City Rail Link Limited (CRLL) has successfully delivered Auckland’s transformational City Rail Link project and is now focused on project completion, contract close-out, property-related workstreams and the eventual wind-up of the organisation. This presents a unique opportunity for an experienced legal leader to join the Senior Leadership Team and play a pivotal role in the final chapter of this landmark project. 
Reporting to the Executive General Manager, the Head of Legal will provide strategic legal advice across the organisation while leading both the legal function and CRLL’s Property team.

The Opportunity

This is a broad and influential leadership role requiring a commercially astute senior legal professional who is comfortable operating at a strategic level while remaining hands-on when required.
You will act as a trusted adviser to the Executive General Manager, Board and Senior Leadership Team, providing expert legal guidance across a diverse range of commercial, contractual, governance, property and stakeholder matters.
As CRLL moves into the final stages of the project, you will play a key role in managing contractual obligations, overseeing legal claims and disputes, supporting the completion of property-related workstreams and helping prepare the organisation for its eventual wind-up. 

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the legal function and deliver strategic legal advice across the organisation
• Support the Executive General Manager, Board and Senior Leadership Team on complex legal and commercial matters
• Manage claims, disputes and litigation matters
• Oversee contract compliance and close-out activities
• Provide Company Secretary and Board secretariat services
• Manage relationships with external legal providers and ensure cost-effective delivery of legal services
• Lead responses to Official Information Act requests and other statutory obligations
• Maintain and oversee governance frameworks, policies and compliance activities
• Lead and develop the Property team through the final phases of the project
• Oversee land acquisition compensation matters, easements, covenants, land disposals and dispute resolution activities
• Support the successful completion and eventual wind-up of CRLL’s operations 

Leadership Responsibilities

A key component of this role is the leadership oversight of the Property function.
 
The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership and support across a range of high-profile property matters while leveraging the expertise already within the team. Experience in property law is advantageous, however we are seeking a broad, commercially focused legal leader who can confidently oversee these workstreams and provide sound judgement across a diverse portfolio of legal matters.

About You

You will be an experienced legal professional with the maturity, confidence and judgement to operate autonomously and influence outcomes at a senior level.

You will likely possess:

• 10+ years’ PQE
• Experience within a top-tier or well-regarded national law firm and/or a complex organisational environment
• Strong commercial, corporate, contract or property law experience
• A current New Zealand practising certificate
• Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building skills
• The ability to navigate complex and sometimes competing stakeholder interests
• Strong commercial judgement and pragmatic decision-making capability
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach
• Diplomacy, resilience and the confidence to back your advice

Why Join CRLL?

Opportunities like this are rare.

This is your chance to join a nationally significant organisation at a pivotal point in its journey and leave a lasting legacy on one of New Zealand’s most important infrastructure projects.

In return, CRLL offers:

• Competitive salary package
• Four weeks’ annual leave
• One additional week of wellbeing leave
• Flexible working arrangements
• Modern Newmarket offices with bike storage and shower facilities
• The opportunity to work alongside highly experienced executives, board members and stakeholders
• A unique role combining legal leadership, governance, stakeholder engagement and team leadership

Apply Now:

Madison Recruitment is proud to be partnering with City Rail Link Limited on this appointment.

For a confidential discussion, please contact Heather Kerr on 09 303 4455 or email heather.kerr@madison.co.nz

To apply, please submit your CV via the application link. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.