Legal Services Manager

Lead a talented legal team. Shape regulatory outcomes. Make a real difference.

Wellington | Permanent | Leadership Opportunity

Do you enjoy leading high-performing lawyers while remaining close to complex and meaningful legal work?

The Real Estate Authority | Te Mana Papawhenua (REA) is looking for an exceptional legal leader to join our Legal Services team as Legal Services Manager.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a highly capable team of regulatory lawyers working at the heart of New Zealand's real estate regulatory system. You'll help shape the future of legal services within REA while influencing outcomes that promote consumer protection, professional standards, and public confidence in the real estate sector.

About REA | Mo matou

The Real Estate Authority is the independent conduct regulator for New Zealand's real estate profession. Our purpose is simple but important: to promote and protect the interests of consumers and strengthen public confidence in real estate agency work. The work we do has a real impact on consumers, licensees, and the wider profession. No two days are the same.

The role | Mo te tunga

Reporting to the General Counsel, you'll lead a team of talented solicitors responsible for delivering legal advice, litigation, regulatory policy support, and operational legal services across the organisation.

You'll provide leadership, mentoring and strategic direction while remaining actively involved in complex legal matters, including:

• Regulatory decisions and enforcement matters;
• Litigation before the Real Estate Agents Disciplinary Tribunal and courts
• Administrative and public law issues
• Governance and statutory interpretation advice
• Regulatory policy and legislative reform work
• Privacy, information and organisational risk matters

You'll work closely with senior leaders across REA and contribute to the continued development of an effective, high-performing legal function.

About you| Mou |

You might currently be:

• A Senior Solicitor or Principal Solicitor looking to progress their people leadership experience; or
• An experienced legal manager seeking a broader and more varied regulatory environment.

Either way, you'll bring:

• A current New Zealand practising certificate
• Strong litigation, regulatory, public law, or enforcement experience
• Sound judgement and the ability to navigate complex legal issues
• A collaborative leadership style and a passion for developing others
• Excellent relationship management and communication skills
• A pragmatic approach focused on solutions and outcomes

Most importantly, you'll enjoy working in a regulatory environment where the work is varied, intellectually challenging, and genuinely matters.

The benefits | Nga painga |

At REA you'll find:

• A high-performing and supportive legal team
• Interesting and varied work across litigation, advisory, policy and regulation
• Flexible working arrangements
• Opportunities to influence organisational strategy and regulatory practice
• A culture that values collaboration, continuous improvement and professional growth
• The chance to contribute to better outcomes for consumers and communities throughout New Zealand

If you're looking for a role that combines leadership, legal excellence, and meaningful public service, we'd love to hear from you.

To apply | Tono mai

Please direct any queries and send your CV, Cover Letter and a completed application form to ***email_hidden*** The application form can be found on the REA website: https://www.rea.govt.nz/the-real-estate-authority/work-for-us/.

We welcome people who bring a range of perspectives, skills and experience. We encourage you to apply if you meet most of our requirements for the role.

Please let us know if you have any support or accessibility needs so we can assist you during the recruitment process.

Closing date 5pm, 29 June 2026.

Please note, you must have a legal right to work in New Zealand. Successful appointment is conditional upon police vetting and qualification checks.