Administration Manager

Waipara Adventure Centre; Canterbury; On-site; NZD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Waipara Adventure Centre in rural North Canterbury is seeking an organised Administration Manager to keep operations running smoothly. This hands-on role blends booking coordination, financial administration, payroll, and guest communications within a close-knit team.

You will support schools and groups, manage records, and uphold privacy, safeguarding and health-and-safety responsibilities, all while aligning with the centre's Christian values of service and welcome.

Qualifications

• Experience in administration, booking coordination and financial administration.
• Accounts payable, accounts receivable and reconciliation skills.
• New Zealand payroll experience or ability to train.
• Confidence using Microsoft 365 and learning new systems.
• Clear, warm and professional written and verbal communication.
• Confidentiality and judgement in handling sensitive information.
• Ability to prioritise and manage busy periods.
• Collaborative, practical approach in a small team.
• Experience with Venue360 or a comparable booking system.
• Experience with Xero or a comparable accounting system.
• Experience in school, camp, accommodation, events or outdoor-recreation is helpful; relevant experience considered.

Responsibilities

• Manage booking enquiries, confirmations, records and calendars.
• Coordinate programmes and requirements with schools and groups.
• Handle accounts payable, invoicing, receivables and reconciliations.
• Process fortnightly payroll and maintain payroll/leave records.
• Welcome guests and provide helpful information.
• Maintain confidential administrative and employment records.
• Support privacy, safeguarding and health-and-safety responsibilities.
• Work within WAC's Christian context and values.

Skills

Administration

Booking coordination

Financial administration

Payroll NZ

Microsoft 365

Communication

Confidentiality

Prioritisation

Team collaboration

Education

Relevant qualification desirable

Tools

Venue360

Xero

Job description

Waipara Adventure Centre (WAC) is a Christian charitable organisation providing school and youth camps, accommodation, outdoor education, adventure activities, and group-development experiences in rural North Canterbury.

We are looking for an organised, capable and people-focused Administration Manager to help keep WAC running smoothly. This is a varied, hands-on role within a small team, combining booking coordination, financial administration, payroll, office systems and communication with guests and group organisers.

About the role

Reporting to the General Manager, you will:

• Manage booking enquiries, confirmations, records and calendars.

• Work with schools and other groups to coordinate their programmes and requirements.

• Manage accounts payable, invoicing, receivables and reconciliations.

• Process fortnightly payroll and maintain accurate payroll and leave records.

• Welcome guests and provide helpful, timely information.

• Maintain reliable, confidential administrative and employment records.

• Help WAC meet its privacy, safeguarding and health-and-safety responsibilities.

• Work respectfully within WAC's Christian organisational context and support its values of service, care, integrity, stewardship and welcome.

About you

You will bring:

• Experience in administration, booking coordination and financial administration.

• Accounts payable, accounts receivable and reconciliation skills.

• New Zealand payroll experience, or the ability to complete suitable training.

• Confidence using Microsoft 365 and learning new systems.

• Clear, warm and professional written and verbal communication.

• Sound judgement about confidentiality, authority and when to escape an issue.

• The ability to manage competing priorities and maintain accuracy during busy periods.

• A collaborative, respectful and practical approach to working in a small team.

• Experience with Venue360 or a comparable booking system

• Experience with Xero or a comparable accounting system

• Experience in a school, camp, accommodation, events or outdoor-recreation environment would be helpful. A relevant qualification is desirable, but we will consider equivalent practical experience.

Personal adherence to the Christian faith, church membership, and participation in worship are not requirements of this position.

Why work at WAC?

WAC is a back-to-basics camp where people matter. Our programmes use challenge, adventure and shared experiences to build confidence, teamwork, communication and personal growth. This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to an organisation serving schools, young people, families, churches and community groups.

You will join a team that values personal interaction, practical service, staff development and responsible stewardship.

Employment details

• Location: Waipara Adventure Centre, rural North Canterbury

• Employment type: permanent and full-time

• Hours: 30-40

• We can discuss reasonable workplace adjustments during the recruitment process.