About the role
We are seeking a Community Lead to join our Predator Free South Westland (PFSW) project based in Franz Josef Glacier. This is a full-time position that will be pivotal in building and maintaining strong relationships with local communities, iwi, landowners, and stakeholders in the region.
As Community Lead, you will be responsible for developing and delivering community engagement strategies that support ZIP's conservation objectives. This role is essential to ensuring that our predator control and ecosystem restoration work is grounded in community values, local knowledge, and collaborative partnerships. You will work across both operational and strategic initiatives, serving as a key bridge between ZIP's conservation work and the communities we serve.
Key responsibilities
Lead the community team (2-3 staff)
Build and nurture relationships with local communities, iwi, landowners, farmers, tourism operators and other key stakeholders
Coordinate community consultation processes and ensure meaningful participation in conservation planning and implementation
Ensure confidential information is managed appropriately
Gather feedback and insights from communities to inform programme development and continuously improve engagement approaches
Work collaboratively with ZIP teams to integrate community perspectives into operational planning and decision-making
Bring the social perspective to operational planning
Establish and nurture strong relationships with landowners to secure necessary property access and permissions for achieving PFSW objectives
Ensure the team gather high-quality data and make it easy for others to access and use this information for planning
About you
Demonstrated experience in community development, community engagement or stakeholder relations, ideally within conservation, environmental or community-focused organisations
Landowner Engagement: Exhibits openness to understanding and addressing landowner concerns to facilitate the successful delivery of PFSW work
Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with diverse audiences and build trust across different community groups
Experience working with iwi, Māori communities or in te ao Māori contexts, with understanding of partnership principles and cultural responsiveness
Proven ability to design and deliver community programmes, events and engagement initiatives that achieve measurable outcomes
Project management skills with the capacity to manage multiple engagement activities and initiatives simultaneously
Knowledge of conservation, environmental management or ecological restoration
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to tailor messaging for different audiences
Ability to work independently whilst collaborating effectively with team members and external partners
Problem-solving mindset and adaptability to respond to changing community needs and circumstances
Desirable: Experience in the West Coast region, knowledge of local conservation issues, or familiarity with tourism and rural communities
Team Leadership & Collaboration: Demonstrates strong team leadership by fostering collaboration, supporting and developing team members, encouraging open communication, and leading by example
What we offer
We offer a competitive salary package and the opportunity to make a tangible difference to conservation outcomes in one of New Zealand's most iconic regions. You will work with a dedicated, passionate team committed to environmental protection and community collaboration. We provide a supportive work environment that values professional development and encourages team members to build their expertise in conservation and community engagement.
We recognise the importance of work-life balance and flexibility where possible. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all team members feel valued and supported. We welcome discussions about any adjustments or support you may require to succeed in this role. As an equal opportunities employer, we actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and identities.
About us
Zero Invasive Predators (ZIP) is working to protect native taonga and restore te taiao (nature) by removing invasive predators across mainland Aotearoa. ZIP is adapting and refining elimination approaches to completely remove predators within the context of three landscape scale projects: Predator Free South Westland (PFSW), Te Manahuna Aoraki Project (TMAP) and Predator Free Rakiura (PFR).
Our culture prioritises people – our team, conservation partners and other stakeholders – as our number one priority. We are caring, connected, empowered and innovative, keeping people safe, delivering rapid prototypes and experimenting, communicating openly, creating accessible solutions that work well, investing strategically, and striving for continuous improvement.
How to apply
Apply via Seek by 12/11/2026.
All applicants must be eligible to work in New Zealand.
For more information, please email your questions to careers@zip.org.nz, providing your name and a contact phone number.
Accepting applications until 12/11/2026.