Principal Specialist Resource Consents - Service Delivery & Capability

• Shape the Future of Resource Consents in Tāmaki Makaurau
• Provide expert leadership and strategic direction across process improvement, quality assurance, and customer experience
• Hybrid role with flexible working options based in Central Auckland
• Salary will be $122,783 to $144,450 plus 3.5% KiwiSaver contribution

He angitūtanga: The opportunity

Are you a strategic improvement leader who thrives on solving complex challenges, influencing organisational direction, and building capability that delivers lasting impact?

We are seeking experienced Principal Specialists (4 roles) to join our Service Delivery & Capability Unit within Resource Consents. This is a unique opportunity to drive transformational change across one of New Zealand's largest regulatory environments, helping ensure our services are efficient, consistent, customer-focused, and positioned to deliver excellent outcomes for Auckland's communities.

As a trusted advisor to senior leaders and practitioners, you will play a critical role in shaping how Resource Consents operates, improves, and builds capability for the future.

Working across teams, functions, and organisational boundaries, you will lead complex initiatives that strengthen performance, enhance decision quality, and support the delivery of statutory obligations.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the design and implementation of system-wide improvements across Resource Consents.
• Driving strategic programmes focused on process improvement, service excellence, quality assurance, capability development, and operational effectiveness.
• Providing expert advice, coaching, and thought leadership to senior leaders, managers, and practitioners.
• Establishing and embedding standards, frameworks, and best practices that improve consistency and performance.
• Using data, evidence, and systems thinking to identify opportunities, solve complex problems, and deliver measurable outcomes.
• Influencing and partnering with stakeholders across Auckland Council and external agencies to align priorities and resolve systemic challenges.
• Supporting the delivery of Auckland Council's Māori Responsiveness Plan and contributing to equitable outcomes for Māori through meaningful engagement and partnership.

You can find the position description HERE
 

He kōrero mōu: About you

As a principal specialist, you will provide expert leadership and strategic direction across key areas of service delivery improvement, quality assurance, organisational capability, learning and development, and knowledge management.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• A tertiary qualification in Planning, Public Administration, Organisational Development, Business Improvement, or a related discipline.
• Lean, Agile, Six Sigma, or similar continuous improvement certifications and experience (highly desirable).
• A current New Zealand Driver Licence.
• Experience within planning, regulatory, infrastructure, or local government environments is preferred.
• A genuine commitment to working with Māori and incorporating Māori perspectives and worldviews into your practice.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou: What we offer

We offer flexible working arrangements and a competitive salary. You will be joining a team of dedicated and respected experts working collaboratively across the region to contribute to Auckland’s growth and development. We are committed to diversity, and have a culture built on trust and valuing individual as well as collective contributions.

We also offer:

• Career progression, development opportunities; opportunities to change career directions
• A fantastic learning environment with in-house training and development from one of the best staff training functions in NZ 
• Opportunities to work from both home and our central Auckland office as well as a range of staff benefits available to Council employees
• Be involved in a diverse variety of exciting and high-profile projects
• Networking opportunities across Auckland Council, CCO’s and the development sector
   

We offer a range of employee benefits and proudly support flexible working options where possible. View a snapshot of some of our employee benefits HERE   

Help us build a high-performing, future-focused Resource Consents function that delivers great outcomes for Tāmaki Makaurau.

Applications close on Friday 28 August at 11:59pm. 

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.