Leader Legal Land Information New Zealand location Wellington. $134,000 – $201,000 per year.

Use your leadership and broad legal expertise to shape a new role. Provide technical and people leadership to a team of legal specialists. Work for a high performing organisation that is passionate about achieving outcomes for New Zealand. Wellington or Christchurch location{full time position, but would accept 4 days per week}.

About the role this is a newly created position reporting to the Head of Legal (Chief Legal Advisor) which has come about as a result of our ‘Organising Ourselves' change programme and sits within our centralised Legal Services business group. This change now sees the need for a Leader to provide a mix of home and work leadership for a team of solicitors to deliver for the organisation.

The team currently comprises 9 solicitors, 4 of whom are direct reports to this role with the other 5 homed in the Legal Services team but working in and reporting to other regulatory teams (Registrar-General of Land and Compliance teams). Being a new position leading a team of 9, this role is able to be shaped to add value and bring your own experience and skills to that of the organisation.

In a role where no two days are the same you will see yourself assisting the Head of Legal to lead a team of solicitors and develop team capability and engagement. Helping to achieve the organisation's objectives through providing legal technical leadership and guidance across our key areas of legal work, including Providing general legal advice relating to contract and commercial law, property law, statute and administrative law, IT law.

Providing legal services relating to land law, including the law relating to Crown Land, Māori Land, Crown forests and marine and coastal areas. Advising on and interpreting legislation, including the Land Act 1948, Crown Pastoral Land Act 1998, Public Works Act 1981, Official Information Act 1982 and Privacy Act 2020. Drafting and reviewing contracts, including IT and software contracts.

Supporting Crown Law on litigation matters applying legal interpretation of statutes and writing legal opinions including advice to the Minister. Contributing to the development of legislation including preparing drafting instructions for the Parliamentary Counsel Office.

Contributing to the identification, development and provision of training to other staff on legal matters. Managing the professional development of your direct reports, including advising, coaching and mentoring on technical legal matters and new legislation.

Having a customer orientated focus and an eye to continuously enhance the customer experience. Contributing to LINZ engagement with other agencies and key stakeholder groups. Helping to ensure rules and standards are being met and work on legislative review and standards development.

Skills & experience the ideal person for this role will be a senior commercial or property lawyer and have a legal degree and current practicing certificate (or be eligible to hold one). At least 10 years PQE and it would be beneficial to have experience in one or more of the following areas: property law, commercial law, law of administrative decision-making. Demonstrable experience leading, coaching or mentoring a group of technical experts.

A passion for making a positive and sustainable difference through engaging and partnering with the business, customers and stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes. Excellent judgement with strong problem solving and decision-making capability, including ability to identify problems, manage or mitigate risks and implement innovative solutions that align with strategic direction.

Strong communication skills allowing you to easily convey technical information to those who are not familiar with the technical legal aspects. We are also looking for the right person who will complement the professional and collegial nature of our team. This is a great opportunity to join a friendly, forward thinking, people-centric government organisation, in a great team. The expected appointing range for this role is $116,249-$201,573 per annum.

What we offer our employees  interesting and varied work which impacts Aotearoa as we care for whenua, moana and arawai. Eye & ear care reimbursements. Annual Flu Vaccinations. Reduced Health Insurance Premiums. Diverse groups and networks. If eligible for paid parental leave, you will be entitled to a top up payment for the first 18 weeks of the 26 weeks. A minimum of four weeks and three days annual leave.

Our story toitū Te Whenua plays a vital role in understanding, developing and caring for New Zealand's whenua, moana and arawai (land, sea and waterways). Whether you're developing our products and services to support our customers, managing the Crown estate, engaging with our iwi partners, or helping us be an effective regulator, your contribution can make a difference. Our mahi helps New Zealanders have confidence that the development of our land, communities and country is being planned from an informed and expert position that balances environmental, social, cultural and economic considerations. Now and for future generations.

Public Service Gender, Māori, Pacific and Ethnic Pay Gap Action Plan. Toitū Te Whenua is a diverse team of individuals with different experience and perspectives. This drives our culture and high performance. We know that people from under-represented groups, and women in particular, don't apply for roles if they are not a 100% match, but we are not looking for perfection; we are looking for potential. We encourage anyone to apply, regardless of whether you tick all the boxes.