Principal Legal Counsel - Public Law

  
He angitūtanga: The opportunity 

Are you an accomplished legal professional looking to make a meaningful impact at one of New Zealand’s largest and most complex organisations?

We are seeking an experienced Principal Legal Counsel to provide strategic, high-quality legal advice across Auckland Council and its Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs). For the right person, there is the possibility for this role to be Special Counsel.  Working as a trusted advisor, you will influence key decisions, manage critical stakeholder relationships, and contribute to outcomes that shape the future of Auckland.

What you will be doing:

• Provide expert legal and strategic advice within your specialist area of practice.
• Partner with senior leaders and stakeholders across Council and CCOs.
• Build and maintain strong client and external provider relationships.
• Support and develop team capability through coaching, mentoring, and knowledge sharing.
• Navigate complex legal issues within a dynamic political and regulatory environment.

 
Click here to view the Position Description.
 

He kōrero mōu: About you 

You will have strong legal expertise with good public law experience. With political and organisational acumen, you will have a confident and collaborative working style.

Experience in public law is essential, and knowledge of the local government legal framework is preferred.

This is a rare opportunity to utilise your interpersonal and relationship-building skills while working across a large and varied portfolio. You will be solutions-focused and be able to support the organisation in managing risk and thinking proactively.

What you will bring:

• A tertiary qualification in Law and a current practising certificate.
• Specialist expertise in your area of legal practice.
• Extensive experience, ideally including local or central government exposure.
• Strong analytical judgement and the ability to deliver commercially and strategically focused solutions.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the confidence to present clear, concise, and practical legal advice.
• Proven ability to build trusted relationships and influence at senior levels.
• A collaborative leadership style and a passion for developing others.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou: What we offer

Auckland Council is the largest local authority in the Southern Hemisphere and is New Zealand’s main urban “growth” council. The challenges and opportunities in the public law space are significant.

Legal Services is a large in-house team of lawyers working across five teams (Public Law, Commercial, Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Regulatory & Enforcement, and Property). We empower Auckland Council to do the right thing, the right way, for an Auckland we can all be proud of.

In return, we will offer you high profile and interesting work, a flexible working environment, the knowledge and support of other like-minded professionals and an enthusiastic and hard-working team to work with.

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

 
Why join us?

This is a unique opportunity to work on matters of significant public importance while helping shape Auckland’s future. You will join a high-performing legal team, work alongside influential stakeholders, and contribute to decisions that impact the region's communities, environment, and growth.

Ready to make your mark? Apply now and bring your expertise to shape the future of Auckland.

Applications close on Tuesday 13th of October at 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.