Asset and Operations Lead

• Lead a dedicated team at one of Tāmaki Makaurau's most iconic green spaces, fostering excellence in horticulture and community engagement.

• Drive impactful projects that enhance the beauty, function, and sustainability of the Auckland Botanic Gardens.

• Shape the future of public gardens through strategic planning, asset renewal, and hands-on leadership in a high-profile environment.

He angitūtanga: The opportunity

Auckland Council has an opportunity for a permanent full-time Assets & Operations lead for the Auckland Botanic Gardens team. This role supports one of Auckland’s most popular public destinations, welcoming more than one million visitors each year.

This is a key operational role responsible for the day‑to‑day functioning of the site. You will oversee maintenance activities, manage contractors, and work closely with the Auckland Council Facilities team to ensure strong coordination. The role also supports gardening and horticultural teams, supervises a small maintenance and green assets team of two, works with dedicated asset volunteers, and ensures security and access systems operate smoothly.  You will also oversee the timely renewal of infrastructure and assets, ensuring work programmes are delivered efficiently and with a forward‑thinking approach.

This is a fast‑paced, operational role that demands a high level of adaptability and flexibility. Priorities can change throughout the day, and success relies on the ability to respond quickly, manage competing demands, and maintain smooth site operations.

Ngā kawenga matua: Key responsibilities

You could expect to:       

• Lead a horticultural team specialising in hard landscaping, mowing, and maintenance, and work closely with volunteers and curators
• Act as the key on‑site contact for contractors, security, cleaning, and capital projects, ensuring smooth day‑to‑day coordination
• Monitor and review select garden development projects, contributing to activities such as tree management and landscape improvements.
• Manage allocated budgets, ensuring compliance with financial processes and staying within approved limits.
• Participate in annual and seasonal planning, helping to prioritise tasks and align the work programme with strategic goals.

Please view the position description attached HERE (please note role title internally is coined differently)

The renumeration range for the role starts from $105,000 - $108,000 annually depending on skillset and experience.

He kōrero mōu: About you

This role requires over 10 years’ experience across horticulture or landscaping, engineering, project management, or facilities/property management, including at least four years in a leadership capacity.

You will be a highly organised and self‑directed professional with strong stakeholder management and problem‑solving skills. You take a proactive, solutions‑focused approach and are comfortable adapting, reprioritising, and responding to changing demands.

Bringing practical, multi‑skilled maintenance experience, strong planning and coordination capability, and confidence managing contractors to ensure safe work practices and high delivery standards. Experience with budget oversight and asset management is essential, along with excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders. one of Auckland’s most popular public sites with over 1 million visits a year. 

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

• Qualification and experience from landscaping, horticulture, engineering and construction related project management is preferrable
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel
• Health and Safety advocate, with current first aid certification preferred 
• Solid understanding of horticulture and familiarity with Botanic Gardens

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

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.

Help us make a difference to Tāmaki Makaurau. View a snapshot of some of our employee benefits Here

If you have any support or access requirements, please advise us when submitting your application so we can assist you.

Me Tono Ināianei!: Apply Now!

Ehara taku toa, he takitahi, he toa takitini. My success is not mine alone, but the success of many.

Applications close: Thursday 18th May at 12am NZDT

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.