Infrastructure Funding Agreements Specialist

• Shape complex infrastructure agreements that deliver real city impact
• Lead commercial negotiations across major development projects
• Work in a high-trust, senior stakeholder environment
• Permanent full-time opportunity within Auckland Council

He angitūtanga: The opportunity

Auckland Council’s Infrastructure Investment and Phasing team has an opportunity for an Infrastructure Funding Agreements Specialist within the Infrastructure Funding & Agreements function.

This is a highly influential role at the interface of Council, developers, and infrastructure partners. You will lead the negotiation, development, drafting and execution of complex infrastructure funding agreements that enable Auckland’s growth while balancing risk, value for money, and delivery certainty for ratepayers.

This is a strategic and high-impact role where complex agreements are developed over time, requiring commercial judgement, collaboration, and sustained focus to deliver successful outcomes.

Day-to-day you could expect to:

• Lead, draft and facilitate negotiation of complex infrastructure funding agreements and contractual arrangements
• Provide expert commercial and contract advice across infrastructure and asset development projects
• Manage stakeholder expectations and ensure clarity of deliverables, timeframes, and obligations
• Assess feasibility, market evidence, risk, and commercial viability of development proposals
• Monitor contractual compliance while maintaining strong, constructive developer relationships
• Contribute to continuous improvement of funding agreement frameworks, methodology, and practice
• Provide reporting and insights on agreement progress, risks, and financial impacts

He kōrero mōu: About you

This role requires extensive experience in negotiating large-value contracts and infrastructure-related agreements, ideally within complex public or private sector environments where commercial judgement, resilience, and stakeholder influence are critical.

We are looking for someone with:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field
• 7+ years’ experience negotiating complex, high-value contracts
• 9+ years’ experience in land and infrastructure contracts and preceding negotiations
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to assess risk, feasibility, and value-for-money outcomes
• Proven ability to persist through complex negotiations and maintain momentum over extended timeframes
• Strong stakeholder management skills, including the ability to influence, challenge, and maintain relationships under pressure
• Experience working within regulatory or policy frameworks while applying practical, solutions-focused thinking

Capability & approach
Beyond technical expertise, success in this role comes down to mindset and approach.

We are looking for someone who:

• Demonstrates resilience and persistence in complex commercial environments
• Is commercially astute and able to identify alternative pathways to reach outcomes
• Thinks strategically while remaining practical and solutions-focused
• Communicates clearly, firmly, and professionally in high-stakes discussions
• Balances strong relationship management with the confidence to hold firm on outcomes

You will be someone who understands that complex agreements take time to mature, and success comes from sustained focus, strong judgement, and the ability to work through challenges while keeping outcomes in sight.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou: What we offer

Auckland Council is the largest local government council across Oceania, serving over 1.7 million people and contributing towards making Tāmaki Makaurau a world-class city.
 
We offer a range of employee benefits and proudly support flexible working options where possible. You’ll have access to a range of fantastic Auckland Council benefits, EAP services, an Oranga Day and discounted Leisure Centre membership and a range of other partnership discounts! View a snapshot of some of our employee benefits here: 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HCrGnm_Fy1RMrhSkvVZaf3GPtZDk3BLd/view?usp=sharing

We are a diverse organisation – we value diversity in our thinking, and we can only achieve that with a diverse team!

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
Applications close: Sunday 24th May, at 11.59pm

Please note: Qualification Checks will be conducted along with other relevant pre-employment checks required for employment with Auckland Council.

Our employer Kiwisaver contribution is additional to base salary offered.

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.

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