Manager Urban Development Office

Wellington City Council; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5 weeks annual leave

Flexible working options

Health and wellbeing support

Staff discounts

Learning and development programmes

Job summary

Wellington City Council is creating a brand-new Urban Development Office and seeks an accomplished leader to build and guide this function from the ground up. You will work at the intersection of local government, commercial property, investment, infrastructure, planning and urban regeneration to unlock major development opportunities across Wellington.

Reporting to the Chief Planning Officer, you will partner with developers, iwi, investors and government agencies to deliver housing, workplaces

Qualifications

• Commercial property experience is essential.
• Extensive NZ property and development experience with strong commercial acumen.
• Ability to connect public objectives with private sector opportunities.
• Proven ability to negotiate development agreements and investment partnerships.
• Strong networks across NZ property, development, infrastructure and investment sectors.
• Experience navigating complex political environments and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Enterprise leadership mindset focused on outcomes for the city.
• Passion for creating liveable, thriving cities and sustainable growth.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead the new development facilitation and investment function.
• Advise elected members and senior leaders on major development opportunities.
• Foster partnerships with private sector to accelerate housing and city regeneration.
• Remove barriers and improve certainty for developers navigating processes.
• Identify and attract investments supporting Wellington's long-term growth.
• Champion customer-focused, solutions-oriented development with public outcomes.

Skills

Senior leadership

Commercial acumen

Development feasibility

Negotiation

Industry network

Public-private partnerships

Stakeholder influence

Strategic leadership

Urban development passion

Job description

Help shape the future of New Zealand's capital.

Wellington is changing, and we're creating a brand-new leadership role to help drive that transformation.

The newly established Urban Development Office will be Wellington City Council's front door for major development and investment opportunities. Our goal is simple: to enable growth, unlock investment, and help deliver the homes, workplaces, public spaces, and vibrant precincts our city needs to thrive. We want to be a partner in Wellington's growth, not an obstacle to it.

This is a rare opportunity to build and lead a new function from the ground up while helping shape the future of one of New Zealand's most dynamic cities.

Reporting to the Chief Planning Officer, you'll lead the newly established Urban Development Office and become a key member of Council's senior leadership team. You'll work at the intersection of local government, commercial property, investment, infrastructure, planning and urban regeneration to unlock development opportunities across Wellington.

You'll be responsible for building strong partnerships with developers, investors, landowners, industry leaders, iwi partners, central government agencies and internal teams to help bring major projects to life.

You will:

• Build and lead Council's new development facilitation and investment function.
• Act as a trusted advisor to elected members and senior leaders on major development opportunities.
• Create strong partnerships with the private sector to accelerate housing, commercial development and city regeneration.
• Remove barriers and improve certainty for developers navigating Council processes.
• Identify and attract investment opportunities that support Wellington's long-term growth.
• Champion a customer-focused, solutions-oriented approach to development while safeguarding public outcomes.

Ngā tohu me ngā wheako | Qualifications and experience

Commercial property experience is essential.

We are looking for an established leader with extensive New Zealand property and development experience, strong commercial acumen, and the credibility to engage with senior developers, investors, landowners and industry leaders. This role requires someone who understands how development happens in practice and has the networks and commercial expertise to help unlock opportunities across Wellington.

You may come from a property development, urban regeneration, infrastructure, investment, housing development or major project delivery background. What matters most is your ability to connect public objectives with commercial reality and create partnerships that deliver results for the city.

You'll bring:

• Significant senior leadership experience within the New Zealand property and development sector.
• Strong commercial acumen, including evaluating development feasibility, investment opportunities, risk and long‑term value creation.
• Proven success negotiating complex development agreements, commercial contracts and investment partnerships.
• An established network across New Zealand's property, development, infrastructure and investment sectors.
• Experience working at the interface between public and private sector interests.
• The ability to influence senior stakeholders and navigate complex political environments.
• An enterprise leadership mindset with a focus on outcomes for the city as a whole.
• A passion for creating thriving, liveable cities and enabling sustainable growth

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you

Opportunities like this do not come along often.

You'll have the chance to establish a brand-new business unit, influence the future direction of Wellington, work alongside some of the country's most significant developers and investors, and leave a lasting legacy on the capital city.

If you're a commercially savvy property leader with the networks, influence, commercial capability and ambition to help unlock Wellington's next chapter, we'd love to hear from you.

Join us and help build the Wellington of tomorrow.

Working for the Council offers you a range of benefits including 5 weeks annual leave, flexible working options, health and wellbeing support, Council staff discounts and a range of learning and development programmes and opportunities.

We want your application to enable you to portray the real you. Skills are gained across many areas of our life, not just formal employment. If you can demonstrate the skills listed in the advert through whānau life, community or mahi aroha (volunteering) we encourage you to apply and share your story with us in your cover letter.

We welcome applications from all people and like our workforce to reflect the diverse communities we serve.

Accessibility Support:

We want to make sure any accessibility requirements you may have, are well supported so the selection process is equitable for everyone. Please let us know if there are any adjustments or support, we can offer to make our process more accessible to you by emailing: [e-mail]

Applications close 22 October 2026.Please note that we may engage with applicants prior to the vacancy closing and/or close applications ahead of this date so we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

All applications must be submitted online and must have the right to work in New Zealand – we will not accept emailed applications.

All employees must undergo a Criminal Conviction Check, the results of which will be held on your employee file if employed.