Events Lead

Role overview

This fixed-term Events Lead position sits within Hutt City Council’s newly established events function, created as part of the Council’s Long Term Plan. The role exists to support the Council’s goal of working alongside industry to attract and deliver events in Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt. The appointment runs until 30 June 2027 and is linked to an internal secondment arrangement.

The Council has signalled that Lower Hutt is open for business and is looking to deepen its relationships with promoters and event organisers to bring more events into the city. A new Events Strategy was adopted in July 2025, and the team has already made strong progress. The Events Lead will help sustain that momentum, strengthen outcomes, and shape new initiatives for ongoing improvement.

Alongside major event attraction and partnership work, the team also plays a role in overseeing event funding for smaller community events. As a major supporter of community events, Council will continue to rely on this function as an important part of its wider work.

What you will do

• Shape and advance the city’s event strategy while building productive partnerships.
• Support efforts to secure major events for Lower Hutt.
• Help create engaging experiences for residents, visitors and event attendees.
• Lead and guide people through change, while supporting continuous improvement.
• Manage budgets, funding activity and contractual relationships with confidence.
• Use data and insights to track performance, support decisions and report results.
• Work closely with Council teams, industry partners, community stakeholders and external organisations.

About you

We are seeking a seasoned leader who has successfully led people, developed strategic partnerships and delivered both commercial and community outcomes. Industry-specific events experience would be helpful, but the stronger indicator of success is your ability to collaborate effectively with partners, stakeholders and colleagues toward shared goals.

You should be commercially minded, comfortable handling budgets and funding programmes, and experienced in dealing with contract-based relationships. You will need to think strategically, turn plans into action, and support a team through improvement and change.

Strong communication, negotiation and project management skills are important, as is the ability to influence a wide range of stakeholders. Experience in local government, economic development, destination management or a similarly complex stakeholder setting would be an advantage.

About Hutt City Council

Hutt City Council’s vision is to create a connected, resilient and inclusive city where people can thrive. The organisation provides services, facilities and programmes for residents and visitors, and its work is guided by the values of manaakitanga, te hononga and kia kaha, alongside its partnership with Mana Whenua.

The role is part of an organisation that aims to make a meaningful difference to Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt and its communities every day.

Additional information

This is a fixed-term contract running until 30 June 2027. The deadline to apply is 11.55pm on Tuesday 21 July 2026. Applications may be reviewed before the closing date, so early applications are encouraged. The Council may withdraw the advertisement at any time.

Information about employee rewards and benefits is available through the Council’s total rewards information page.

Tūhono mai. Come join us.