Principal Solicitor

1 week ago

Wellington City, New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs NZ Full time

**Department of Internal Affairs**

**Principal Solicitor**
- Enjoy meaningful mahi with a lot of variety and a regulatory focus
- Permanent position
- Full-time, part-time, secondment or other flexible working options available

As Principal Solicitor, you will take the lead in overseeing the legal team’s regulatory work at Te Tari Taiwhenua | Department of Internal Affairs.

**Mō tēnei tūranga | About this role**

You will report directly to the Policy and Regulatory Legal Manager, Tania Nedelcheva-Pearson. Creating a collaborative and supportive working environment for the team is important to Tania. She cares about her kaimahi and is invested in their development and seeing them reach their full potential.

Maintaining oversight of the regulatory work done by the team and reporting on legal risk to the Policy and Regulatory Legal Manager will be key, as will managing key relationships across Te Tari Taiwhenua. The legal matters you will handle will be of varying size and complexity and require working collaboratively with and providing support to investigators, advising on regulatory compliance and enforcement matters, and liaising with Crown Solicitors and Crown Law to manage prosecutions and other litigation. Part of your role will also be to act as an innovator assisting in enhancing team performance delivery, as well as providing guidance and mentoring.

You will be able to have a flexible working arrangement, enjoy meaningful mahi with a lot of variety, and will have a great deal of autonomy while having access to support and development opportunities. You will also work with a tight-knit team of lawyers who are passionate about their work but also like to have a good laugh.

Te Tari Taiwhenua are committed in supporting their rōia Māori by encouraging participation in Te Kura Huna and joining Te Hunga Rōia Māori o Aotearoa. Te Tari Taiwhenua also has a large Tangata Whenua Network which provides valuable support for their kaimahi.

**Mōhou ake | About you**
- Senior or Principal level of post-admission experience
- Knowledge and experience in the regulatory and public law space is essential
- Operational and/or litigation experience will be a bonus but is not a key requirement
- Strong internal stakeholder management skills
- Great written and verbal communication skills and the ability to tailor advice for the audience
- You must be comfortable working with ambiguous and novel issues and be able to advise on the go while also recognising when more thorough research and analysis is needed
- Experience supporting others including mentoring and providing feedback
- New Zealand qualified with a current practising certificate or the ability to obtain one.

Working at Te Tari Taiwhenua, you’ll have the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of New Zealanders.

They are an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusion. They recognise a diverse workforce contributes to better business outcomes. Te Tari Taiwhenua are committed to creating a workplace where all kaimahi have equal access. If you require any additional support throughout the recruitment process, please let our Consultants know.

Click here to apply.

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