Work for us

Principal Solicitor - Legal Team

• Small and agile Government Regulator
• Challenging and stimulating work with huge variety
• Great opportunity to be a technical lead and mentor colleagues
• Supportive, family-friendly and fun workplace

About the Real Estate Authority

Real Estate Authority (REA) is the independent government agency that regulates the New Zealand real estate industry. Our aim is to promote and protect the interests of consumers involved in real estate transactions, and to promote a high standard of professionalism and service in the industry. As a small regulator, REA is a responsive and agile work environment. The ability to quickly adapt to changes in the sector, along with our fun and supportive team culture, add to the attraction of this role.

About the role/team

The role sits in the Legal Team. The Principal Solicitor reports to the General Counsel and is responsible for being the functional lead for REA’s litigation, working within our Complaints Assessment Committees process and provide key advice on regulatory matters of REA. The Principal Solicitor will also play a key role in our relationship with external counsel and our Complaint Assessment Committee members.  The ideal candidate will have proven skills in dispute resolution, active litigation management (including appearances), the provision of high quality legal advice in a regulatory environment, and mentoring junior colleagues. They will be confident and capable, and able to make sound decisions on complex legal issues under time pressures. They will be well organised, have a high degree of initiative and drive, excellent interpersonal, analytical and communication skills.

Key responsibilities include:

• effectively lead REA’s litigation and provision of legal advice on all aspects of the complaints and appeal process.
• Providing high quality legal advice in REA’s operational, public-law decision making and licensing functions.
• Building strong and effective working relationship with our Complaint Assessment Committee members, external counsel on litigation matters, and across REA.
• developing and providing training to Complaints Assessment Committees and REA staff on legislative compliance and legal issues that relate to the REAA’s regulatory environment
• demonstrating and promoting REA’s values, including the ’Our People Matter’ philosophy of increased collaboration and proactively working across REA and with key external stakeholders.

To be considered for an interview for this important role with REA you must be an experienced senior legal practitioner and hold a current practising certificate. You will have recent significant experience in dispute resolution, managing litigation files (including appearances). Ideally, you will have worked in a regulatory environment.

This is an opportunity to be a part of a new enthusiastic and collegial team where the work is fast paced, diverse and interesting. We have a culture of innovation and collaboration. Team members have commented on the challenging and stimulating work and the huge variety it holds. We invite you to join them.

To apply:  forward your CV, cover letter and a completed application form to recruitment@rea.govt.nz no later than Friday 3^rd May

Here is a link to the Job Description

Senior Investigator - Regulatory Services Team

• Are you an exceptional investigator looking for a new challenging opportunity?
• Small and agile Government Regulator
• Be part of a professional team

About the Real Estate Authority

The Real Estate Authority (REA)  is the independent government agency that regulates the New Zealand real estate industry. Our purpose is to promote and protect the interests of consumers with respect to real estate transactions, and to promote public confidence in real estate agency work. We work towards a better real estate experience for all with empowered consumers working with trusted real estate professionals. We are professional, proactive and our people matter.

The Senior Investigator position is responsible for undertaking investigations into:

• complaints about licensees directed by Complaints Assessment Committees (CACs);
• investigations into other reports of harm;
• the design and delivery of proactive compliance activities and interventions designed to promote and protect the interests of consumers engaging in real estate transactions;
• professional report writing on the issues: and
• the preparation and management of more serious cases to the Real Estate Agents Disciplinary Tribunal (Tribunal) or District Court.

The position will ensure CAC’s and the Tribunal have objective, well organised and accurate information required to make sound decisions on cases before them.

We are looking for a passionate individual who will support and enable the business to be successful and take pride in delivering excellent results. You should be a self-starter who is flexible and agile in your approach and thinking and can work with a level of ambiguity that comes with a smaller organisation.

Previous experience as an investigator is essential. Previous experience in a regulatory or compliance role and/or data analysis would be an advantage. This is a permanent full-time position based in Wellington. Applicants for this position should have NZ residency or a valid NZ work permit. 

To apply:  forward your CV, cover letter and a completed application form to recruitment@rea.govt.nz no later than Friday 10th May

Here is a link to the Job Description