Business Support Manager

New Zealand Defence Force; Wellington; On-site; NZD 94,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully funded life cover up to $300,000

Critical illness protection

Discounted additional insurances

Free will services

Savings schemes for Defence community

Job summary

New Zealand Defence Force - Wellington Central, North Island. The Business Support Manager leads a team of five, delivering financial, administrative and operational support across the DEI unit, driving improvements and efficient processes.

You will oversee budgets, stakeholder relations, and a proactive safety-focused culture in Defence House. Strong leadership and communication are essential for success in this fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership, team management, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strong budget management, planning, and organisational capabilities.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and relationship-building abilities.
• Experience driving process improvements, managing competing priorities, and exercising sound judgement in a dynamic environment.
• NCEA Level 3 or equivalent experience.
• No candidate is expected to meet every desired skill / experience listed; apply if you can contribute.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day leadership and coaching to the Business Support Team delivering high-quality DEI services.
• Coordinate administrative and business support functions for diverse stakeholders.
• Oversee budget management, financial processes, and reporting for decisions.
• Lead business improvement initiatives to boost efficiency and service delivery.
• Support health, safety and wellbeing while maintaining a positive team culture.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Stakeholder engagement

Process improvement

Team coaching

Education

NCEA Level 3 or equivalent experience

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

New Zealand Defence Force - Wellington Central, North Island

As the Business Support Manager, you will play a pivotal role in enabling the success of the Defence Estate and Infrastructure (DEI) Business Unit. Leading a team of five business support professionals, you will oversee the delivery of high-quality financial, administrative, and operational support services across DEI. This is a varied and influential leadership role where you will drive continuous improvement initiatives, manage budgets and business processes, and help foster a safe, productive, and customer-focused working environment within Defence House.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing day-to-day leadership and coaching to the Business Support Team, ensuring the delivery of responsive and high-quality support services across DEI.
• Managing and coordinating administrative and business support functions to meet the needs of diverse stakeholders.
• Overseeing budget management, financial processes, and reporting to support informed decision-making.
• Leading business improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and service delivery.
• Supporting workplace health, safety, and wellbeing initiatives while maintaining a positive and collaborative team culture.

The salary for this role begins at $104,214 and has a midpoint of $115,131 inclusive of a 4% superannuation contribution. Appointments within this range are based on skills and experience.

We're looking for a capable and proactive leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys enabling others to succeed. You'll bring a blend of people leadership, business acumen, and a continuous improvement mindset, along with the ability to build strong relationships across a diverse stakeholder group.

• Proven leadership, team management, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strong budget management, planning, and organisational capabilities.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and relationship-building abilities.
• Experience driving process improvements, managing competing priorities, and exercising sound judgement in a dynamic environment
• NCEA Level 3 or equivalent experience
• No candidate is expected to meet every desired skill / experience listed. If your background differs from what we’ve outlined but you believe you can contribute to the role, we encourage you to apply.

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you

Safeguard your loved ones with a fully funded life cover of up to $300,000 and critical illness protection. Other benefits include discounted additional insurances, free will services and savings schemes for the Defence community. Get expert financial guidance and mortgage broker services. Find all our benefits and more on the Force 4 Families website.

NZDF champions diversity and inclusivity, valuing every member and fuelling their success. We embrace uniqueness, understanding that diverse teams drive creativity, innovation, and excellence. With an open door to all - irrespective of gender, ethnicity, ability, age, or family dynamics - NZDF offers a flexible, empowering work environment. Join us in shaping a brighter future, where everyone thrives.

Applications close on Thursday 10 September 2026.

To be eligible for the required level of government security clearance with the NZ Defence Force, you need to meet certain citizenship and residency criteria. Here’s what you need to know:

Higher Level Security Clearance

You must be a New Zealand citizen or you must hold New Zealand Permanent Residence or have a current New Zealand Residency Class Visa.

At minimum, you must hold New Zealand Permanent Residence or have a current New Zealand Residency Class Visa, and you must be a citizen of and have lived in Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, United States of America or New Zealand continuously for the last ten (10) years.

You must have a ten (10) year background history that can be verified and assessed appropriately by the NZ Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) to determine if you are suitable for a security clearance at this level.

If you do not meet the minimum criteria, unfortunately, your application will not be accepted. We do welcome your application at a time when you will meet the requirements.