Director Operations

2 weeks ago

Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand Department of Conservation Full time
Senior conservation operations opportunity.

  • Build and inspire high performing teams.
  • Regional, strategic stakeholder, leadership role.
Toitū te marae a Tāne-Mahuta, toitū te marae a Tangaroa, toitū te tangata
If the land is well and the sea is well, the people will thrive.

Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) serves to protect and sustain nature across Aotearoa.

We put nature and people at the heart of our mahi, guided by te reo Māori, te ao Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.


We do this by:

- protecting land, species, ecosystems, and cultural heritage for conservation purposes
- managing threats and adverse impacts
- being a voice for conservation
- connecting people to nature.

He angitūtanga | About the role

A unique opportunity has become available to join Te Papa Atawhai in the role of Director, Operations leading the delivery of our conservation work in Lower North Island (LNI) and Chatham Island regions.

We are looking for a dedicated and influential leader, who has demonstrated experience leading high performing teams to join our national Operations group.

Reporting to the Deputy Director-General, Operations, this role leads the work of a large and diverse region with district offices based in the Chatham Islands, Palmerston North, Wairarapa, Kapiti Coast and Napier.

In this role you will provide strategic leadership to the essential biodiversity, recreation/historic and community engagement conservation work delivered on the ground.

The role has a strong stakeholder engagement element and is responsible for maintaining close relationships and engagement with iwi partners, commercial, community and government entities.

You will be seen as the 'face of the organisation' for the Lower North Island (LNI) region.
The role has the flexibility to be based within the wider region. Due to the distributed location of your teams, regular travel will be required.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

You will be seen as a credible and effective relationship builder and be comfortable working with a diverse stakeholder group.

Being an experienced people leader, you will have the ability to inspire, motivate and lead large teams operating across multiple locations.

Your style will foster a culture of continuous improvement and high engagement, where health, safety and wellbeing are a top priority for all those you lead.

To be considered for the role you will demonstrate the following capabilities:

  • Proven operational leadership experience in a large and complex organisation (environmental or resource management related sector is desirable).
  • Strong skills and experience in working with iwi/hapu groups, and with Councils, Government agencies and other stakeholders.
  • Experience leading projects to completion within a fast paced, demanding environment.
  • Core people leadership skills and commitment to developing your team.
  • You will be committed to the kaupapa of Te Papa Atawhai and its mahi conserving and managing New Zealand's natural, historic, and cultural heritage.
Mō te tīma | About the team
At Te Papa Atawhai we express our spirit of service and serve Aotearoa through our purpose, Papatūānuku Thrives.

Our focus is ensuring our ecosystems from mountains to sea are thriving and that people are connected to nature and to our cultural heritage.

Our work is anchored by a commitment to be an honourable Treaty partner, recognising that Te Tiriti o Waitangi and our whānau, hapū and iwi are central to all our mahi.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What's in it for you?

Te Papa Atawhai is committed to fostering a diverse workforce that represents the communities we serve, creating an inclusive workplace culture, supporting the relationship between Māori and the Crown, and lifting our cultural capability.

We encourage our people to bring their authentic self and unique perspectives to work, in pursuit of our collective aspirations.


Our commitment to well-being and professional development includes:
Career development, secondment and training opportunities to help you realise your goals.
Study assistance in programmes that are relevant to your work.
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and discounted medical insurance.
Great discounts on DOC accommodation and outdoor apparel and gear so you're ready for your next adventure.
Te Pukenga Atawhai - Cultural Capability Development Programme.


Eligibility to work in New Zealand is mandatory - this includes holding a valid work visa that covers the whole period of employment.

Applications close at 5 pm on Sunday, 5 March 2023.

Job Reference:
DOC/1700674

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