Property Strategy Lead at Department of Conservation | Te Papa Atawhai

Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

14 Apr, 26

Salary

128912.0

Posted On

14 Jan, 26

Experience

10 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Property Management, Asset Management, Strategic Planning, Financial Acumen, Relationship Building, Communication Skills, Legislation Knowledge, Investment Planning, Lifecycle Planning, Collaboration, Leadership, Crown Relationship Understanding, Trust Building, Continuous Improvement, Commercial Acumen, Complex Problem Solving

Industry

Government Administration

Description

Shape DOC’s property future and delivering sustainable outcomes for nature and communities. Salary range between $96,185 - $128,912 depending on skills and experience. Permanent role, Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch locations preferred. Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa The Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) serves to protect and restore nature across Aotearoa. When nature thrives, we all thrive. Ko tā Te Papa Atawhai he tiaki, he whakarauora anō hoki i te taiao puta noa i Aotearoa. He oranga taiao, he oranga tangata. Mō te tūranga | About the role We are looking for a strategic, commercially astute Property Strategy Lead to guide the long-term direction and investment planning of DOC’s diverse national property portfolio. This is a rare opportunity to influence how property assets support conservation outcomes, community partnerships, and sustainable public value. You will provide expert leadership across property strategy, asset investment planning, and continuous improvement working through influence, collaboration, and trusted partnerships across DOC and the wider public sector. As Property Strategy Lead, you will: Develop property strategies to support and implement DOC’s strategic direction, organisational priorities, and operational requirements and to ensure compliance with legislation and standards Integrate property strategy into DOC’s broader asset and investment frameworks, including the National Asset Management Strategy. Provide strategic oversight of property asset investment planning, capital budgets, and funding proposals. Apply best-practice asset management, financial, and lifecycle planning principles to ensure sustainable, efficient property outcomes. Lead strategic improvement initiatives to lift property and asset management capability across DOC. Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, translating complex technical and financial information into clear, actionable advice. Build strong relationships with iwi, hapū, whānau, public sector partners, regulators, and commercial entities. Lead through influence in complex, cross-functional environments, supporting an inclusive and high-performing organisational culture. Click here for the Role Description Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience We are looking for a seasoned property or asset management professional who can operate confidently at senior levels and lead through influence. You will bring: In-depth knowledge of relevant legislation (including the Conservation Act 1987 and Reserves Act 1977), with an understanding of the standards, frameworks, and mandatory requirements set by the Government Property Office. Significant experience in property or asset management, supported by a relevant qualification or equivalent expertise. Proven ability to develop and implement long-term property strategies within complex organisations. Strong commercial and financial acumen, including capital planning, investment frameworks, and lifecycle costing. Excellent relationship-building and communication skills to influence senior leaders and diverse stakeholders. Understanding of the Māori–Crown relationship and ability to work effectively in partnership. A current full driver licence desriable. He aha ngā pāinga mōu? | What’s in it for you? DOC places importance on developing a culture where everyone can participate, thrive, and grow. We’re working towards being an organisation that is diverse, equitable and inclusive by default. You can learn more about what we offer here. We support flexible work arrangements for our kaimahi who are working in a wide variety of roles and locations across Aotearoa. Flexible options will be considered based on your role and in discussion with your leader. Tonoa inaiānei | Apply now Apply online with a CV and cover letter that highlights your relevant skills, experience and motivation for joining Te Papa Atawhai. Please note we are unable to accept direct or emailed applications and provide feedback to those not shortlisted. If you require any accommodations or adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know. The salary range for this position is $96,185 to $128,912 with the starting salary of the successful applicant being based on their relevant skills and experience. Eligibility to work in New Zealand is mandatory – this includes holding a valid work visa that covers the whole period of employment. Please note we are not engaging with recruitment agencies for this role. Rā whakakapi | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Wednesday, 28 January 2026. Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries, please feel free to contact Adam Liao, National Asset Strategy Manager at aliao@doc.govt.nz. Please note that we have replaced our previous recruitment system with Workday, you will need to create a new Candidate Home account when applying for new roles. The Department of Conservation is a great place to work for anyone who is passionate about nature and the environment. Our people are responsible for caring for our land, water and native species. Spread throughout the country, they ensure that nature can thrive. They perform a huge range of tasks in roles from technical specialists to support staff and frontline rangers. Read more about Our role: About us

Responsibilities

The Property Strategy Lead will guide the long-term direction and investment planning of DOC’s national property portfolio, ensuring alignment with conservation outcomes and community partnerships. This role involves developing property strategies, providing oversight of investment planning, and leading improvement initiatives across the organization.