Mr Briggs' appointment to lead the city council was announced by Dunedin Mayor Sophie Barker in a press release this afternoon.
He saw off 43 other applicants for the job, including three from overseas.
Mr Briggs will replace incumbent Sandy Graham when her contract expiries in October.
Ms Barker last month confirmed Ms Graham had not applied to continue her role.
Mr Briggs spent seven years as the chief executive of Hamilton City Council, "leading the organisation through a significant period of growth and transformation".
“My focus at Hamilton City Council was on building organisational credibility, unlocking major infrastructure investment, and securing partnerships with central government that made a real difference to housing and community outcomes in Hamilton.
“I’ve spent a significant portion of my career in local government and I’m genuinely passionate about it.
“At my core I’m someone who loves building great organisations and getting the best out of the people in them. I believe world-class public sector organisations are absolutely achievable — and that when they’re firing, the difference to communities is profound.
"I’m coming to Dunedin energised and ready to get stuck in,” Mr Briggs says.
The job will represent a return to Dunedin for Mr Briggs, who previously lived and raised a family in the city while working for Audit New Zealand.
Mr Briggs takes up the role in October 2026.
