Principal Policy Advisor

• Great opportunity for a seasoned policy professional
• Lead work on capability and leadership development for policy practitioners
• Hybrid working and option to purchase an extra week of leave

  
He angitūtanga: The opportunity 

Auckland Council’s Policy Department leads policy work and provides advice on a wide range of important issues that matter to Aucklanders.  These include protecting our region’s biodiversity, supporting the wellbeing of Auckland’s diverse communities, planning for our long-term infrastructure needs, and providing vibrant, safe public spaces for a growing population.  

Our kaimahi come from diverse backgrounds and disciplines including strategy, policy, research and evaluation, engagement and planning.  We all share a commitment to improving the lives of Aucklanders.

We are a high-performing policy shop that delivers strategic, integrated, evidence-based and compelling advice to decision makers. 

We are committed to contunuous improvement.  To achieve this, we are establishing a Policy Centre of Excellence for the organisation and are implementing an improvement programme to develop our policy processes, capability and leadership. 

We’re looking for a policy practitioner to help design, manage and lead initiatives that build our culture and help individuals, teams and workplaces thrive.  

You could also expect to work on:

• capability development
• practice and process improvement
• coaching and mentoring our people
• presenting to senior leaders 
   

He kōrero mōu: About you

This role requires extensive experience in policy or a closely related discipline within local/central government or complex organisations.

You can clearly articulate why improving policy practice is important for decision-makers and communities and you have ideas about how to achieve this.

We’re looking for someone who enjoys working “on the business” as much as “in the business”.  

You are highly motivated, capable of working independently, and also value collaborating with others. 

We will be looking for specific experience with the key role requirements:

• strong ability to coach core policy skills
• direct experience with designing and delivering learning and development activities and quality initiatives in a comparable knowledge worker environment
• ability to create solutions for complex and ambiguous problems

We still encourage you to apply if you have some but not all these requirements.

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.
 
View a snapshot of some of our employee benefits HERE
 

Me Tono Ināianei!: Apply Now!
Applications close: Monday, 2 February 2026
 

Find a copy of the position description HERE
 

This role has a remuneration range of $125,000-$140,000

Our employer Kiwisaver contribution is additional to base salary offered.

#WorkingForAuckland #PolicyJobs

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.