About the Law Society
The New Zealand Law Society Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa is the professional body for barristers and solicitors in New Zealand. The Law Society regulates all lawyers practising in New Zealand and is the membership organisation for practising lawyers. With 13 branch offices throughout the country, the Law Society is the Kaitiaki (guardian) of the practise of law in Aotearoa New Zealand and the consumers of legal services.
About the role
We are seeking an exceptional candidate to join the Lawyers Complaints Service within the Professional Standards area of the Law Society. The role is responsible for leading and managing the activities of Complaints Service staff within the National Standards (NSC) team, to ensure it meets its statutory obligations as required by the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006 (the Act). This is a full-time, permanent position based in the Wellington office.
The NSC team is responsible for processing complaints and reports from the public and lawyers, and supporting three Lawyers Standards Committees to consider and make decisions on them. Complaints and reports managed by the team and these Committees are often complex or of notable public interest or importance to the profession. As such, it is critical to the success of the role and the NSC team that the Team Leader has proven expertise working across teams to identify and manage risk, be a savvy and professional communicator at all levels, including when escalating issues, and be willing to fully understand and monitor the facts and progress of several high-profile complaints at any one time. Being able to stay calm under pressure and confidently manage a large workload is also a must.
As the Team Leader, you will be responsible for promoting the ongoing development of the team, including training and coaching staff to achieve key performance requirements. You will also be accountable for supporting the team in their relationships with and advice to Committees and for providing accurate and timely technical advice and assistance with solving issues as they arise. The work is challenging, varied and fast-paced, requiring a high level of judgment, attention to detail, personal responsibility and resilience. The ability to develop team members and establish and maintain relationships remotely is also crucial as Law Society staff are based around the motu.
Our ideal applicant will have:
- Experience in or proven ability to undertake complex complaint management and complaint resolution work
- Experience in people leadership and/or senior advisory roles requiring strong critical thinking, legal analysis and statutory interpretation (legal experience is desirable)
- Experience working within a regulatory framework (preferable)
- Proven expertise in communicating at all levels (including handling a high degree of scrutiny from senior management and stakeholders) and confidently presenting to senior members of the Law Society and the profession when required
- Strong ability and experience with establishing, leading, mentoring and developing a high performing team, including where team members are remote
- Maintain a high level of discretion, personal accountability and professionalism at all times
- Exemplary relationship building and management skills, including the ability to deliver directions or updates appropriately and sensitively
- Ability to consistently perform under pressure and to role model positive stress management when appropriate
- Ability to consistently exercise sound judgement across a wide range of operational activities and functions
- Ability to prioritise, implement systems, meet deadlines and to plan and structure workload is required
- Ability to provide, facilitate and/or commission precise technical advice and take a strategic approach when required
- Exemplary written and oral communication is essential. Written skills must include the ability to produce concise, well-structured, and well-reasoned material
- A strong sense of personal responsibility and accountability for the work of the team, including the timely progress of all matters, the quality of work and the escalation of any risks and issues
- Empathy with members of the public and legal profession
We are looking for candidates who share our purpose of Kaitiaki of an exemplary legal professional in Aotearoa and understand how our values of Kaitiakitanga – tāria te wā, Manaakitanga and Pono underpin the work we do at New Zealand Law Society.
What we can offer
Become part of an exceptional team in a dynamic organisation, where the work is challenging and rewarding. We offer a cohesive workplace culture across our organisation with a number of social activities to come together across teams to connect and collaborate with colleagues. Your development and growth will be nurtured, and your work recognised and valued.
It is important that the Law Society attract, support, and retain quality staff and one of the ways we achieve this is by offering employees some flexibility to manage their work/life balance. We embrace flexible working to support our staff to deliver their best, achieve a good work-life balance and to connect and collaborate with others by providing a hybrid approach, sharing your time between the office and home.
Other benefits of working at the Law Society include:
- Three days Special Leave to use during our annual close-down period between Christmas and the new year
- One day’s Birthday Leave to celebrate your birthday (permanent and 12+ fixed term contract employees only)
- Annual wellness contribution (permanent and 12+ fixed term contract employees only)
- Discounts and benefits as part of our membership Partner Programme
- Competitive remuneration
Diversity and inclusion are important to us, and the Law Society is keen to ensure that appointments reflect Aotearoa New Zealand’s multicultural society. Applications from a diverse range of backgrounds are encouraged.
How to apply
If you would like to apply, please submit your CV and cover letter through Seek.
Applications close 5pm, Friday 8 May 2026
Shortlisting may occur whilst the advertisement is open, so we encourage you to make an early application.
For a confidential discussion and additional information, including the position description, please contact the People and Culture team at human.resources@lawsociety.org.nz
Applicants for this position must have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa.
