Operations Manager

Victoria University of Wellington · Kelburn

Can you confidently lead and develop teams while building strong stakeholder relationships?
Are you a people-focused leader who thrives in a fast-paced and varied operational environment?
Do you have experience managing budgets, business systems, facilities, and service delivery while identifying opportunities for improvement?

Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the role

Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is currently recruiting an Operations Manager to join the University Recreation, Campus Operations team on a permanent, full-time contract.

Few operations roles offer this breadth, variety, and influence. As the operational leader of University Recreation, you'll connect people, systems, facilities, finances, and strategy to enable our sport, clubs, fitness, and wellbeing services to deliver their best. You'll play a critical role in shaping a vibrant campus experience for thousands of students every year.

Key responsibilities:

Lead the engine room of Recreation by overseeing daily operations, HR support, administration, business systems, facilities, and frontline service delivery on behalf of the department.
Drive performance and improvement through financial oversight, reporting, technology enhancements, and strategic operational projects.
Lead and develop people by supporting, coaching, and growing our Recreation Advisor and Customer Service teams.
Influence across the University by leading in health and safety, student engagement initiatives, stakeholder relationships, communications, and providing strategic advice to the Head of Sport & Recreation.

This is an exciting opportunity for a versatile leader who enjoys variety, thrives on collaboration, and wants to have a meaningful impact across all areas of a dynamic university student service.

Ō pūmanawa - About you

You're an adaptable and people-focused leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same. Equally comfortable working with budgets, business systems, facilities, staff, and students, you'll bring a proactive approach to problem-solving and a passion for creating outstanding experiences.

You'll enjoy collaborating across a wide range of stakeholders and will be motivated by opportunities to improve services, lead change, and make a visible impact on campus life.

We're looking for someone who can:

Lead with confidence by developing high-performing teams, building strong relationships, and fostering a positive, customer-focused culture.
Think commercially and operationally with experience managing budgets, analysing performance, and driving efficient business outcomes.
Improve systems and services through strong organisational skills, technology capability, and a track record of delivering process improvements.
Navigate complexity and variety with excellent communication, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills, while maintaining a strong commitment to health, safety, wellbeing, and inclusion.

You'll ideally bring experience in operations, recreation, sport, customer service, business administration, or a related field. Knowledge of the tertiary education environment would be an advantage.

Role Description: Click here to see further information, including salary details.

If this link is not available, click 'apply' to view this on the University career's page.

Close date for vacancy: 03 November 2026, 5PM.

Contact details for vacancy: If you have any questions regarding this role, please get in touch with Karl Whalen, Head of Sport and Recreation (karl.whalen@vuw.ac.nz).

How to apply: Please ensure you are applying for this role directly on our careers page and not via email. Candidates must submit supporting documents along with their resume, such as a cover letter. For current Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington staff, secondment applications will be considered.

We can only consider applicants who are citizens or residents of New Zealand or Australia or on a current working visa. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and we may progress with suitable applicants prior to the application closing date. Applications from recruitment agencies are not accepted.

Mō Te Herenga Waka - About Our University

Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is renowned for its high-quality research and exceptional teaching. We attract people from around the world. Our university campus spans Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington - the creative, scientific and political centre of Aotearoa New Zealand - and our students thrive on the connections we have made here.

Explore the many benefits of working at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. Find out where you fit in our strategic direction and learn more about our research expertise.

Permanent, full-time opportunity to lead University Recreation operations.

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