Senior Solicitor (Property), 5+ years' PQE - AKL

Meeting with Practice Manager Desiree 10/09/24:

Desiree is very friendly and warm, and has been with the firm for many decades now. Started in Accounting, worked in Sydney at a law firm, moved back here and helped Armstrong Murray re-do their entire system. Lives in Davenport with her husband and has 3 adult children, and has a property on Great Barrier Island (how nice!). She goes to the gym a lot for her osteoporosis. She says that they haven't had much luck in their recruitment (they put up SEEK ads) and haven't had good applicants. We had coffee at Holy Shot, a cafe in Takapuna, which Armstrong Murray actually helped set up the contracts for. She showed me around the firm's offices too. 

This role:

They want a Property Lawyer with 5+ years' PQE (the level of experience is pretty fixed, and they wouldn't want someone with 10 years' experience either).

They currently have an overseas qualified solicitor who is being admitted soon but they still don't have someone with good NZ experience.

They want someone who is well-versed in conveyancing, commercial leasing, cross lease titles, Occupation Right Agreements, sub-divisions etc.

They ideally want someone who can supervise/manage some of the juniors as well

Ideal candidate/cultural fit: 

• Someone intelligent, experienced, open, friendly, and flexible. The firm is about 24-25 people and they're a good mix of cultures and religions and people are pretty respectful (or they have learned to be!). They all like to watch sport! 
• They have been around for so long that they have done a lot of multi-generational work (up to 3 generations!) - everything from helping a couple buy their first house, set up a small business, set up relationship property agreement, setting up family trusts and estates etc. Very cradle to grave type of firm.
• Ideally someone who will stay with the firm for a while - Desiree and the partners have been at the firm for multiple decades and their children have worked in the firm in some capacity or another somehow (cleaning, admin, law clerking etc.) - so they like that kind of family involvement as well. 

What they can offer:

• Morning tea every Monday morning and finish around 4:30pm on Fridays
• Social activities throughout the year
• WFH one day a week - junior lawyers could benefit from more time in the office, so ideally no more than this.
• Charity fundraisers (they hold a free team lunch/gathering and everyone contributes a little)
• Could maybe squeeze a car park for candidate (I saw 4-5 empty ones)
• Not an open plan office - the solicitors have their own little office (I said this was really nice, but apparently some people prefer open plan)
• Flexibility around family commitments or school events (they are quite understanding about this, as they all have their own families and understand that you can never get back time with your kids)
• Fee budget based on 5 billable hours per day

About Audit New Zealand

Audit New Zealand carries out public sector audits on behalf of the Controller and Auditor-General. They help to maintain the integrity of New Zealand’s system of government by providing independent assurance that public organisations are operating, accounting for, and reporting their performance as Parliament and New Zealanders intended.

With a family-friendly, flexible working environment, and a range of health-related benefits, Audit New Zealand is a fantastic place to advance your leadership career. 

About the role

The General Manager, Audit Services is a newly created leadership role that sits on Audit New Zealand’s executive leadership team and is based in Wellington.

In this role, you will be accountable for ensuring that Audit New Zealand is a high-performing audit practice, and you will be responsible for the overall management of Audit New Zealand’s audit delivery.

The primary objectives of this role are to ensure that quality audits are completed on time and to budget, to lead effective strategic and business planning on behalf of Audit New Zealand, and to monitor business performance to support the Executive Director and the Executive Leadership Team to effectively govern Audit New Zealand.

In this highly collaborative role, you will work closely with the cohort of Audit Directors, the Corporate Services Group, the General Manager Workforce Development and Support, and the wider Executive Leadership Team focused on continuous improvement across the organisation.

About you

We are seeking an experienced leader who brings a high level of professional credibility, an inclusive and approachable working style, and exceptional interpersonal skills.

To be successful in this role, you will offer:

• Considerable experience in a senior leadership role within a professional services setting, leading geographically dispersed teams and functional areas.
• Significant experience in developing and implementing successful business and operational strategies and plans.
• Demonstrated experience in identifying and driving business change initiatives to positively influence individual and business-wide performance and culture.
• Demonstrated experience of working at an executive level to communicate with, negotiate with, and influence senior leaders in a complex organisation.
• A good understanding (or ability to develop a good understanding) of the parliamentary and public sector environment, the political context of government, constitutional principles and practice including commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and the Public Audit Act 2001.

Apply now

To apply, submit your cover letter and resume by the closing date of 9am Monday, 23 September 2024. For a copy of the position description or a confidential discussion, contact Carl Church, Managing Director, Niche Recruitment on 021 1666441 or email carl.church@nicherecruitment.co.nz.

General Manager, Workforce Development and Support

• Executive leadership role
• Attract and retain a high-performing workforce
• Wellington based, flexible working environment

Newly created senior executive leadership role, where you can bring your workforce planning and organisational development experience to further evolve a high performing audit practice.

About Audit New Zealand

Audit New Zealand carries out public sector audits on behalf of the Controller and Auditor-General. They help to maintain the integrity of New Zealand’s system of government by providing independent assurance that public organisations are operating, accounting for, and reporting their performance as Parliament and New Zealanders intended.

