Performance Sport Team Leader

Job Description

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The Opportunity

We are seeking a Performance Sport Team Leader to lead our performance sport programmes. This role is based in Hiwa, Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland's State-of-the-Art Recreation Centre, a vibrant new hub for health, fitness and sport located in the heart of the city campus.

In this role, you will lead the Performance Sport Team, supporting the coordination and development of the student-athlete High Performance Programme and our University of Auckland representative sports teams.

Leading a small, established team, you will collaborate closely with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders including academic faculty and High Performance Sport New Zealand (HPSNZ) under the 'Athlete Friendly Tertiary Network' to ensure the University of Auckland continues to develop and succeed as a home for academic and sporting excellence.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Provide leadership to Performance Sports Coordinators, contracted staff, coaches and other representatives.
• Oversee the development and implementation of strategy and systems to support holistic success for student-athletes and University teams.
• Oversee the University's participation and success in national and international competitions, including managing budgets, events, travel arrangements, staffing, and logistics.
• Lead and develop the University's High Performance Programme to adhere to HPSNZ's Athlete Friendly Tertiary Network guiding principles, including supporting and empowering student-athletes in their academic, sporting and personal growth.
• Support both the University of Auckland's strategic goals and performance sport programmes by maintaining and developing internal and external stakeholder relationships.
• Manage the operational budget for sports activities and report on Sport and Recreation strategy targets.

He kōrero mōu | About You

You'll need to bring proven experience in people management and demonstrable examples of effectively leading a small team. You will have a strong professional background in high performance sport and high performing team environments, ideally with direct experience in elite-level sporting organisations. We are seeking strong planning, leadership, and operational skills and the ability to build and maintain excellent internal and external stakeholder relationships.

E rapua ana mātou | We are Seeking

• Qualifications and First Aid: Possess a relevant higher education qualification (to better understand the student-athlete experience & academic faculty) and ideally, a current first aid certificate.
• Strategic and People Leadership: Demonstrated strategic leadership experience combined with proven skills in effectively managing and developing people, specifically a small team.
• Programme and Event Delivery: Relevant experience and knowledge in planning, delivering, and managing performance sport teams and programmes, with the practical ability to successfully deliver and manage a diverse range of sport programmes.
• Relationship Management: Proven track record in building and managing professional relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders and customers for positive outcomes, including showing a high level of cultural competency.
• Communication & Engagement Skills: Excellent communication skills, demonstrating the ability to work collaboratively to empower student-athletes, staff and stakeholders for sustainable success.

A full description of your duties and the role are provided in the position description linked HERE.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What We Offer

Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland is New Zealand's leading university. We employ more than 5,400 academic and professional staff to support over 41,000 students, making us one of NZ's largest employers.

We cultivate an environment that supports your growth and rewards excellence with a range of staff benefits, including:

• Competitive salary and five weeks of annual leave.
• Superannuation/KiwiSaver matching up to 6.75%.
• Flexible working arrangements, including working from home and adaptive hours.
• Leading and inclusive parental leave options.
• Career development programmes and discounted on-site amenities including free Hiwa Recreation Centre membership.

This is a full-time (1.0 FTE, 37.5 hours per week), permanent position. The salary range for this role is $80,000 to $90,000, which is negotiable depending on your skills and experience.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to Apply

Please submit your application online by the closing date of Sunday, 23 November 2025. Your application should include:

• A brief Cover Letter explaining why you are interested in this role and how your skills match the requirements.
• Your updated CV.

For a confidential discussion, you are welcome to contact Albertine Eaton (Sport Development Manager) at

Additional Information

Equity

The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment. For further information on services for Māori, Pacific, women, LGBTQIATakatāpuiMVPFAFF+, people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work and other personal circumstances go to