Chief Operating Officer

Ngati Awa Social Health Services; Whakatāne; On-site; NZD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Staff benefits

Job summary

Te Tohu o Te Ora o Ngāti Awa invites a strategic Chief Operations Officer to lead the operational delivery of health, social and housing services. You’ll partner with the CEO and Executive Leadership Team to translate strategy into sustainable, high‑quality operations that meet quality, contractual and legislative standards.

In this full‑time role, you’ll oversee Service Delivery and Corporate Services, strengthen culture, build workforce capability, and enable kaimahi to deliver mana‑enhancing

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in health or social services.
• Strong operational and financial management skills.
• Ability to translate strategy into effective operations.
• Culturally competent leadership in kaupapa Māori and mainstream environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the operational delivery of health, social and housing services.
• Oversee Service Delivery and Corporate Services to ensure quality and compliance.
• Drive performance management, continuous improvement and workforce capability.
• Strengthen organisational culture to enable mana‑enhancing outcomes.

Skills

People leadership

Budgeting

Financial planning

Innovation

Data-driven decisions

Project management

Communication

Regulatory knowledge

Tertiary qualification

Education

Business/Commercial management degree

Job description

Over the years, Te Tohu o Te Ora o Ngāti Awa (previously known as Ngāti Awa Social & Health Services) has evolved into a leading iwi provider of health, social, and employment services, and more recently, Kāinga Māori development services. Our vision, “Mai i te korenga ki te ao márama, mai i te ao márama ki te mana motuhake: from poverty to wellbeing, from wellbeing to independence” guides everything we do.

We’re currently experiencing rapid growth, creating new opportunities for people who want to make a difference in our community.

Mā whero, mā pango – The Mahi Ahead

The Chief Operations Officer (COO) will lead our strategic and operational delivery of services ensuring our services are high‑quality, safe, and grounded in Te Pou Mataaho, our model of practice. Working closely with the Chief Executive and Executive Leadership Team, the COO will turn strategy into sustainable, effective operations.

In this full‑time, permanent role you’ll oversee the Service Delivery and Corporate Services, ensuring our organisation meets all quality, contractual, and legislative requirements. You’ll drive operational excellence through strong systems, performance management, and continuous improvement, ensuring we are prepared to implement new services and initiatives.

Through values‑based leadership, you’ll strengthen organisational culture, build workforce capability, and enable kaimahi to deliver mana‑enhancing, outcome‑focused support to whānu. This role ensures our operations are efficient, safe, and scalable supporting our long‑term aspirations for positive social, health, and housing outcomes for iwi and community.

He kai kei aku ringa – Your Strengths and Capability

You are a highly capable and strategic COO with senior leadership experience, strong operational expertise, and a proven track record in the health or social services sector. You lead with clarity, confidence, and cultural competence, driving organisational performance and high‑quality outcomes for whānu.

Key capabilities we’re looking for:

• Demonstrated people leadership, including developing, coaching, and aligning staff across both kaupapa Māori and mainstream environments.
• Strong business acumen with experience in budgeting and financial planning.
• Innovation‑led approach to improving systems and processes.
• Applies evidence‑based decision making to turn data into practical operational action.
• Proven project management capability with reliable delivery against deadlines.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and build trust.
• Strong knowledge of sector regulations, compliance requirements, and service delivery standards.
• Relevant tertiary qualification in business or commercial management.

Join us in Whakatāne, a coastal town with all the essentials including rivers, beaches and native landscapes. You’ll be part of a workforce immersed in Te Ao Māori, with pathways to expand your skills and knowledge through our Te Pou Mataaho wānanga and other professional development initiatives. We offer a competitive salary reflective of your experience, along with a range of staff benefits subject to eligibility. Explore the opportunities we have available and grow your career with us.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in Aotearoa.

Applications close 15 September 2026.