Associate General Counsel - Commercial

Role Overview

This position offers a rare leadership opportunity within Auckland Council, New Zealand's largest public entity. As the Associate General Counsel Commercial, you will head the Commercial legal team providing strategic legal guidance across a range of corporate, commercial, infrastructure, finance, and commercial development issues affecting the Council and council-controlled organisations.

Reporting directly to the General Counsel, you will be the top commercial legal advisor offering trusted, strategic counsel to elected officials, the Chief Executive, and senior leadership. You'll manage and mentor a team of 10 legal professionals, driving the delivery of practical and business-focused legal services that advance Council objectives while mitigating legal and reputational risks.

Key Responsibilities

• Providing expert strategic commercial legal advice directly to the Mayor, Council members, Chief Executive, and senior leadership.
• Leading and developing a specialist Commercial legal team, fostering a culture of high performance and professional growth.
• Overseeing delivery of legal services encompassing corporate, commercial, infrastructure, finance, and commercial development matters.
• Identifying, assessing, and managing legal and organisational risks while supporting alignment with Council priorities.
• Promoting innovation and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance legal capabilities including education and self-service programs.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be a seasoned commercial lawyer with over a decade of legal experience in complex, high-profile environments such as local government, the public sector, large corporates, or senior private practice roles. Demonstrated expertise in commercial legal matters across corporate, infrastructure, finance, and development sectors is essential.

You possess exceptional judgement, political acumen, and the ability to influence senior stakeholders in complex settings. Your practical, problem-solving mindset balances risk and opportunity while maintaining exemplary professional standards. As a committed leader, you foster team development through empowerment, trust, collaboration, and accountability.

Qualifications & Experience

• At least 10 years of relevant legal practice in complex organisations or advisory roles.
• Experience within or advising local government, public sector, significant corporate entities, or at partner level in private practice.
• Advanced commercial legal skills with extensive exposure to corporate, infrastructure, finance, and commercial development.
• Proven success in establishing trusted relationships with political leaders, executives, regulators, and external counsel.
• Strong analytical skills, resilience, and the capability to manage complexity, competing demands, risk considerations, and budgets effectively.

Benefits and Work Environment

Auckland Council is the largest local government body in Oceania, serving over 1.7 million residents. The organisation promotes flexible working arrangements where feasible and provides numerous employee benefits including Employee Assistance Programs, an Oranga Day, discounted Leisure Centre memberships, and various partnership discounts.

Diversity and inclusion are highly valued, with a commitment to creating a workplace reflecting broad perspectives and backgrounds.

Additional Information

• Applications close on Tuesday 22nd September.
• Pre-employment qualification and reference checks will be conducted, including inquiries regarding any active conduct investigations or current performance management processes.
• Consent to reference and background checks is required to proceed with the application process; withholding consent may prevent further consideration.
• Auckland Council complies with the Privacy Act 2020 and commits to safeguarding applicant information.
• KiwiSaver employer contributions are provided in addition to the base salary.
• The Council is an equal opportunity employer welcoming applicants who may require support or accommodations during recruitment.