Head of Development

He angitūtanga: The opportunity

Auckland Council’s Urban Development Office is looking for a Head of Development to join the Resilience and Infrastructure Division.

This role is responsible for delivering large-scale, complex, and high-profile regeneration and property development initiatives. Working alongside delivery teams, stakeholders, mana whenua and the private sector, you will maximize financial and strategic outcomes for Council’s portfolio, while honouring its obligations under te Tiriti o Waitangi, and delivering high-value, community-centric transformation.

You could expect to work on:

• Leading the end-to-end delivery lifecycle for major, mixed-use and regenerative developments — from feasibility through delivery
• Negotiating, structuring and managing complex development agreements to maximize financial, strategic, and community outcomes
• Providing strong, clear commercial and strategic guidance to enable well-informed decision making across the Council group
• Collaborating with colleagues and stakeholders across design, planning, delivery, portfolio, and governance to enable fully integrated, place-specific outcomes
• Managing financial and delivery risk to enable strong and realistic commercial outcomes
• Maintaining strong relationships with mana whenua, government, and private-sector stakeholders — reflecting their perspectives and delivering shared value

He kōrero mōu: About you

This role requires deep commercial expertise, strong leadership, and political acumen. You’re a forward-thinking, adaptable, and resilient leader who can cut through complexity and enable delivery in a high-profile, frequently scrutinised environment.

We are looking for someone with:

• Proven experience leading large-scale commercial or mixed-use developments in a complex, political setting
• Excellent commercial judgment and financial acumen, with a strong understanding of funding structures, delivery mechanisms, and risk management
• The ability to collaborate effectively across stakeholders and internal teams, navigating competing priorities while delivering strong outcomes
• Experience working in a culturally sensitive context, honouring te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations and delivering outcomes that reflect community aspirations
• An adaptable, innovative, and results-oriented approach, someone who maintains momentum and drives delivery in a dynamic and evolving setting
• A strong network within the development, government, and commercial sectors; with credibility, maturity, and interpersonal expertise

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou: What we offer

This is a rare opportunity to transform Auckland’s built environment - leading projects that enable more connected, sustainable, and inclusive communities. You’ll work alongside passionate leaders and a dedicated team of experts, all committed to delivering meaningful change for Tāmaki Makaurau. 

As a senior leader, you’ll also help shape an inclusive, outcomes-focused culture across Auckland Council—championing collaboration, innovation and strong public value in everything we do. 
Ehara taku toa, he takitahi, he toa takitini – My success is not mine alone, but the success of many. 

Tono Mai: Apply Now!

You can find the position description here: Head of Development PD (1).pdf - Google Drive  
Applications close: Sunday, 3 August 2025

#workingforauckland #aucklandcouncil #urbanregeneration #leadership

Auckland Council is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and we are committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application to assist you through the recruitment process.