Manager Specialist Operations

Auckland Council’s Licensing & Environmental Health department has an opportunity for a Manager – Specialist Operations to lead a high‑performing team of regulatory specialists. This is a dynamic leadership role where you’ll drive strategic vision, foster innovative thinking, and champion service excellence.

You’ll play a pivotal role in improving environmental and public health outcomes for Aucklanders, while simplifying and streamlining hospitality services. By embedding a culture of risk‑based regulating and continuous improvement, you’ll ensure the unit is agile, responsive, and future ready.

This is your chance to make a meaningful impact by supporting Auckland’s growth, reducing risk and harm, and building strong partnerships across government, industry, and community.

Day‑to‑day you could expect to work on :

• Leading teams across Licensing, Environmental Health, Noise, and Street Trading to deliver improved public health outcomes and customer experiences
• Implementing a risk‑based regulating approach, ensuring evidence‑based decision making and efficient resource use
• Strengthening strategic relationships with central government and the hospitality sector
• Championing continuous improvement and innovation to streamline processes, reduce compliance barriers, and ensure full legislative adherence with consistently positive audit outcomes
• Managing budgets, KPIs, and strategic outcomes within set financial boundaries
• Overseeing responses to public health issues, food safety, noise, and hazardous substances
• Providing purposeful leadership, coaching, and guidance to specialists and people leaders

Please click HERE for a copy of the Position Description

This role requires experience in similar senior leadership positions, with a sound understanding of regulatory environments, environmental health, and the hospitality sector. You’ll be a visionary leader who thrives on building strong relationships, driving change, and empowering teams to deliver excellence.

You’ll bring political acumen, strategic insight, and the ability to balance innovative thinking with risk‑based regulation. With your proven track record in managing large, complex teams and projects, you’ll inspire confidence, foster collaboration, and deliver outcomes that matter for Aucklanders.

We will be looking for specific experience with :

This is a rare opportunity to lead a team that directly contributes to Auckland’s wellbeing and growth. If you’re motivated by making a difference, shaping strategy, and delivering excellence in public and environmental health, we’d love to hear from you.

We will offer you a career‑enhancing opportunity to contribute to Auckland’s growth and development by ensuring the right outcomes are achieved for our customers and the general public. You will be working for an organisation that embraces diversity and has a culture built on trust and valuing individual contributions. If you are high‑performing, passionate about Auckland and the world around you, and would like the chance to make tangible and visible improvements to our environment, then join us.

We offer a range of employee benefits and proudly support flexible working options where possible. View a snapshot of some of our employee benefits HERE .

If you have any support or access requirements, please advise us when submitting your application so we can assist you.

The remuneration range for this role is $140,650 – $148,000 (Based on skills & experience)

Our employer Kiwisaver contribution is additional to base salary offered.

You will be required to have a valid NZ driver’s license

Please note this role is deemed safety‑sensitive and will require a pre‑employment drug & alcohol test

Auckland Council is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and we are committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application to assist you through the recruitment process.

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