Principal Property Specialist

Auckland Council; Auckland; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Auckland Council seeks an experienced Principal Property Specialist to provide high-level property expertise and lead complex acquisition activities supporting major projects and regional outcomes.

You will identify land needed for key projects, provide strategic advice, interpret valuations, and lead negotiations with landowners, agencies, and other stakeholders to secure outcomes.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading complex property acquisitions under the Public Works Act.
• Ability to navigate commercial, legislative and stakeholder negotiations.
• Proven track record securing land for major infrastructure projects.

Responsibilities

• Identify land acquisition opportunities and secure land for projects.
• Lead negotiations with landowners and stakeholders.
• Provide strategic property advisory across major infrastructure projects.
• Interpret valuations and manage statutory requirements across acquisitions.

Skills

Property acquisition

Negotiations

Stakeholder management

Public Works Act knowledge

Valuation interpretation

Strategic advisory

Job description

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• Lead complex property acquisitions under the Public Works Act
• Provide strategic property advice across major infrastructure projects
• Navigate complex negotiations and build relationships that deliver results

Auckland Council is looking for an experienced Principal Property Specialist to provide high-level property expertise and lead complex property acquisition activities supporting major projects and regional outcomes.

This is a specialist opportunity for someone who understands the intricacies of property acquisition, particularly under the Public Works Act (PWA), and can confidently navigate the commercial, legislative and relationship challenges that come with it.

You'll play a key role in identifying and securing land required for important projects, providing strategic property advice, commissioning and interpreting valuations, and leading negotiations with landowners and other interested parties. From identifying potential acquisition opportunities through to negotiating agreements and managing statutory requirements, you'll bring together the right expertise to achieve successful outcomes.

You'll work closely with project managers, legal professionals, valuers, consultants, government agencies, developers and other stakeholders across Auckland Council and the wider property sector. No two situations will necessarily be the same. Some conversations will involve complex commercial negotiations, while others may require a particularly thoughtful and empathetic approach when working with landowners facing significant personal circumstances.

This is a role where sound judgement, commercial thinking and the ability to see the bigger picture really matter. You'll need to be comfortable navigating ambiguity, balancing competing interests and finding practical solutions while keeping projects moving forward.

Alongside your technical expertise, you'll also provide subject matter leadership, share knowledge and help build property acquisition capability across the wider team.

If you're someone who enjoys working through complexity, building trusted relationships and making a tangible contribution to projects that shape Auckland, this could be an excellent next step.

You're an established property professional with substantial industry experience and the confidence to provide specialist advice on complex property matters. You understand the commercial and legislative environment in which property acquisitions operate, and you're comfortable taking ownership of challenging negotiations and decisions.

You're also someone who can adapt your approach to suit the situation and the people you're dealing with. You know when to take a commercial position, when to listen, and how to build rapport and bring people along with you.

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.

We are a diverse organisation – we value diversity in our thinking, and we can only achieve that with a diverse team!

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

Please note: Qualification Checks will be conducted along with other relevant pre-employment checks required for employment with Auckland Council.

Our employer Kiwisaver contribution is additional to base salary offered.

Employees in receipt of salary protection and/or on the predecessor Council terms and conditions of employment, please note that the salary protection and/or predecessor Council terms and conditions, including relocation, apply to your current position. Should you change to a new position (other than any secondment) you will be issued with a new employment letter of offer with current Auckland Council terms and conditions.