Data & Insights Manager

Your next adventure: Rotorua Lakes Council beckons!

Are you seeking an adventure that combines professional growth with community enrichment? Look no further than Te Kaunihera o ngā Roto o Rotorua | Rotorua Lakes Council. With a team of just under 400 staff, we're the driving force behind iconic projects that define the Rotorua landscape – from the Sir Howard Morrison Centre to the Rotorua Lakefront Redevelopment. Immerse yourself in the unique blend of nature and culture that Rotorua offers, with lakeside tranquility, world-class mountain biking, and captivating geothermal wonders. Our commitment to biculturalism through collaboration with Te Arawa, our local iwi, is hugely important as is your appreciation for Māori values, te reo, and tikanga Māori. Join us and embark on a journey where your passion meets purpose.
Whakarongo ki te Tūī e karanga mai ana, Tihei Mauriora e! Hear the call of the Tūī, Behold there is life!

Lead the Future of Data-Driven Decision Making in Rotorua

Rotorua Lakes Council is on the lookout for a visionary Data & Insights Manager to lead our dynamic team of Data and GIS specialists. This is more than a leadership role—it’s a strategic opportunity to harness the full potential of data and geospatial intelligence to shape the future of our district.

With a population of around 70,000 and millions of visitors annually, Rotorua is a bicultural city deeply rooted in Te Arawa heritage. We celebrate diversity, innovation, and community impact—and we’re striving to be one of the most forward-thinking councils in Aotearoa.

Your Mission: Empower Through Data & GIS
As our Data & Insights Manager, you’ll be at the forefront of embedding analytics and spatial intelligence into every layer of council decision-making. You’ll:
Champion a data-driven culture across the organization, integrating analytics into strategic and operational planning.
Lead GIS innovation, managing the development of spatial databases and tools to deliver powerful geospatial visualizations and location-based insights.
Translate complex data into actionable intelligence, guiding senior leaders with clear, impactful dashboards, reports, and KPIs.
Drive spatial analysis to support service delivery, infrastructure planning, environmental monitoring, and community engagement.
Foster cross-functional collaboration, aligning data initiatives with IT, finance, operations, and more.
Promote data literacy and self-service analytics, empowering teams to make informed decisions.
Ensure robust data governance, maintaining high standards of privacy, security, and quality.
What You Bring

We’re seeking a strategic thinker and hands-on leader with:
A relevant tertiary qualification and 5–10 years’ experience leading Data and Analytics teams.
Proven expertise in analytics strategy, BI solutions, and advanced GIS technologies (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS, spatial databases).
Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
A passion for using data and spatial insights to improve community outcomes.
Experience managing vendors and supporting organizational change.
Knowledge of local government operations is a plus.
Why Rotorua Lakes Council?
Be part of a high-performing, values-driven organization.
Work in a bicultural city with strong Te Arawa foundations.
Collaborate with passionate professionals and make a real impact on community outcomes.
Enjoy a supportive environment that prioritizes health, safety, and well-being.
Help shape a data-empowered future for local governance.
Ready to lead with insight and elevate the role of Data including Spatial in local government?

Apply now to join us in creating a smarter, more data-driven future for Rotorua Lakes Council and our community.

This vacancy closes 25 August 2025
Please click here to view position description

Te Kaunihera o nga Roto o Rotorua (Rotorua Lakes Council) is committed to working in partnership with Te Arawa, our local iwi. We aspire to being a bicultural organisation and we value staff who speak te reo Maori, have an appreciation of Maori values, and a working knowledge of tikanga Maori.
Sound like you? Click the Apply Now button below.