Vincent Smith
Timaru,CAN
Summary
Experienced and collaborative professional, with a background in sustainable resource use with interests in the community and the environment, agriculture, and decarbonisation. Proven multi-disciplinary experience in delivering outcomes, with strong strategic, analytical and coordination abilities, together with excellent relationship-building skills. Strong leader and problem-solver dedicated to streamlining operations to decrease costs and promote organizational efficiency. Uses independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Executive Officer
West Coast Regional Council
01.2020 - 07.2024
- Reporting to the Chairman, providing advice on the operation of the organisation towards the delivery of services within the bounds of the law
- Day-to-day leadership of staff at multiple scales in accordance with delegations and values – organisation, directorates, and team.
- Reviewed individual department performance and worked with leadership to improve processes, procedures, and practices.
- Managed financial, operational and human resources to optimize business performance.
- Established and maintained strong relationships with customers, vendors and strategic partners.
- Monitored key business risks and established risk management procedures.
General Manager - Policy, Planning and Regulatory Services
Environment Southland
01.2013 - 01.2021
- Reporting to the Chief Executive, providing leadership to 60 staff who undertook regulatory (strategy, planning, consents & compliance), regional land transport and maritime activities.
Regional Planning Manager
Environment Canterbury
01.2006
- Reporting to the Director, providing leadership to 28 staff responsible for the development of Canterbury’s and the Chatham Islands' regional natural and physical resource plans and strategies.
Team Leader District Planning Liaison
Environment Canterbury
01.2004
Senior Planner
Transit New Zealand
01.2002
Team Leader Policy & Consents
Selwyn District Council
01.2001
Consents Planner
Hawkes Bay Regional Council
01.1996
Golfcourse Greenkeeper
Russley Golf Course
01.1990
Apprentice Golfcourse Greenkeeper
Russley Golf Course
01.1986
Director / Contractor
Envira Consulting Limited
01.2021 - Current
- Providing independent advice to clients, including central and local government.
Flood Recovery Manager
Buller District Council
08.2024 - 08.2024
- Prepared the Flood Recovery Programme (Operational Strategy), 2022 long term and exit, to scale back and transfer flood recovery activities to social agencies for ongoing delivery
- Developed the Infrastructure Recovery project financial, reporting, and review frameworks to oversee the delivery of $18.6M of National Emergency Management Authority funding
- Led the Westport Water Supply infrastructure resiliency business case to the Department of Internal Affairs for $12.6M
- Programme managed Buller District Council's 3-Water recovery programme that contracted and delivered $12M of works
- Project managed the collection, storage, and disposal of 2,700 tonnes of flood-affected waste from the Westport 2021 floods to landfill ahead of time and under budget by $600,000
- Prepared the Buller District Flood Recovery Programme (Operational Strategy), 2021 short and intermediate term, to coordinate the council and the flood recovery teams’ activities to advance the community recovery in a coordinated and efficient manner
- Prepared and lodged Westland District Council’s (May/June 22) Racecourse Development RFP to the Kainga Ora Infrastructure Acceleration Fund securing $3.8M.
Chief Executive Officer
Renew Energy Limited
07.2024 - 05.2024
- Provided financial, operational, strategic, and waste management advice to the Board
- Built and maintained municipal solid waste supply relationships, contracted suppliers, and developed a waste delivery framework.
Education
Masters of Business Administration -
Canterbury University
01.2016
Post Graduate Certificate in Executive Management -
Otago University
01.2011
Bachelor of Resource Studies - Air, Land & Water (Hons) -
Lincoln University
01.1996
Diploma of Agricultural Science – Soil Science -
Massey University
01.1990
Skills
- Relationships: collaborative by nature and enjoys building positive and beneficial relationships
- Leadership: skilled in developing, engaging, and encouraging staff through empowerment and trust
- Strategic thinking: demonstrated ability to understand problems from multiple perspectives whilst designing and implementing fit-for-purpose solutions
- Commercial acumen: a strong record of developing and delivering projects that advance the organisation's strategies and objectives, towards meeting and exceeding customers' expectations
- Financial: co-developed and implemented financial frameworks that link risk with control to ensure delivery with accurate and effective reporting, analysis, and forecasting
- Policy: multi-disciplinary district, regional and central government policy development experience - plans, strategies, and bylaws; freshwater, waste management, and natural hazard recovery
- Strategy: proven ability to design and implement organisational, operational, and regulatory strategies
References
On request
Timeline
Flood Recovery Manager
Buller District Council
08.2024 - 08.2024
Chief Executive Officer
Renew Energy Limited
07.2024 - 05.2024
Director / Contractor
Envira Consulting Limited
01.2021 - Current
Chief Executive Officer
West Coast Regional Council
01.2020 - 07.2024
General Manager - Policy, Planning and Regulatory Services
Environment Southland
01.2013 - 01.2021
Regional Planning Manager
Environment Canterbury
01.2006
Team Leader District Planning Liaison
Environment Canterbury
01.2004
Senior Planner
Transit New Zealand
01.2002
Team Leader Policy & Consents
Selwyn District Council
01.2001
Consents Planner
Hawkes Bay Regional Council
01.1996
Golfcourse Greenkeeper
Russley Golf Course
01.1990
Apprentice Golfcourse Greenkeeper
Russley Golf Course
01.1986
Masters of Business Administration -
Canterbury University
Post Graduate Certificate in Executive Management -
Otago University
Bachelor of Resource Studies - Air, Land & Water (Hons) -
Lincoln University
Diploma of Agricultural Science – Soil Science -
Massey University
Similar Profiles
Chris HaydenChris Hayden
Predator Control Foreman at West Coast Regional Council Vector ServicesPredator Control Foreman at West Coast Regional Council Vector Services
Trevor HudsonTrevor Hudson
Labourer at fraser coast regional councilLabourer at fraser coast regional council
Jayson WoneJayson Wone
Civil Construction Worker at Cassowary Coast Regional CouncilCivil Construction Worker at Cassowary Coast Regional Council