General Manager Commercial and Property

Auckland Council holds a property and commercial asset portfolio valued at $70 billion. This is one of the largest and most consequential public asset bases in New Zealand, and how it is managed has a direct bearing on the council's financial sustainability and on the value Aucklanders receive from the assets they collectively own.

We are looking for a General Manager Commercial and Property to provide enterprise level strategic leadership across this portfolio. This is a role for a genuinely commercial leader, someone who can grow non rates revenue, lift the performance of our property holdings, and bring rigour and discipline to how we invest in and manage public assets, while never losing sight of the social, cultural and intergenerational outcomes those assets need to deliver.

You will lead enhanced commercial capability and thinking across the council group, building strategic partnerships with iwi, and with public and private sector organisations. Your expertise and experience will ensure that quality advice is provided to elected members so that decisions about publicly owned property are transparent, well informed and forward looking.

What you will be accountable for

• Providing strategic leadership across the council group as we build a centre of excellence for the $70 bn property portfolio management and best practice.
• Managing the council's commercial property portfolio with a focus on property as a genuine strategic enabler, through better data, information, analysis and advice across the group.
• Lifting overall value from the group property portfolio, including supplier relationships, performance against lease revenue targets and proceeds from the disposal of surplus property.
• Championing commercial outcomes, including improving yield and building the council's reputation as a strong and reputable commercial operator.
• Delivering researched, disciplined and high-quality advice that recognises multiple stakeholder priorities enabling robust and timely decision making.

What you will bring

• A relevant tertiary qualification in Business Administration, Property, Finance or Commercial Law.
• Executive experience leading large diverse teams driving commercial strategy development and execution within a large, complex organisation.
• Deep expertise across property acquisition, leasing, disposal and asset lifecycle management with the ability to use best practice to develop and deliver plans.
• A track record of driving revenue and yield enhancement for large commercial operations, understanding where there is opportunity for efficiency, yield enhancement and of negotiating and closing high value property transactions.
• The ability to lead organisational change, build talent, lift commercial capability and create a high performing team.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, including advising elected members, working alongside iwi partners, and fronting media and community forums.
• The judgement to draw on data, internal knowledge and external expert advice to optimise a large and complex property portfolio aligned with Auckland Council strategy and plans.

About us

This role sits within Kāhui Rangatira, our enterprise leadership group. As an enterprise leader you will be accountable for setting the direction for your department, prioritising resources and leading delivery in a way that contributes to the wider Group Plan. At te kaunihera, high performance is collective. It means being clear about direction, accountable together, and bringing Our Behaviours to life in a way that is grounded in Our Charter, so that our mahi genuinely makes a difference for Tāmaki Makaurau.

How to apply

If this sounds like the role for you, we would love to hear from you. 

Auckland Council is committed to being a diverse and inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities, and are happy to discuss any support or adjustments you may need through the recruitment process.

We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every requirement listed. What matters most is your ability to contribute to a purpose-driven environment where diverse experiences are valued. We know that transferable skills can come from experience gained from outside of work.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou: What we offer

At Auckland Council, you will join a dynamic, supportive environment where your mahi (work) will directly impact the lives of over 1.7 million Aucklanders. We offer flexible working conditions, a focus on well-being, and a culture of continuous improvement.

We are proud to be recognised for our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. We are accredited by GenderTick, a signatory of the Pride Pledge. These commitments reflect our ongoing efforts to create a workplace where all staff feel valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. 

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

Tono Mai: Apply Now!

Application close date: Thursday 6 August 11.59pm

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.