Inland Revenue Legal Services has two opportunities to join our Advice/Technical Standards team as a Technical Lead based in Wellington or Christchurch. This is an excellent opportunity for somebody who is passionate about leadership and enjoys working collaboratively on complex tax technical issues.
About us - Mo matou
Inland Revenue plays a critical role in improving the economic and social wellbeing of New Zealanders by collecting and distributing money for the Crown. Legal Services is one of the largest government in-house legal teams and forms an integral part of the 'Customer and Compliance Services - Business' unit. The Legal Services team provides legal advice, technical support, dispute resolution and litigation services.
About the role - Mo te tunga
In this role you will:
- lead a team of around ten Solicitors and Technical Specialists within the Advice/Technical Standards work stream
- coach, mentor and build the tax technical capability of your team members consistently with our Legal Services vision, which focuses on valuing our people, realising potential and creating an attractive place to work
- provide both people and technical leadership in a fast paced and dynamic environment
- develop and maintain positive working relationships with Inland Revenue business units (particularly Customer and Compliance Services) and external stakeholders to better understand their needs
- prioritise and allocate work based on customer priorities and your teams' capacity and capability
- review and sign out legal, tax technical or social policy work items. This could include Inland Revenue website guidance and other externally published materials (such as Operational Statements and Determinations)
- understand how decisions and technical guidance impacts internal and external systems and customers, particularly systems relevant to New Zealand tax administration
- use your tax technical and social policy expertise to lead initiatives, act as a point of escalation and to operationalise legislation and policy changes
- remain up to date with technology and trends and use insights and intelligence to make high quality decisions.
Available locations - Nga Tauwahi Watea
Successful applicants will need to be based in Christchurch or Wellington.
About you - Mou
To be successful in this position you will possess the following attributes:
- Committed to leading, coaching, developing and supporting a team of Solicitors and Technical Specialists
- Strong and current legal and tax technical capability, with a desire to continuously learn and enhance your expertise
- Adept at managing a large team while simultaneously addressing multiple complex issues and competing priorities
- Proactive, motivated and solution focused to deliver great outcomes for internal and external customers
- Confident relationship management skills and experience working with and getting the best from a large team of subject matter experts and business partners
- Comfortable managing conflict and operating as a point of escalation
- Takes account of the bigger picture, customer needs and systems issues when prioritising tasks, allocating work, and offering legal and technical advice
You must have either a law degree and be eligible to hold a current New Zealand practicing certificate or have similar qualifications/experience in a context relevant to the work of Legal Services.
Apply here - Tono mai
This is a fantastic opportunity to lead a team of Solicitors and Technical Specialists and to have a real impact on compliance and the maintenance of the integrity of the New Zealand tax system.
We encourage you to bring your whole self to work and we're offering great support and development opportunities unique to you and your aspirations.
Please apply online by attaching a copy of your CV and a Cover Letter outlining how you meet the role requirements as outlined here and in the Role Description.
A copy of the Role Description can be found here: Technical Lead Role Description
For general queries, please contact [email protected] and one of the team will respond to your query.
The application period closes at 5pm on Wednesday, 3 September 2025.
