Academic Operations Team Leader

University of Auckland; Auckland; On-site; NZD 73,000 - 91,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible employment practices

Career development programmes

Five weeks’ annual leave

6.75% superannuation scheme

Job summary

The University of Auckland is looking for an Academic Operations Team Leader within the Faculty of Law. You will provide day-to-day leadership and practical operational support to deliver high-quality academic and administrative services across multiple schools.

You will manage a team of 26 with four direct reports, set expectations, coach staff, coordinate workload and ensure service continuity during busy periods and change. A collaborative, people-centred approach is essential.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading and developing teams in a tertiary or educational environment.
• Experience in academic operations, administration, or service delivery.
• Ability to build relationships, influence outcomes and act as escalation point.

Responsibilities

• Provide confident, empathetic and visible people leadership, setting clear expectations while coaching, motivating and supporting staff to perform at their best.
• Take a hands-on approach to operational delivery, stepping in to support work, resolve issues and maintain service continuity when priorities shift or demand increases.
• Plan, prioritise and coordinate work effectively, using sound judgement to balance competing demands, allocate resources and meet agreed service expectations.
• Lead and contribute to continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to simplify processes, improve consistency and support positive change across the team.

Skills

People leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Operational planning

Team coaching

Education

Bachelor's degree

Postgraduate qualification desirable

Job description

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University of Auckland – Auckland, North Island

Waipapa Taumata Rau| The University of Auckland

The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s leading University. With over 6000 academic and professional staff supporting over 46,000 students, we are one of NZ’s largest employers. We have six academic faculties, two large-scale research institutes and a number of professional service divisions creating a diverse, dynamic and complex organisational culture that demands excellence.

Our lecturers and researchers are regarded as experts in their fields, frequently directing global research projects designed to better the lives of New Zealanders and the world, and in turn passing this knowledge on to our students.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a capable, collaborative and people-centred leader to join the Faculty of Law as Academic Operations Team Leader. Working closely with the Academic Operations Manager, this role will provide both visible day-to-day leadership and practical operational support to ensure the Business and Law Group Services team delivers high-quality, responsive and consistent academic and administrative services.

This is a hands-on leadership role within a team of 26 staff, with direct responsibility for four team members: one Group Services Administrator, two Academic Administration Coordinators and one Group Services Coordinator. The successful candidate will set clear expectations, support performance, coach and develop staff, coordinate workload, resolve operational issues and step in where needed to maintain service continuity during business-as-usual activity, periods of increased demand and times of change.

The Academic Operations Team Leader will play an important role in strengthening Academic Operations / Group Services capability across the Faculty. The role requires someone who can lead through influence as well as action: supporting change, embedding improved ways of working, contributing to new initiatives and ensuring practical, consistent approaches are translated into effective service delivery for schools across both faculties, including teaching and learning, research administration and operational activity.

We are seeking someone who brings sound administrative or coordination experience, strong judgement and a genuine commitment to people leadership, service excellence and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate will be approachable, resilient and solutions-focused, with the ability to balance strategic awareness with practical delivery. They will be confident leading people, managing competing priorities, building trust with stakeholders and working alongside the team to support high-quality outcomes.

• Provide confident, empathetic and visible people leadership, setting clear expectations while coaching, motivating and supporting staff to perform at their best.
• Take a hands-on approach to operational delivery, stepping in to support work, resolve issues and maintain service continuity when priorities shift or demand increases.
• Plan, prioritise and coordinate work effectively, using sound judgement to balance competing demands, allocate resources and meet agreed service expectations.
• Build trusted and constructive relationships with staff, students and schools, bringing a professional, customer-focused and solution-oriented approach to service delivery.
• Lead and contribute to continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to simplify processes, improve consistency and support positive change across the team.

This is a fulltime, permanent position.

The salary range for this role is $73,400 – $90,700 depending on skills and experience .

For more detailed information, please refer to the position description

You are a proactive and collaborative leader with experience in tertiary operations or academic administration. You thrive in a dynamic environment, guiding teams to deliver efficient, consistent, and student- and staff-centred administrative services, and are confident in managing complex operational challenges while supporting strategic priorities.

You will bring

• A Bachelor’s degree (postgraduate qualification desirable).
• Proven experience leading and developing teams in a tertiary or educational environment.
• Demonstrated experience in academic operations, administration, or service delivery, with an understanding of key functional areas such as finance, recruitment, curriculum management, or teaching & learning administration.
• Ability to build strong relationships, influence outcomes, and act as a point of escalation for complex operational challenges.
• Strong problem-solving and organisational skills, with experience contributing to operational planning and continuous improvement initiatives.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What we offer

• Flexible employment practices and a culture that supports work-life balance
• Career development programmes
• A competitive salary with five weeks’ annual leave
• 6.75% superannuation scheme

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, LGBTQIATakatāpu iMVPFAFF+ , people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work and other personal circumstances go to www.equity.auckland.ac.nz