-end from planning and drafting through to adoption and implementation—ensuring outcomes are practical, effective and enforceable.

This is a hands-on role that blends strategic thinking with getting into the detail. You'll use strong influencing skills to support teams, maintain momentum and ensure regulatory work is delivered efficiently and on time.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and review of Council bylaws and regulatory policies, ensuring strong, practical outcomes.
• Support consultation processes for bylaws and policies alongside the Communications and Engagement team.
• Monitor legislative changes and translate them into clear, practical actions for the team.
• Work with managers and team leaders to deliver key projects on time.
• Develop and improve processes, templates, and guidance to support effective regulatory work.
• Take a hands-on approach—drafting, coordinating work, and supporting delivery where needed.
• Identify risks or gaps and take action to keep work moving.
• Build team capability through coaching, guidance, and training.
• Drive continuous improvement across Regulatory Services.
• Support investigation and enforcement work, including preparing documentation and working with Legal to progress cases effectively.

Why you'll love working here:

• Impact that matters: Shape bylaws and policies that make a real difference in our community.
• Variety and challenge: From strategic advice to enforcement support, no two days are the same.
• Flexibility and growth: Enjoy flexible working options and professional development opportunities.
• Supportive culture: Join a collaborative team that values innovation and expertise.

About you

We're looking for a high-performing, adaptable Business Analyst who thrives in a fast-paced, complex environment and is passionate about delivering better outcomes for the community.

• Significant experience in a senior regulatory, policy, legal or operational role, ideally within local government and/or a complex regulatory environment.
• Demonstrated experience or demonstrated ability to lead end-to-end bylaw and/or policy development and review, including drafting and implementation.
• Proven ability to translate legislation into practical, operational outcomes, including processes and guidance.
• Strong working knowledge of relevant legislation and regulatory frameworks (including RMA).
• Experience supporting or working alongside compliance, investigations and enforcement activities.
• Proven ability to use data and evidence to inform decision-making and provide practical, well-reasoned advice.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain momentum, with a hands-on, delivery-focused approach.
• Strong influencing and relationship management skills, with the ability to work across teams without direct authority.
• Excellent written communication skills, including preparation of formal policy and briefing documents.
• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to work collaboratively across teams.

Not sure if you tick every box? That's okay — if this role sounds like a good fit for your skills and aspirations, we'd love to hear from you.

What we can offer:

• Great work-life balance with flexibility
• Career coaching and development
• Life insurance
• Wellbeing and volunteer leave
• Three days paid leave between Christmas and New Year
• Two weeks paid Partners Leave
• Sick leave from day one
• Continued KiwiSaver contributions during savings suspension
• Discounts with local and national businesses

About us

Selwyn is one of the fastest-growing districts in New Zealand. We have a fantastic quality of life, great communities, and a thriving economy. Our Council works actively with residents to provide the services and facilities that help our communities to thrive and grow.

Our head office is based in Rolleston (only 25km from Christchurch), which offers an enviable family lifestyle, outstanding local facilities and an easy drive to the ski fields, rivers and hills that make up Canterbury's stunning landscape.

Our values are important to us and represent the way we work: · Be a good human · Be brave - Think differently · Better together- Make it happen for Selwyn.

We honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and we are committed to working with our Treaty partner to deliver on our obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

If you'd like to play a part in making Selwyn the best place to live, work and play, join us today!

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may take place prior to the close date. This means we reserve the right to close a job ad before the advertised close date.