Proactive Animal Management Team Leader

Auckland Council; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Meaningful work in public safety

Leadership and career development

Inclusive culture and community focus

Contribution to Māori outcomes

Job summary

Auckland Council is seeking an experienced Proactive Animal Management Team Leader to lead a team of 8–15 professionals. You will drive proactive compliance, community engagement, education, and targeted enforcement to reduce dog-related harm and build safer communities.

You will provide operational and strategic leadership, manage complex cases, and use data to inform decisions while collaborating with communities and stakeholders to improve public safety and wellbeing.

Qualifications

• 7+ years' experience in regulatory, compliance or enforcement.
• 5+ years' leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of compliance and regulatory frameworks.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Experience managing complex and sensitive situations.
• Current full New Zealand driver licence.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and develop a high-performing team.
• Deliver targeted compliance and enforcement initiatives.
• Drive behaviour change through education and engagement.
• Manage complex and high-profile matters including hearings, complaints and court proceedings.
• Use data and intelligence to drive decision making.
• Build strong partnerships with communities and stakeholders.
• Promote health, safety and continuous improvement.

Skills

Regulatory experience

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Complex cases handling

Job description

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Animal Management | Field Services | Auckland Council

Auckland Council is looking for an experienced and influential leader to join our Animal Management team as a Proactive Animal Management Team Leader. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a highly skilled team dedicated to reducing dog-related harm, improving compliance, and building safer, more resilient communities.

The Opportunity

As a Proactive Animal Management Team Leader, you will lead a team of 8–15 Animal Management professionals responsible for proactive compliance, community engagement, education, and targeted enforcement activities. You will provide operational and strategic leadership while ensuring high-quality regulatory outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and develop a high-performing team.
• Deliver targeted compliance and enforcement initiatives.
• Drive behaviour change through education and engagement.
• Manage complex and high-profile matters including hearings, complaints and court proceedings.
• Use data and intelligence to drive decision making.
• Build strong partnerships with communities and stakeholders.
• Promote health, safety and continuous improvement.

What You’ll Bring

• 7+ years’ experience in a regulatory, compliance or enforcement environment.
• 5+ years’ leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of compliance and regulatory frameworks.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Experience managing complex and sensitive situations.
• Current full New Zealand driver licence.

What We Offer

• Meaningful work that directly impacts public safety and community wellbeing.
• Leadership and career development opportunities.
• A supportive and inclusive culture.
• The opportunity to contribute to positive community and Māori outcomes.