Commercial Leasing Specialist - WCP

Tēnei tūranga – About the role

The Government Property Group is accountable for the strategic leadership of the government’s office accommodation portfolio and provisioning for the centralisation of components of the government’s property function.  The government’s office accommodation portfolio is significant, encompassing circa 1,000,000 sqm of office space and a rental spend of circa $330 million per year across 73 agencies, including Crown Agents.

In 2020, the establishment of System Leadership under the Public Service Act created an opportunity to manage the government’s office accommodation more effectively and efficiently.  The Chief Executive of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment was appointed as the System Leader for Property by the Public Service Commissioner to drive a whole-of-system approach to strategic property matters, including the government’s office accommodation portfolio.

A project has been initiated to consolidate Wellington government office accommodation into several anchor buildings and to achieve savings for the Crown (the Wellington Consolidation project – ‘WCP’).  A key component of the project will be the execution of effective commercially savvy lease negotiations, including new leases, lease renewals and exits, and the management of complex lease disagreements between agencies and landlords.

The Commercial Leasing Specialist is a result orientated, strategic, and influential role and reports to the Project Director WCP.  The role holder is responsible for the implementation of the WCP by undertaking negotiation with landlords for new leases and changes to lease arrangements on behalf of agencies. The position will develop and implement lease negotiation strategies to align with portfolio plans, achieve improved property portfolio performance (e.g. cost savings) for government, and ensure successful execution of leasing initiatives across multiple locations in a timely manner.  The role will work with agencies and landlords to resolve contractual lease issues should they arise, and support negotiations around lease exits as appropriate.

The Commercial Leasing Specialist requires a comprehensive understanding of how government office accommodation fits within the property system, as well as a strategic outlook and experience managing a diverse and large number of commercial properties. 

Ngā herenga – Requirements of the role

Personal specifications

• Must have 15+ years negotiating complex, detailed leases and managing an extensive property portfolio ideally in the Government sector.
• Sound and up-to-date understanding of the business of government agencies, and the ability to engage effectively at senior levels to build trust and credibility, problem solve, influence, and gain cooperation.
• An existing reputation as a highly credible property negotiator and leader, and strong existing relationships with key players in the commercial property sector.
• Proven experience in leasing management, preferably at a national or regional level, with a solid understanding of leasing principles, real estate markets, and lease negotiations.
• Demonstrated success achieving leasing targets, negotiating large value, complex leases and managing a large portfolio of property, ideally in a central or local government environment.
• Advanced experience leading the scoping, procurement and negotiation of complex commercial leases and leasing transactions including in-depth knowledge of partnering agreements, development agreements, agreements to lease and leases/licences.
• Advanced knowledge of building performance specifications, design, integration and construction delivery processes as these inform commercial negotiations.
• Excellent negotiation and communication skills, both written and verbal, relationship building and management skills with the ability to engage effectively with stakeholders in a range of complex situations.
• Extensive experience working a real estate portfolio and understanding how property supports wider business objectives. 
• Extensive experience in property lease management including managing lease renewals, rent reviews, operating expense audits and related matters. 
• Excellent financial and commercial acumen when applied to key property and investment decisions.
• Sound problem solving, report writing and written communication skills.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to analyse market data, financial reports, and lease terms to make informed decisions and drive leasing strategies.
• A commitment to achieving results, and the ability to effectively prioritise workloads in a fast paced and changing environment.
• Proven ability to contribute as a member of a high performing team, encouraging an innovative and continuous learning culture with a strong focus on service delivery and solutions.
• Sound knowledge of property law, health and safety legislation and tenant / landlord obligations.
• Enthusiasm for challenges with a professional and proactive approach to your work.
• Willingness to travel throughout New Zealand when required.

Takohanga tuhinga o mua – Key accountabilities and deliverables

Leasing Responsibilities 

• Lease Negotiation and Execution: Undertake agency lease negotiations, renewals, extensions and exits ensuring favourable terms and conditions for the agency, savings for the Crown, while maintaining strong relationships with landlords.
• Ensure long term efficiencies and minimise government’s risk through effective negotiation and lease constructs.
• Lease Administration: Ensure accurate and timely lease administration, including lease documentation, lease renewals, rent adjustments, and lease compliance. Collaborate with legal and finance teams as necessary.
• Identify commercial leasing opportunities across the property portfolio, undertake appropriate due diligence, provide the commercial inputs and commercial context for business cases.
• Landlord Relationship Management: Foster positive relationships with landlord’s, addressing concerns and inquiries as appropriate and maintaining high satisfaction levels.  
• Provide expert commercial property advice and support to the Project Director WCP. 
• Maintain an in-depth understanding of the office accommodation market and prevailing market conditions.
• Ensure government lease negotiation activities are well anticipated, planned for, and delivered in partnership with agencies in a timely manner.
• Monitor all existing leases and key milestones and reporting to enable decision making well in advance of lease expiry and rent review dates.
• Use commercial procurement processes (while adhering to government’s rules of sourcing), appropriate due diligence and astute commercial and lease negotiation principles.
• Act as the initial point of contact for external landlords in managing all lease issues not resolved at an agency level.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships including developing networks (internally and externally) with individuals or groups to support business and market knowledge and the commercial management of the portfolio.
• Creation of a high degree of connection, engagement and influence with key stakeholder groups, including senior officials within government and the commercial property sector. 

