POSITION DESCRIPTION | SENIOR PLANNER Position Senior Planner Reports to # Reports 0 Indirect Head of Planning & Sustainability Direct Term 0 Location Permanent Queenstown Airport Key relationships • Executive Leadership Committee • Head of Property • Infrastructure - Programme and Project Managers • External Consultants Queenstown Airport proudly connects our home with Aotearoa New Zealand and the world. We operate world-class infrastructure, provide strong aviation networks, and strive to deliver experiences beyond our customers’ and communities’ expectations. Our vision is to be an innovative airport that people love to travel through, and the community takes pride in. Queenstown Airport Corporation (QAC) owns and operates Queenstown Airport and manages day-to-day operations at Wānaka Airport on behalf of the owner, Queenstown Lakes District Council under a Management Services Agreement (MSA). HOW WE WORK TOGETHER As a small organisation with clearly articulated and aspirational plans, our ability to be agile, to flex and adapt quickly as priorities and needs change, will be fundamental to our success. We will need to consistently strive to be the best version of ourselves, recognising when we need to work collaboratively with others in order to deliver on our commitments. August 2026 POSITION DESCRIPTION | SENIOR PLANNER WHY THIS JOB EXISTS The Senior Planner is QAC's lead statutory planning specialist, responsible for managing complex planning, designation, consenting and regulatory processes that support the operation, growth and long-term development of Queenstown Airport. The role provides expert planning advice across airport infrastructure, operational and property development projects, ensuring appropriate statutory pathways are identified, regulatory approvals are secured, and planning risks are effectively managed. Working closely with the Head of Planning & Sustainability, the Senior Planner leads the delivery of QAC's statutory planning work programme and represents the organisation in planning processes, hearings, mediations and stakeholder engagements. The role plays a critical part in protecting QAC's operational capability, strategic land use interests and future development opportunities. KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES Statutory Planning & Consenting • Lead the planning and consenting workstreams associated with airport infrastructure, operational and property development projects. • Manage the preparation and lodgement of resource consent applications, Notices of Requirement, Outline Plans and other statutory approvals. • Develop and implement consenting strategies to support project delivery objectives and timeframes. • Ensure statutory approvals are secured in a timely and efficient manner. • Manage compliance with resource consent conditions, designation requirements and planning obligations. • Identify planning risks and develop appropriate mitigation strategies. Designations & Regulatory Frameworks • Lead statutory processes associated with QAC's designations and Notices of Requirement. • Support the implementation of the Airport Master Plan through the delivery of statutory planning initiatives. • Provide technical planning input to infrastructure development, airport operations and property development programmes. • Monitor changes in planning legislation, policy and case law and advise on implications for QAC projects and operations. August 2026 POSITION DESCRIPTION | SENIOR PLANNER • Contribute technical expertise to strategic planning initiatives led by the Head of Planning & Sustainability. Planning Policy & Legislative Reform • Lead technical analysis of proposed planning legislation, policy statements, regional plans and district plans. • Prepare submissions on planning and resource management matters affecting airport operations and future development. • Provide technical input into QAC's participation in local, regional and central government policy processes. • Support planning advocacy initiatives through preparation of evidence, technical assessments and policy analysis. • Monitor emerging planning trends and regulatory developments relevant to airport operations and infrastructure. Hearings, Mediation & Expert Representation • Represent QAC in planning hearings, mediations, expert conferencing and statutory consultation processes. • Prepare corporate evidence, and facilitate the development of technical reports and supporting documentation. • Coordinate and manage specialist planning, legal and technical advisers engaged by QAC. • Lead planning negotiations with councils, applicants and other stakeholders where delegated. • Support the Head of Planning & Sustainability in complex or high-profile statutory processes. Third-Party Development Proposals • Assess third-party development and infrastructure proposals that may affect airport operations, safeguarding requirements, strategic land use outcomes or future development opportunities. • Prepare planning assessments and recommendations regarding QAC's position on third party applications. • Coordinate planning responses, submissions, objections and affected-party approvals as required. • Engage with applicants, consultants, regulators and council officers regarding planning matters affecting QAC's interests. Stakeholder Engagement • Develop and maintain effective working relationships with local authorities, government agencies, consultants and industry stakeholders. August 2026 POSITION DESCRIPTION | SENIOR PLANNER • Act as a key point of contact for planning-related matters with regulatory agencies and planning professionals. • Provide planning advice and support to project teams and internal stakeholders. • Foster constructive working relationships which support timely and effective planning outcomes. Technical Leadership • Act as QAC's technical planning specialist. • Lead and coordinate external planning consultants, technical experts and specialist advisers. • Provide professional mentorship and guidance on statutory planning matters. • Maintain contemporary knowledge of planning legislation, case law and industry best practice. • Promote consistent and high-quality planning practice across QAC projects and programmes. HEALTH, SAFETY & WELLBEING Queenstown Airport’s vision is to be a ‘zero harm’ workplace for those who visit and work within our airport community, including employees, contractors, and visitors. The Senior Planner will: • demonstrate personal leadership by always engaging in safe behaviour and adhering to all procedures, rules, and regulations relating to their work, • adopt safe work practices that protect the health, safety, and security of themselves, other employees, contractors, and visitors, • report all near-misses, accidents, injuries, and health, safety, and security concerns promptly and accurately to an appropriate manager, • to cooperate fully with any rehabilitation plan where you are injured or become ill, to ensure a prompt return to work. SUCCESS FACTORS, WHO ARE YOU? Experience & Expertise • Minimum 8-10 years' experience in statutory planning, resource management, infrastructure planning or environmental planning. • Significant experience managing complex resource consent, designation and planning approval processes. • Demonstrated experience preparing planning assessments, submissions and expert or corporate evidence. • Experience participating in hearings, mediations and stakeholder negotiations. August 2026 POSITION DESCRIPTION | SENIOR PLANNER • Proven ability to manage multiple complex projects and competing priorities. • Experience engaging effectively with councils, regulators, specialist consultants and infrastructure stakeholders. • Experience within aviation, infrastructure, utilities, transport or major development environments would be highly advantageous. Knowledge • Advanced knowledge of New Zealand resource management and planning legislation. • Strong understanding of district planning, regional planning and designation processes. • Sound knowledge of environmental planning and regulatory compliance requirements. • Understanding of airport operations, infrastructure planning or aviation safeguarding principles is desirable. Skills & Attributes • Exceptional analytical and technical planning capability. • Strong written advocacy, report writing and submission preparation skills. • Highly developed stakeholder engagement and influencing skills. • Effective negotiation and conflict-resolution capability. • Strong professional judgement and decision-making ability. • High levels of accountability, initiative and integrity. • Ability to work independently while contributing positively within a collaborative team environment. DECISION MAKING AUTHORITY The Senior Planner operates with a high degree of autonomy within their area of professional expertise and is accountable for: • Determining appropriate consenting and statutory approval pathways for projects. • Managing planning programmes and consultant performance. • Recommending planning strategies and regulatory approaches. • Assessing planning risks and identifying mitigation measures. • Representing QAC in planning processes and technical forums. • Escalating strategic, reputational or enterprise-level risks to the Head of Planning & Sustainability.
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