Environmental Team Leader/Manager - Contaminated Land

With our long-serving contaminated land Senior Environmental Scientist approaching retirement, we are looking for an experienced Environmental Engineer or Environmental Scientist to step into a key leadership role and help shape the next chapter of our environmental discipline.

This is an exciting opportunity for a technically strong contaminated land professional who enjoys building client relationships, developing people, and delivering high-quality projects. Supported by our wider business, you will play a pivotal role in maintaining and growing the contaminated land team while continuing to work hands-on across a diverse range of projects.

If you're looking for a role where you can genuinely influence the direction of a service, mentor emerging professionals, and work on technically challenging projects, we'd love to hear from you.

About the Role

As our Environmental Team Leader / Manager, you will provide both technical and strategic leadership to our team.

You will be responsible for leading contaminated land projects, developing client relationships, mentoring staff, and driving the growth of the discipline. While this is a leadership role, it remains highly technical, and you will continue to be actively involved in project delivery and problem-solving.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and managing contaminated land investigations, assessments and remediation projects

• Developing and growing the contaminated land team

• Providing technical direction and mentorship

• Developing and maintaining strong client relationships and industry networks

• Identifying and securing new business opportunities

• Managing project delivery and budgets

• Preparing and reviewing technical Preliminary and Detailed Site Investigations, Environmental Management and Remedial Action Plans and Site Validation Reports

• Working collaboratively with our geotechnical, civil and structural teams to deliver integrated project outcomes

• Supporting the strategic growth and direction of the environmental services offering

What We Offer

This is a rare opportunity to step into a genuine leadership role within an established and respected multi-disciplinary consultancy. With succession planning already underway, you will have the autonomy and support to shape the future direction of our contaminated land service, grow our team, and influence the strategic growth of the wider environmental business. You will work alongside experienced geotechnical, civil, structural and architecture professionals on a diverse range of technically challenging projects across residential, industrial and commercial developments.

We offer a competitive remuneration package, flexible working arrangements, ongoing professional development, and a collaborative culture that values initiative, innovation and technical excellence.

About You

You are an experienced contaminated land professional who combines strong technical capability with a passion for client relationships and team development.

You will bring:

• A tertiary qualification in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Geology, Geoscience or a related discipline

• Minimum 8+ years' experience in contaminated land consulting, with senior-level project management experience

• Current CEnvP certification and/or Certified Practitioner – Contaminated Sites Specialisation (CEnvP CS)

• Demonstrated experience leading contaminated land investigations, risk assessments and remediation projects

• Strong understanding of contaminated land legislation, guidelines and regulatory frameworks

• Proven experience managing client relationships and generating repeat business

• An established professional network and business development capability will be highly regarded

• Experience mentoring and developing technical staff

• Excellent communication, report writing and stakeholder management skills

• Strong commercial awareness and the ability to manage project performance and profitability

• A collaborative approach and the ability to work effectively across multi-disciplinary teams

Why Join Us?

This is more than a technical role. It is an opportunity to take ownership of an established contaminated land service, build a team around you, strengthen client relationships and help shape the future direction of our environmental business.

If you're looking for a leadership role where you can make a lasting impact while remaining involved in interesting and challenging technical work, we'd love to hear from you.

About us

Kirk Roberts Consulting is a multi-disciplinary consultancy providing Structural, Geotechnical, Fire, Civil and Environmental Engineering Services, plus Architecture and Engineering Software to a range of clients across New Zealand, from our offices in Christchurch, Queenstown, Auckland, Hamilton, and Tauranga.

At Kirk Roberts the heart of our business is innovation and finding a better way is why we exist. Our company was founded to challenge the norm and push boundaries, so we can bring our clients advanced engineering, project management and software solutions that drive efficiencies.

To apply

Please send us your latest CV and covering letter, and you are welcome to include any other documents you feel relevant to your application. Please note, that all applicants must be domiciled in New Zealand and be eligible for permanent employment in NZ, with either a NZ Passport, residency, or current work visa.