Property Planning 

• Leasing Strategy Development: Develop and implement comprehensive leasing strategies to maximize occupancy across government’s office accommodation portfolio.
• Market Research: Conduct market research to identify potential leasing opportunities, evaluate market conditions, and stay updated on competitive properties and industry trends.

Team Engagement

• Promote a positive team environment.
• Contribute as a member of the leasing and wider WCP team to implement WCP strategies and plans and deliver on outcomes. 
• Assist individuals to grow and develop by providing assistance and guidance to other team members.

Wellbeing, health & safety

• Displays commitment through actively supporting all safety and wellbeing initiatives
• Ensures own and others safety at all times
• Complies with relevant safety and wellbeing policies, procedures, safe systems of work and event reporting
• Reports all incidents/accidents, including near misses in a timely fashion
• Is involved in health and safety through participation and consultation.

Tō tūranga i roto i te Manatū – Your place in the Ministry

The Commercial Leasing Specialist reports into the Project Director WCP within the Government Property Group branch. The branch sits within the Building, Resources and Markets group.

More information about MBIE’s structure

To mātou aronga – What we do for Aotearoa New Zealand

Hīkina Whakatutuki is the te reo Māori name for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Hīkina means to uplift. Whakatutuki means to move forward, to make successful. Our name speaks to our purpose, Grow Aotearoa New Zealand for All.

To Grow Aotearoa New Zealand for All, we put people at the heart of our mahi. Based on the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi / The Treaty of Waitangi, we are committed to upholding authentic partnerships with Māori.

As agile public service leaders, we use our breadth and experience to navigate the ever-changing world. We are service providers, policy makers, investors and regulators. We engage with diverse communities, businesses and regions. Our work touches on the daily lives of New Zealanders. We grow opportunities (Puāwai), guard and protect (Kaihāpai) and innovate and navigate towards a better future (Auaha).

Ngā matatau – Our competencies

Cultivates innovation We create new and better ways for the organisation to be successful by challenging the status quo generating new and creative ideas and translating them into workable solutions.

Nimble learning We are curious and actively learn through experimentation when tackling new problems by learning as we go when facing new situations and challenges.

Customer focus We build strong customer relationships and deliver customer-centric solutions by listening and gaining insights into the needs of the communities we serve and actively seeking and responding to feedback.

Decision quality We make quality and timely decisions that shape the future for our communities and keep the organisation moving forward by relying on an appropriate mix of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgement to make valid and reliable decisions.

Action oriented We step up, taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with purpose, urgency and discipline by taking responsibility, ownership and action on challenges, and being accountable for the results.

Collaborates We connect, working together to build partnerships with our communities, working collaboratively to meet shared objectives by gaining trust and support of others; actively seeking the views, experiences, and opinions of others and by working co-operatively with others across MBIE, the public sector and external stakeholder groups.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi

As an agency of the public service, MBIE has a responsibility to contribute to the Crown meeting its obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Te Tiriti). Meeting our commitment to Te Tiriti will contribute towards us realising the overall aims of Te Ara Amiorangi – Our Path, Our Direction, and achieve the outcome of Growing New Zealand for All. The principles of Te Tiriti - including partnership, good faith, and active protection – are at the core of our work. MBIE is committed to delivering on our obligations as a Treaty partner with authenticity and integrity and to enable Māori interests. We are committed to ensuring that MBIE is well placed to meet our obligations under the Public Service Act 2020 (Te Ao Tūmatanui) to support the Crown in strengthening the Māori/Crown Relationship under the Treaty and to build MBIE’s capability, capacity and cultural intelligence to deliver this.

Mahi i roto i te Ratonga Tūmatanui – Working in the public service

Ka mahitahi mātou o te ratonga tūmatanui kia hei painga mō ngā tāngata o Aotearoa i āianei, ā, hei ngā rā ki tua hoki. He kawenga tino whaitake tā mātou hei tautoko i te Karauna i runga i āna hononga ki a ngāi Māori i raro i te Tiriti o Waitangi. Ka tautoko mātou i te kāwanatanga manapori. Ka whakakotahingia mātou e te wairua whakarato ki ō mātou hapori, ā, e arahina ana mātou e ngā mātāpono me ngā tikanga matua o te ratonga tūmatanui i roto i ā mātou mahi.

In the public service we work collectively to make a meaningful difference for New Zealanders now and in the future. We have an important role in supporting the Crown in its relationships with Māori under the Treaty of Waitangi. We support democratic government. We are unified by a spirit of service to our communities and guided by the core principles and values of the public service in our work.

What does it mean to work in Aotearoa New Zealand’s Public Service?(external link) — Te Kawa Mataaho The Public Service Commission