Fast-track Applications Manager

• Senior leadership role in a nationally significant regulatory programme 

• Influence high‑profile decisions with real conservation and public outcomes 

• Wellington‑based role with flexible working options 

Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa 

The Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) plays a key role in New Zealand’s Fast‑track consenting programme, providing expert advice and decision support on proposals with significant conservation, environmental and economic impacts. This work is delivered within tight statutory timeframes and under a high level of public and political scrutiny. 

He angitūtanga | About the role 

The Fast-track Applications Manager is a senior leadership role within DOC’s Fast-track function. The role leads the systems, processes and people that support DOC’s contribution to applications considered under the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024. 

This is a fast‑paced and complex role that works across conservation outcomes, regulatory advice and accelerated approvals. You will engage closely with central and local government, iwi, applicants, expert panels, and senior decision‑makers, including Ministers. 

You will provide system‑level leadership across DOC’s Fast‑track programme, looking across the full pipeline of applications to identify emerging risks and pressures, improve how work is delivered, and ensure DOC’s advice is timely, consistent and well‑informed. The work supported through this role helps protect environmental values while enabling well‑designed infrastructure, tourism and development projects to proceed. 

Applying deep understanding of consenting frameworks, DOC’s context and political acumen to provide critical analysis and assurance on high-risk applications and reports to expert panels 

The position will be focussed on: 

• Leading and improving DOC’s Fast‑track systems, processes and ways of working 

• Ensuring high‑quality, nationally consistent analysis and reporting on Fast‑track applications 

• Applying deep understanding of consenting frameworks, DOC’s context and political acumen to provide critical analysis and assurance on applications and reports to expert panels 

• Leading end-to-end critical assessment of fast-track applications, exercising expert judgement to triage applications with clear rationale and integrating scientific, technical, cultural and operational inputs into coherent advice 

• Leading and developing a capable, inclusive team, and engaging with Māori stakeholders regarding Fast‑track processes 

• Managing workloads, resources and delivery within statutory timeframes 

• Identifying and managing political, legal and reputational risk, including signing out medium to high‑risk reports 

• Leading clear and effective engagement with Ministers, stakeholders, applicants and partner agencies 

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience 

We are looking for a confident and credible leader with experience working in complex regulatory environments and confident making sound judgements under pressure. 

If you have some of the following, we are keen to hear from you: 

• Experience leading teams delivering complex, high‑volume regulatory or statutory work 

• Strong understanding of regulatory systems and consenting frameworks 

• Strong understanding of Fast-track and RMA processes and knowledge that supports credible evaluation of environmental risks and trade off.  

• Proven ability to identify and manage political, legal and reputational risk 

• Strong relationship management skills, with experience engaging senior leaders and decision‑makers 

• Sound financial and resource management skills, including procurement and oversight of specialist advisors 

Desirable: 

• Experience working in central government or complex public sector environments 

• Familiarity with Fast‑track or accelerated approvals processes 

Click here for the position description.

He aha ngā pāinga mōu? | What’s in it for you? 

DOC is committed to a culture where everyone can participate, thrive, and grow. We’re driven by our values and behaviours and are working towards being an organisation that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive by default.  

We also support flexible working arrangements for our kaimahi across Aotearoa, with options considered based on the role and in discussion with your leader. 

Staff benefits: Working at DOC 

Tonoa inaiānei | Apply now 

Apply online with your CV and cover letter outlining your relevant experience and motivation. We’re unable to accept emailed applications or provide feedback to applicants not shortlisted for interview.