Senior Property Solicitor

Help shape the future of education in New Zealand

Help shape the future of Education

We work to shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes

Our organisation is made up of talented and committed people around Aotearoa, from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. While we work in different groups and on different things, we all strive every day to make the biggest difference we can for our students in our education system.

About this role | Mo tenei turanga

This role is part of a specialist property and construction law team supporting the School Property Group and is responsible for providing specific support to the Treaty Settlements Team.

You will bring experience and confidence to the role, assisting the Ministry with Crown-Maori relationships and Te Tiriti obligations, as they relate to school property.

The Ministry plays a pivotal role in the Crown's Treaty Settlement redress programme through the sale and lease-back of operational school land. The Treaty team work closely with both iwi and Te Arawhiti.

Salary range: $118,371 - $143,760 per annum + 3% kiwi saver. The successful candidate will be appointed at a salary which reflects individual skills and experience.

For more details about the role, you can view the job description here.

About you | Mohou ake

To be successful in this role, you need to be able to demonstrate the following:

• Current practicing certificate and at least 5 years PQE
• Experience in property law and leasing
• Experience in Treaty settlements and Crown Maori relationships
• Ability to assess legal risk and balance with Crown objectives
• Strong analytical, logical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships across a diverse group
• Strong advisory capability, with effective written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to both self-manage and to play an active role in a high functioning team
• The ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

The School Property Legal team is based in a number of locations nationwide. The preferred location for this role is Wellington, although other locations will be considered. This is a fantastic opportunity to be a part of the Government Legal Network, working as part of a national team on one of the largest and busiest property portfolios in New Zealand.

If you'd like to bring your skills to a rewarding role within an organisation that's continuously reaching goals and striving for a better future for New Zealand, we'd love to hear from you.

About our group and team | Matau ropu ake

The School Property group manages one of the largest property portfolios in Aotearoa New Zealand, composed of over 2,100 primary and secondary state schools and over 8,000 hectares of land with a carrying value of $33.5 billion. Our team is responsible for the portfolio, including school engagement, asset management, capital works delivery, investment planning and portfolio management.

We have a responsibility to invest in property solutions that demonstrate value for money while still delivering the right outcome for our schools and kura. Demand for new or improved school property across the country is high, and the way we meet these needs is to do so more efficiently. We have set financial and timeliness targets for our programme, and we're looking to improve our planning and delivery, as well as working proactively and collaboratively with schools and the construction sector. This will ensure that our property projects deliver value and are part of an affordable and deliverable programme of works.

As part of the response to the Government's decisions following the independent Ministerial Inquiry into School Property, the School Property group is now led by a Functional Chief Executive (FCE) for School Property, who reports directly to the Minister for Education. We also have put in place an improvement programme which responds to the Government's school property review recommendations.

The School Property Legal Team is an in-house legal function within the School Property group that provides specialised property and construction law and related advice. You will work across all teams within the School Property Group, particularly the Treaty Settlements team.

Are you ready to make a difference? | Kua rite koe mo tenei mahi?

If this opportunity interests you, please submit your cover letter and resume by using the `apply' button. In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values, or anything else you'd like to share. We're keen to understand your motivations, strengths, transferable skills, and the diverse perspectives you will bring to the role.

For further information, please contact Brigid Kelly, Director - School Property and Construction Law at brigid.kelly@education.govt.nz.

Applications close Midnight - Friday 11 April 2025.

We want our people to feel valued for their unique qualities and have a sense of belonging. If you require assistance or adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process, please let us know.