Auckland Council Chief Executive Officer

We seek an exceptional individual who will be singularly passionate about the success of the Auckland region and play a pivotal leadership role in shaping Auckland’s future.

Auckland is a world class international city and has a reputation for the quality of life it offers its residents. Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city and biggest commercial centre. It has a spectacular natural environment that very few other cities in the world can match. Auckland is consistently ranked in the top five world cities for its quality of life by Mercer, The Economist and Monocle.

Auckland Council (http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/) was created two and a half years ago to lead Auckland’s development as a globally competitive city with close links to its local communities. Formed in 2010 through an amalgamation of seven local councils and one regional council, Auckland Council is one of the largest (per annum $1.7 billion capital expenditure; $3.2 billion revenue) and most significant organisations in New Zealand  and the biggest local government body in Australasia, delivering services to over 1.5 million Aucklanders.  Its common purpose is to create the world’s most liveable city and deliver Aucklanders great value for money.

This role provides strategic leadership to Auckland Council and its many stakeholders as it works to deliver its purpose and implement the Auckland Plan. 

The Chief Executive will have responsibility for delivering the benefits of amalgamation through the on-going development of a cost efficient, innovative, high performing, customer and community facing organisation.  A culture of all round excellence is a key aspiration of council.  The Chief Executive will be highly skilled at managing relationships with the Mayor, councillors and local board members, counterparts in council controlled organisations, the Independent Maori Statutory Board and with key central government, business and community stakeholders. 

The successful candidate will possess substantial experience in leading the implementation of significant change in large and complex organisations.  Exposure to commercial roles with public sector impact or direct experience of a strategic public sector leadership role will be extremely important.  Compelling evidence in candidates’ backgrounds of superior people leadership, astute commercial skills that underpin the effective delivery of major projects, the ability to work with diverse ethnicities and communities, a proven public service ethic and a track record of delivering a breadth of organisational outcomes will be vital. 

The position demands insightful relationship building and influencing skills at a range of levels.  Political savvy, personal resilience and focus, a sharp, agile intellect and a values base of the highest order complement the qualities of the extraordinary individual we seek. 

The current Chief Executive concludes his successful tenure in December 2013 and is not seeking reappointment.  He has steered the organisation through amalgamation and the initial years of post merger transformation.  The platform for continued innovation is set, and the new Chief Executive will be well positioned to realise the full benefits of amalgamation.

To apply in strict confidence now, click below or email your cover letter and CV tocvakl@sheffield.co.nz or write to Sheffield, PO Box 5621, Wellesley St, Auckland, quoting reference number 47204.  Applications close on 24 June 2013.  Emails will be electronically acknowledged and further correspondence may be by email.

For more information please phone Ian Taylor on +64 9 367 1501 or +64 27 487 7424 or visit www.sheffield.co.nz.