Director Legal and Risk at Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities , Auckland

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

•    Lead the legal, risk and assurance agenda 
•    Operate as a trusted adviser to the CE and Board 
•    Apply legal and risk leadership at scale 

Te whiwhinga mahi - Our opportunity
Reporting to the Chief People and Assurance Officer, this is a pivotal role acting as principal legal advisor to the Chief Executive, Board and Chief Executive Leadership Group. 

You will lead the delivery of high quality legal services, both in house and externally, ensuring an integrated and enabling approach to risk management, audit, assurance, integrity and privacy across the organisation.

Your advice will directly influence major strategic decisions, complex commercial arrangements, litigation, governance, and Kāinga Ora’s engagement with Ministers, central agencies and judicial bodies. As a member of the People and Assurance leadership team, you will also help shape organisational strategy and culture.

Key responsibilities include:
•    Provide trusted, strategic legal advice to the Board, CE and senior leaders 
•    Lead and integrate Kāinga Ora’s legal, risk, audit, assurance, integrity and privacy functions 
•    Set the legal policy and compliance framework for a large, highly regulated public organisation 
•    Partner with the Board and senior leaders on governance, risk appetite and emerging risks 
•    Oversee significant contracts, property transactions and commercial negotiations 
•    Strategically manage litigation, disputes and legal claims to achieve the best outcomes for Kāinga Ora 
•    Lead, mentor and develop a high performing team of senior legal and assurance professionals 
•    Build strong relationships across government, the judiciary, regulators and Māori partners

Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu - What you will bring
•    A law degree and current practising certificate 
•    Significant senior legal experience, ideally including substantial in house or public sector leadership 
•    Strong capability across public law, commercial law, litigation and property 
•    Demonstrated leadership of risk, assurance, audit, integrity and privacy functions 
•    Deep understanding of public sector governance, accountability and compliance frameworks 
•    Proven experience leading high performing professional teams in complex environments 
•    Excellent relationship building and influencing skills 
•    A sound understanding of Te Ao Māori and partnership obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi 
•    The highest standards of ethics, integrity and professional judgement

Nōu te rourou - What's in it for you?  
We offer competitive salaries, five weeks' annual leave and a benefits package including a range of insurances, flexible working arrangements and career development. These benefits are described in more detail here https://careers.kaingaora.govt.nz/a-great-place-to-work/benefits 

As a Kāinga Ora - Homes and Communities employee, we want to make sure that you have all the tools and support you need. We want to ensure you are healthy and have work-life balance. We also want to support and grow your personal and career development through on-the-job learning, training courses, secondments and study opportunities. 

Mō mātou - Our Organisation
At Kāinga Ora, ours is the important responsibility of transforming New Zealand’s housing choices, outcomes and the entire housing sector by creating homes and communities that allow New Zealanders to thrive. 

What is exciting about working for Kāinga Ora is getting the chance to make a real and positive impact on New Zealanders’ lives. With skills, planning and purposeful action, our people are creating the homes and neighbourhoods that will build the future of Aotearoa. 

We are passionate about transforming New Zealand for the better. That includes being a trusted partner for Māori and iwi, protecting and enabling their rights, interests and aspirations under the guidance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. 

Ō tātou uara - Our values 
Our values were developed by us, for us. They unite us as an organisation and guide how we work every day. Our values are:
•    Manaakitanga – People at the Heart
•    Mahi Tahi – Better Together
•    Whanake – Be Bold

Tūhono mai - Join us
To view the position description and apply for this role, please follow the online process via http://careers.kaingaora.govt.nz. Please note: all applicants, including existing employees, need to follow this process.

If you have any questions about this role, please contact kaingaorarecruit@kaingaora.govt.nz 

Applications close on Tuesday 12th May at 11:55pm. 

We value diversity and are committed to working with each other and our customers in an inclusive and respectful way. We welcome applicants from all walks of life and appreciate the richness of experience that your point of difference brings to the organisation.

If you don’t tick all the boxes in this listing but think that you could be a great fit based on your unique background and skillset, we would welcome an application from you.