Jesse Burgess
Avonhead,NZ
Summary
I am an experienced manager and strategic planning professional with strong leadership, and relationship-building skills. I have extensive experience in leading teams and driving collaborative efforts to achieve impactful outcomes for our communities through critical thinking and strategic insight.
I have a strong knowledge of local and regional government principles and processes, and actively promote best practice in the government sector whilst looking for innovative ways to improve our systems and structures. I work collaboratively at the local, regional and central government levels, and in partnership with Papatipu Rūnanga and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, through strong and valued working relationships.
I have a strong understanding of the political environment and work comfortably at all levels of governance to advance Council’s strategic work programmes, deliver against strategic priorities and objectives of Council partner organisations, and the community at large, to achieve sustainable and long-term positive outcomes for the wider community.
Personally and professionally I highly value honesty, integrity, trust, respect and communication, and feel I have contributed positively to the overall growth and prosperity of the Canterbury region during my extensive career in local government.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Strategy Manager
Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury)
06.2020 - Current
- Manage the Strategic Programmes section within the Strategy and Planning Group, including 15 staff across two teams
- Develop strategies and plans for the areas of Urban Development, Transport, Air Quality, Climate Change and Community Resilience
- Support the development of Council’s strategic direction and Long-term and Annual Plans
- Lead the translation of Council strategy into priorities and directions for activities in Council core service areas of Community Preparedness and Response to Hazards (CP&RH) and Public Transport (PT). This includes strategic leadership of core service activities (through shaping future opportunities and work programmes), addressing strategic risks/focus areas and monitoring effectiveness
- Advise Directors and Councillors on the design, delivery and strategic risks of the CP&RH and PT core services, incorporating the expectations of strategic partners and communities
- Translate Council strategy into directions and priorities for the CP&RH and PT core services. This includes strategic work programmes and monitoring effectiveness
- Maintain oversight of the connections and dependencies of the CP&RH and PT core services activities across the organisation's functional Groups, through the application of a collaborative core service management approach
- Identify areas of misalignment both within and across the CP&RH and PT core services and recommend adjustments required to strategic direction or operational delivery
- Manage and maintain strategic relationships with key partners and stakeholders both internal and external, that enable and support the design and delivery of councils strategic direction
- Drive organisational agility through regular evaluation of changes in policy or external relationships and provide timely recommendations that respond to risks or opportunities
- Provide advice and progress updates on agreed milestones to the Director Strategy and Planning / Core Services Director(s) / Chief Executive / Councillors as required to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of desired strategic objectives and outcomes
- Collaborate with colleagues in the team and Senior Leaders across the organisation to ensure alignment across the CP&RH and PT core services work programmes and efficient use of resources against organisational priorities
- Contribute toward our effective, strong and valued relationships with all Papatipu Rünanga within the Canterbury rohe and Te Rünanga Ngäi Tahu to demonstrate our council's commitment to recognise and provide for the kaitiaki responsibility Ngäi Tahu has for the natural environment
- Liaise with key people in partner organisations throughout the region and in central government to ensure industry alignment and leadership of shared opportunities
- Engage with the broad range of relevant stakeholders and the community to ensure that work programmes reflect identified needs and opportunities
Acting Director Strategy and Planning
Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury)
09.2024 - 09.2024
- Manage the Strategy and Planning Group while the Director was on annual leave
- Attend Executive Leadership meetings
- Handle all aspects of the Group
Planning Manager
Selwyn District Council
05.2015 - 06.2020
- Promote excellence in the management of natural and physical resources throughout the District
- Provide overall direction and management of Council’s Strategy Planning, Policy Planning and Resource Consents teams within the Environmental Services Unit
- A total of 25 direct and indirect reports
- Develop strategic planning and policy documents in line with Council direction
- Respond to central and regional government policy direction
- Project sponsor for the Selwyn District Plan Review
- Provide strategic advice on environmental and management issues to the Executive Leadership Team and Council
- Represent the Council in varied situations including provision of feedback on proposed legislative changes that will affect Council
- Exhibit high standards of leadership and management in the Environmental Management area
- Develop and maintain a clear purpose for the team and clearly communicate the team member roles to achieve desired environmental outcomes
- Involvement in all aspects of Long Term Plan and Annual Plan development
Acting Environmental Services Manager
Selwyn District Council
01.2020 - 01.2020
- Manage the Strategy and Planning Group while the Director was on annual leave
- Attend Executive Leadership meetings
- Handle all aspects of the Group
Planning Team Leader
Christchurch City Council
06.2011 - 05.2015
- Leading a team of 11 planners in the Resource Consents Unit
- Project manage within the team a number of complex resource management consent applications dealing with a wide range of issues, whilst providing a high level of customer service and timely development outcomes to internal and external stakeholders
- Assess complex resource management consent applications and plans in accordance with legislation and Council policies including the Resource Management Act 1991, the Christchurch City Council City Plan, and other relevant local, regional and national planning legislation
- Involvement in the development of the Proposed Replacement Christchurch District Plan
- Develop and maintain a clear purpose for the team and clearly communicate the team member roles to achieve desired environmental outcomes
- Coach and performance manage team members to achieve individual, team and unit targets through setting clear targets and standards, through the provision of training, and through feedback mechanisms
- Lead performance reviews and development discussions with team members and ensure issues are discussed are resolved
- Delegate responsibility to team members in a consultative manner with clearly defined expectations
Education
Bachelor of Built Environment - Urban and Regional Planning
Queensland University of Technology
01.2001
High School Diploma -
Brisbane State High School
01.1997
Skills
- Strategic planning
- Strategic partnerships
- Collaboration
- Leading change
- Political nous
- Engaging and influencing
Affiliations
- SOLGM, 2016 - 2020
- NZPI, 2012 – 2020
Core Qualifications
- Bachelor of Built Environment majoring in Urban and Regional Planning, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia, 1998 - 2001
- Brisbane State High School, West End Campus – Brisbane, Australia, 1993 - 1997
Professional Development
- Chair Canterbury Climate Change Working Group, 2025
- Chair Canterbury Regional Energy Inventory Steering Group, 2024-25
- Chair Greater Christchurch Transport Managers Group, 2022-25
- Chair Canterbury Transport Officers Group, 2024-25
- Climate Change & Business Conference, 2022-24
- Chair Selwyn DC Health and Safety Governance Committee, 2015-20
- Culture by Design, 2018
- Leadership Pathways Programme, 2017
- Making Good Decision, 2016 & 2018 (refresher)
- Keystone Leadership Development Programme, 2014
- Glasers Collaborative Leadership, 2013
- Glasers Breakthrough Conflict, 2013
- Leadership@CCC, 2012
- NZPI Practical leadership for Planners, 2012
- NZPI Conference, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2016
Timeline
Acting Director Strategy and Planning
Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury)
09.2024 - 09.2024
Senior Strategy Manager
Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury)
06.2020 - Current
Acting Environmental Services Manager
Selwyn District Council
01.2020 - 01.2020
Planning Manager
Selwyn District Council
05.2015 - 06.2020
Planning Team Leader
Christchurch City Council
06.2011 - 05.2015
Bachelor of Built Environment - Urban and Regional Planning
Queensland University of Technology
High School Diploma -
Brisbane State High School
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