Team Leader Street Trading and Licensing

• Lead a team delivering key regulatory services across licensing, food safety, and street trading.
• Drive risk‑based regulation, continuous improvement, and data‑informed service performance.
• Build strong partnerships to support public safety and a vibrant hospitality sector.

He angitūtanga: The opportunity
Auckland Council’s Licensing and Environmental Health unit has an exciting opportunity for a motivated and people centred Team Leader Street Trading and Licensing, reporting to the Manager Specialist Operations. 

In this leadership role, you’ll guide a dedicated team responsible for delivering both proactive and reactive functions across alcohol licensing, Food Act registration, street trading, micromobility, and amusement devices. 

Your work will directly support our key goals: to support Auckland’s public health and safety outcomes while enabling a vibrant hospitality sector in Tāmaki Makaurau. 

Undertaking a risk-based regulatory approach you’ll turn strategic objectives into practical, high quality operational delivery, champion continuous improvement, and use data and insights to influence service performance. Collaboration is central to this role, you’ll work closely across council, with partner agencies, and with communities to support and optimise outcomes.

Day-to-day you could expect to work on:
•    Implement and provide ongoing support to our hospitality concierge service offering.
•    Lead and support the team in delivering services within the risk based regulating framework.
•    Lead and manage all manager’s certificate interviews under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.
•    Building strong working relationships across council, the hospitality sector, partner agencies and communities.
•    Oversee high‑quality reports, submissions, and evidence for the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority.
•    Ensure effective administration of statutory functions across relevant legislation, bylaws, and regulations.
•    Drive team performance by achieving KPIs and developing staff through coaching, mentoring, and performance management.
•    Handle escalated matters using strong legislative knowledge, investigative capability, and risk‑management processes.
•    Embed a Quality Management System, identify improvements, and collaborate across departments for consistent policy and process application.

He kōrero mōu: About you
This role requires experience in similar licensing, compliance, or regulatory roles, with a sound understanding of alcohol licensing and street trading environments.

You’ll be a confident leader who brings clarity, motivation, and direction to your team, whilst collaboratively across departments to ensure consistent policy and process application

You’ll thrive in a dynamic environment, balancing strategic thinking with hands on operational leadership. Your ability to build strong relationships, influence outcomes, and navigate complex issues will be key. 

We will be looking for specific experience with:
•    Skilled in interpreting and applying legislation, regulatory frameworks, and enforcement tools.
•    Experienced in quality management, continuous improvement, and strategic thinking across complex systems.
•    Strong stakeholder, relationship, and political management abilities, with effective influencing and negotiation skills.
•    Adept at problem‑solving, innovation, planning, prioritisation, and financial management.
•    Proven leadership in regulatory, hospitality or compliance environments, including managing teams and workflows under pressure.
•    Committed to high customer service standards, professionalism, and personal accountability.
•    A tertiary qualification in Social Sciences, Law, or related discipline (or equivalent enforcement qualification) would be advantageous
•    A full, current NZ driver licence

If you’re ready to lead a team that plays a vital role in shaping a safer, healthier, and more vibrant Auckland, we’d love to hear from you.

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.

As part of our organisation, please view a range of our: benefits

Tono Mai: Apply Now!

Application close date: 27 February 2026

Salary range: $102,000 to $108,000 per annum (based on skills and experience)

Position description here

This role is deemed safety-sensitive and in line with Auckland Council policy, you will be required to complete pre-employment drug and alcohol testing.  

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.