With a family-friendly, flexible working environment, and a range of health-related benefits, Audit New Zealand is a fantastic place to advance your leadership career.

About the role

The General Manager, Workforce Development and Support is a newly created leadership role that sits on Audit New Zealand’s executive leadership team and is based in Wellington.

As outlined in the Auditor-General’s strategic intentions to 2028, there is an ongoing global shortage of auditors, and fewer people studying accountancy-related subjects in New Zealand universities.

In this highly collaborative role, you will work closely with the General Manager Audit Services and the Director, People and Capability to understand, plan for, and implement capacity and capability needs to ensure that Audit New Zealand can sustainably deliver quality audits.

You will have a key role in leading organisation change and culture building through your leadership and implementation of workforce planning and workforce development initiatives.

You will be across workforce demand and capacity forecasting, and spearhead strategies to ensure audit engagements are resourced and deployed appropriately. You will also lead recruitment and retention planning and develop programmes to enhance leadership and management capability including future leader pathways.

About you

We are seeking an experienced leader who brings a high level of professional credibility, an inclusive and approachable working style, and exceptional interpersonal skills.

To be successful in this role, you will offer:

• Considerable experience in a senior leadership role within a professional services setting or similar corporate environment, leading both teams and functional areas.
• Extensive experience in developing and implementing successful resourcing, workforce management, and organisational development policies and practices (including culture, remuneration, recruitment, retention, and training and development strategies).
• Demonstrated experience in identifying and driving business change initiatives to positively influence individual and business-wide performance and culture.
• A good understanding (or ability to develop a good understanding) of the parliamentary and public sector environment, the political context of government, constitutional principles and practice including commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and the Public Audit Act 2001.

Apply now

To apply, submit your cover letter and resume by the closing date of 9am Monday, 23 September 2024. For a copy of the position description or a confidential discussion, contact Jane Temel, Director, Niche Recruitment on 021 499 902 or email jane.temel@nicherecruitment.co.nz.

At Niche, we create pathways between exceptional people and specialist roles.

We have a strategic focus on building stronger, more representative and inclusive workplaces in Aotearoa New Zealand.  In order to deliver on our vision and values we must identify the very best talent for our clients.  To do this we need consultants with specialist skills in truly understanding the needs of our clients and identifying the top potential talent for the roles our clients entrust us with.  

We place huge value on our candidates, and appreciate that they trust us with their futures, and we take that responsibility really seriously.

As legal recruitment specialists we are focused on building and nurturing communities of legal talent.  Our ability to understand what our clients need and identify the best people to go forward for new roles puts us at the forefront of our field.

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About the role

We are seeking a Legal Recruitment Consultant to join our team in Tāmaki Makaurau. On a daily basis you will be:

• Connecting with the legal market, building networks of clients to whom you will act as a trusted advisor on recruitment matters
• Interviewing and assessing professional and executive talent, and other specialist candidates as requested, ensuring that you can identify transferable skills and accurately represent them in order to maximise their career possibilities
• Connecting and getting to know candidates, and developing the basis for long lasting relationships with our current and future leaders.

Ko koe tēnei | About you

We are looking for an awesome communicator, who is a natural connector.  If you’re already the friend introducing all your friends to one another, introducing family members to potential employers or vice versa (and maybe a bit of match making), this job is for you. A genuine interest in helping people realise their goals is a huge component of the role. 

You should enjoy working as part of a team and have a flair for dealing with people from all walks of life.  Niche places great importance on Diversity and Inclusion strategies in the workplace and ensuring that these standards are met within our recruitment processes.  Dedication in this area, together with the desire to succeed will ensure your success. 

You will ideally have completed an LLB and may be a new graduate, or you may have gained legal practice experience, or other work experience.

With the demographics of our nation changing, we’re excited to welcome applicants who have proficiency in te reo Māori, Mandarin or Cantonese or a Pacific language, but this is not essential.

Mōu | For you

Our rewards include a competitive base salary, uncapped bonus structure, flexibility to work from home, a mobile/data plan, along with the potential to earn up to 12 extra paid leave days a year.

As a Māori-owned business, we’re passionate about the revitalisation of te reo Māori and we provide weekly te reo Māori lessons for all our kaimahi (staff).

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

For a confidential discussion, phone Carl Church on +64 211666 441 or Jane Temel on +64 21 499 902  or email: carl.church@nicherecruitment.co.nz or jane.temel@nicherecruitment.co.nz

Submit your covering letter and CV via the APPLY NOW button. More details can be found at www.nicherecruitment.co.nz

Escape the city grind and build a fulfilling legal career in the sunny skies and beaches of the Bay of Plenty!

We are seeking exceptional legal talent to join full-service legal practices in Tauranga, Rotorua and Whakatāne.

This is your opportunity to:

• Expand your legal expertise across a diverse range of practice areas.
• Build a rewarding career with competitive compensation, great benefits and a fantastic work/life balance.
• Accelerate your career progression through ongoing training and support from experienced practitioners in a close-knit and supportive environment.

