Faculty Operations Manager

Permanent, Full Time

• Lead operations for a busy, hands-on faculty
• Be part of a collaborative leadership team
• Based at Woolston campus

Mō Tēnei Tūranga Mahi – About the Role

As a Faculty Operations Manager, you will be part of the faculty leadership team and play a key role in how the faculty operates day-to-day. Working alongside the Dean and Portfolio Managers you will make sure operations are organised, consistent and work the way they should.

We have six Faculty Operations Managers across three faculties and portfolios may shift over time as priorities change. This role will initially support the Faculty of Applied Technology and be based at our Woolston campus where a large part of our trades training happens, with occasional travel to the Timaru Campus.

As a strong people leader, you’ll lead non-academic teams across multiple sites within the faculty and stay close to how things are running day-to-day. You’ll make sure our processes work in a busy teaching environment, keeping a clear view of resourcing, workflows and priorities. You’ll also work closely with Facilities Management and our Digital (ICT) teams to make sure the faculty is set up to support delivery.

Ngā Pūkenga Me Ngā Wheako – Skills and Experience

We’re looking for someone who has experience managing operations and leading teams to deliver in a complex environment. You’ll be able to balance the bigger picture with the day-to-day detail. You’re organised, practical, and solutions focused.

Ideally, you will also bring:

• A tertiary qualification at Degree level in a relevant discipline or equivalent knowledge gained through experience
• Understanding of the vocational education context, compliance and regulations
• Confidence working with budgets, planning, and resource allocation
• The ability to build strong working relationships across different teams and stakeholders
• A good grasp of systems, processes, and how to improve them over time
• An understanding of health and safety and how it applies in practice
• Digital confidence and the ability to pick up new systems quickly

While an understanding of trades in vocational education would be helpful, it’s not essential. What matters most is your ability to lead, organise, and bring people with you.

Just as importantly, you’ll be open, collaborative and willing to challenge how things are done when there’s a better way. You’ll bring a commitment to equity and to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and an interest in supporting education that makes a difference.

Mō Mātou – About us

Ara Institute of Canterbury is the South Island's largest provider of tertiary vocational education and home to one of New Zealand's premier trades training environments.

At Woolston campus, you'll work alongside modern, industry-standard workshops built for carpentry, plumbing, electrical, painting and more.

Our tutors bring deep industry experience, and students work on real projects, including constructing houses that are sold and moved.

We offer tangible benefits: income protection for permanent kaimahi over 15 hours, fee discounts on Ara courses for staff, professional development leave and funding, generous leave provisions and an annual Christmas closedown to enjoy time with whanau and friends. Free parking and on-site food options round out the picture.

Guided by our values Hono \| Connect, Hihiri \| Inspire and Aroha \| Respect, we're committed to equity, inclusion and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

If you're looking for work that matters, Ara could be your next chapter.

Tono Ināianei - Apply now

We accept applications via our online application system. For any other queries, please email [email protected].

Rā Katinga - Applications close – 11:55pm, Sunday 5 July 2026

Job Details

Reference # 23857

Posted on 19 Jun 2026

Closes on 05 Jul 2026 23:55

Location(s) Woolston

Expertise Academic, Business / Corporate , Business Support / Administration, Project Management, Facilities Management

Job level(s) Management

Work type(s) Permanent full-time