Senior Legal Counsel - Property

• 12-month fixed term parental cover as Senior legal counsel within the Property Law team.

• Hybrid role with 3 days onsite offering flexibility 

• Join one of New Zealand’s largest and most sophisticated in-house legal teams

He angitūtanga: The opportunity

We are seeking Senior Legal Counsel to join our Property Law team, working on some of Auckland’s most significant and visible property projects. This is a 12-month fixed-term opportunity covering parental leave. While the role is full-time, we are open to discussing part-time arrangements for the right candidate.

The role is embedded within a collaborative team of 14 property lawyers and legal executives within Ngā Ratonga Ture | Legal Services, reporting to the Associate General Counsel (Property).

Based in Auckland’s city centre, the role offers flexibility to work from home or another Auckland Council hub, supporting a healthy balance between collaboration and flexibility.

Te hiranga o tēnei mahi: Why this role matters

This is a unique opportunity to work on some of Auckland's most significant property projects, applying your expertise across a broad range of public and commercial property matters that help shape the future of Tāmaki Makaurau. Embedded within a highly regarded team of property law specialists, you will provide strategic legal advice on varied and high-profile matters that deliver lasting benefits for Auckland's communities, infrastructure, and growth.

Please review the position description attached here.

The salary range for this position is $130,000 - $150,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience. Auckland Council also offers a range of benefits, flexible working arrangements, and the opportunity to contribute to projects that have a lasting impact on Auckland and its communities.

Ngā kawenga matua: Key responsibilities

You will engage with senior leaders, elected members, and key decision-makers across the Council group, providing trusted advice that supports priorities. A large portion of the team’s work sits at the intersection of property law, governance, risk, and strategic decision-making, offering the opportunity to influence outcomes on matters that can be both legally complex and highly visible.  A strong background in leasing would be advantageous in this role.

You can expect exposure to:

• Climate response initiatives, including the future use and management of nearly 1,200 residential properties acquired following the 2023 severe weather events.

• Projects involving Auckland's waterfront, regional parks, community facilities, co-management arrangements with iwi, economic development initiatives, major events, marae developments, and commercial and residential developments.

• Advising on acquisitions, disposals, developments, leasing, licensing, easements, encumbrances and a wide range of statutory property matters.

• Transport-related property matters, including road stoppings, infrastructure projects, encroachments, acquisitions and disposals.

He kōrero mōu: About you

There is no single "right" reason to consider this opportunity. You may be looking to transition in-house, return to Aotearoa from overseas, re-enter the workforce, relocate to Tāmaki Makaurau, or simply take on a role that offers exceptional variety, meaningful work, and flexibility.

You are an experienced property lawyer with significant leasing, transactional and advisory expertise, gained in private practice, an in-house legal team, or the public sector. You bring strong technical capability across a broad range of property matters and are comfortable navigating intersecting legal, commercial, and organisational considerations.

Comfortable operating in changing and politically sensitive environments, you draw on sound judgement, strong legal acumen, and influencing skills to navigate competing priorities, manage risk, and achieve positive outcomes. 

You excel at building collaborative relationships and providing strategic, solutions-focused advice that supports effective decision-making across the organisation. As a senior member of the team, you will demonstrate leadership within your area of expertise, proactively identifying opportunities to enhance legal service delivery, drive best practice, and contribute to strategic organisational outcomes. 

While experience in-house or within local government would be advantageous, it is not essential. What matters most is your ability to provide high-quality property law advice, build strong stakeholder relationships, and navigate complex legal issues with confidence and sound judgement.

We will be looking for specific experience with:

• A relevant tertiary qualification in law and a current practising certification.

• At least 5 – 8 years post-qualification experience in property law, including significant leasing, transactional and advisory experience gained in private practice, an in-house legal team, or the public sector.

• Experience advising on leasing, advisory, acquisitions, disposals, , development and infrastructure projects, and other property law matters, with the ability to identify and manage legal risk while delivering pragmatic outcomes.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou: What we offer

Auckland Council is one of New Zealand's largest property owners and managers, creating opportunities for legal work that is difficult to replicate elsewhere.

Legal Services is an in-house team of more than 80 lawyers and legal executives across six specialist teams: Property, Commercial, Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Regulatory, Enforcement and Public Law. Together, we help Auckland Council do the right thing, the right way, for an Auckland we can all be proud of.

Our Property Law team is highly collaborative, generous with its knowledge and genuinely enjoys working together. You'll work alongside experienced lawyers and legal executives recognised for their expertise across a broad range of property and public sector matters.

We offer:

• Sophisticated and genuinely interesting legal work.
• A supportive and high-performing team environment.
• Flexibility in how and where you work.
• Direct access to significant projects and senior decision-makers.
• The opportunity to broaden your experience across a uniquely diverse property portfolio.
• A workplace that values inclusion, learning, wellbeing and professional growth.

Together, we can create a Tāmaki Makaurau we can all be proud of. As part of our organisation, please view a range of our: benefits.

If you're looking for a role where your legal expertise can make a tangible difference to Auckland and its communities, we'd love to hear from you.

Tono Mai: Apply Now!

Application close date: Monday 23rd November at midnight

We are reviewing applications on a rolling basis and may close this advert earlier than initially advertised. We will update the advert accordingly, so please check back regularly for any changes.

Please call Kathryn Hickling, Associate General Counsel (Property) on 021 969 914 if you want to discuss the role before applying. We'd love to hear from you.

Auckland Council is an equal opportunity employer. We serve the diverse communities of Tāmaki Makaurau and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds - regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, educational background, or religious beliefs. We also welcome applications from our Rainbow communities as well as disabled and neurodivergent people. We are committed to making our hiring process accessible to everyone. If you require any support or adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know.