If you are qualified to practise in New Zealand, with strong communication skills and enjoy working in team environments, let’s talk!

Here are some of the roles that we are currently recruiting for:

Tauranga

• Solicitor (Employment) – 1-3 years’ PQE
• Solicitor (Relationship Property) – 2-3+ years’ PQE
• Solicitor (Litigation) – 3-5 years’ PQE
• Senior Solicitor (Commercial Property) – 3+ years’ PQE
• Senior Solicitor (Corporate/Commercial) – 3+ years’ PQE
• Senior Solicitor (Litigation) – 3+ years’ PQE
• Senior Solicitor (Employment / Litigation) – 5-6 years’ PQE
• Senior Solicitor (Property) – 5+ years’ PQE
• Senior Associate (with Partnership Pathway) – 8-10+ years’ PQE

Support Roles:

• Legal Executive (Commercial Property) – 3+ years’ PQE
• Estates Administrator (with legal experience)

Whakatane

• Solicitor (Litigation/Employment/Family) – 3+ years’ PQE

Rotorua

• Solicitor (Litigation) – 2+ years’ PQE

While these practice areas and levels of experience are of particular interest, we still encourage you to contact us even if your experience or expertise lies elsewhere. We are happy to discuss your career and may have other roles that would better suit your skillset!

At Niche Recruitment, we are proud to have 30 years of expertise in legal recruitment. We have the knowledge, connections and experience to connect you with exciting opportunities all throughout Aotearoa.

Get into contact today!

You can also contact Meilin Wu (LLB/BCom) on 021483490 or meilin.wu@nicherecruitment.co.nz for more information and a confidential discussion about the role and what you’re looking for.  

We are looking for Mandarin-speaking lawyers with a variety of experience and expertise!

This is your chance to:

• Receive valuable mentorship from experienced practitioners who will help you reach your full potential.
• Have more autonomy and gain exposure to interesting and hands-on legal work.
• Bridge the language gap and deliver exceptional legal services for the Chinese community.

At Niche Recruitment, we are proud to have 30 years of expertise in legal recruitment. We have the knowledge, connections and experience to connect you with exciting opportunities all throughout Aotearoa.

Do you match any/all of the following?

• NZ qualified lawyer (with current Practicing Certificate)
• Current experience in private practice (law firm) OR in-house counsel (public, corporate, education, regulatory body)
• Seeking a legal opportunity in one of the major NZ cities or regions
• 1-12+ years’ PQE – we have a variety of roles to match whatever stage of your career you are in.

Here are some of the roles that we are recruiting for:

• Solicitor (Civil and Criminal Litigation) (5-7 years’ PQE) - AKL
• Senior Property Lawyer (8+ years’ PQE) - AKL

While these practice areas and experience levels are of particular interest, we still encourage you to contact us even if your expertise lies elsewhere. We are happy to discuss your career and may have other roles that would better suit your skillset.

Get in contact today! 

You can contact Meilin Wu (LLB/BCom) on 021483490 or meilin.wu@nicherecruitment.co.nz for a confidential conversation about your career and our current opportunities.

The Opportunity

Our client is a well-respected, full service law firm in Auckland's CBD with an outstanding employment brand.  They are now looking for an experienced lawyer to join their Litigation & Disputes team.

Within this team there are experienced litigators for every core area of their dispute resolution services – insurance, construction, insolvency, employment, trade and transport.  You will be working most closely with senior lawyers who are specialised in the area of insurance law litigation and dispute resolution and will be providing legal advice on a range of general insurance matters, including professional indemnity as well as general liability, cover issues, recoveries and material damage policies.

You will act for a broad range of clients and technical experts across a wide range of fields, including professional service providers, consultants, contractors, manufacturers and their insurers (the team are included on a number of insurers' panels). They appear regularly in arbitrations, the District and High Courts as well at appellate level.

The partners' work style is inclusive and consultative with an excellent focus on open communication and mentoring. The culture of this firm is one where its staff say that it is a real pleasure to come to work with friendly, supportive and diverse people.  

About You

• A NZ qualified solicitor with approximately 3-6 years' experience with ideally some experience in complex civil and/or commercial litigation matters. This experience may be from either a top tier firm, well-regarded mid-tier, boutique firm, barrister chambers or even large provincial practice role. 
• Whilst experience in insurance law would be advantageous, our client is willing to consider candidates who do not have previous experience in this area of law provided they have a strong interest to practise in this specialist area of law.
• A strong  academic record. 
• A team player with 'can do' attitude.

About the Firm

The firm has a strong reputation for excellence and is known as ‘a good place to work’, offering a balanced environment. They really value their people and offer excellent on-going professional development opportunities. There are unique benefits, including 5 days' extra domestic leave p.a. and genuinely available flexible working arrangements.  You will not be disappointed in what you find here!

How to apply?

To apply click the "Apply Now" or "I'm Interested" button, or for more information and a confidential discussion about these roles, please contact Amaia Muru (021 599 093 or amaia.muru@nichrecruitment.co.nz), quoting Job Ref: 42903