About this role

He angitūtanga: The opportunity

This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for shaping and advancing Auckland Council’s privacy framework. Reporting to the Head of Data Governance, you'll lead privacy governance, risk, assurance, incident coordination and capability uplift across the organisation, while leading a specialist team of one direct and three indirect reports.

Partnering with senior leaders across the organisati, you'll champion a strong privacy culture and support a federated privacy model across the group.

We are seeking a leader who can balance strategic thinking with practical delivery, providing trusted advice, navigating complex issues and influencing positive privacy outcomes across a large and diverse organisation

Ko koe tēnei | About you

You will be an experienced privacy professional who combines strong technical expertise with credibility, composure and excellent judgement.

You will know how to translate privacy requirements into practical, proportionate solutions and will be comfortable operating in a large, complex and highly connected organisation. Just as importantly, you will be an effective relationship builder who can challenge constructively, navigate competing priorities and bring people with you.

You will bring:

- Significant privacy leadership experience

- Strong privacy, risk and governance expertise

- Experience influencing senior stakeholders and managing complex issues

- Sound judgement, resilience and a pragmatic leadership style

- Experience building capability and leading teams

Experience in a large, complex or regulated environment is highly desirable.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou: What we offer

Auckland Council is the largest local government council across Oceania, serving over 1.7 million people and contributing towards making Tāmaki Makaurau a world-class city.

We offer a range of employee benefits and proudly support flexible working options where possible.

As part of our organisation, you’ll have access to a range of fantastic Auckland Council benefits, EAP services, an Oranga Day and discounted Leisure Centre membership and a range of other partnership discounts! View a snapshot of some of our employee benefits here: benefits

We are a diverse organisation – we value diversity in our thinking, and we can only achieve that with a diverse team!

Tono Mai: Apply Now!

This is an opportunity to lead privacy work with genuine organisational and public impact. You will help shape how privacy is understood, governed and embedded across a diverse group, while supporting responsible data use and maintaining the trust of the communities we serve.

You’ll join the Data Governance team within Customer and Shared Services and work across an organisation whose decisions and services touch the lives of Aucklanders every day. For a confidential discussion or for more information please get in touch with Rennie Sharma, Talent Acquisition Business Partner [email protected]

Application close date: 1st November 2026

Auckland Council is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and we are committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application to assist you through the recruitment process.

workingforauckland #aucklandcouncil

Band J role

Auckland Council is committed to protecting your privacy in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020. We collect personal information directly from you and, where relevant for the purpose of assessing you for employment, and employing you as part of the transport reform process, from third parties such as referees, previous employers (including Auckland Transport) recruitment agencies, and background checking providers.