Customer Experience Manager - Canterbury

Compass Group New Zealand; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Training & Development

Formal Career Paths

Rewards & Recognition

Health & Safety Focus

Corporate & Retail Discounts

Site-Specific Benefits

Job summary

Compass Group New Zealand is seeking a Customer Experience Manager for the University of Canterbury in Christchurch. This permanent, 40-hour-per-week role focuses on delivering welcoming, resident-focused services and building an inclusive community where students feel supported and connected.

You will lead front-of-house services, drive engagement initiatives, and collaborate with UniLodge leadership and resident leaders to enhance wellbeing and belonging while upholding Nga Kono service

Qualifications

• Proven experience delivering superior customer service in residential/educational settings.
• Leadership capability with a collaborative, performance-oriented approach.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with ability to build trusted relationships.
• Good computer literacy and ability to use digital systems to support operations.

Responsibilities

• Champion a resident-first culture and create a welcoming, inclusive environment for residents and visitors.
• Lead front-of-house operations and ensure the consistent delivery of high-quality resident services.
• Develop programmes, activities and events that strengthen engagement, wellbeing and community connection.
• Manage resident enquiries, requests, complaints and service recovery with empathy and professionalism.
• Analyse feedback and service data to identify and implement improvements to the resident experience.

Skills

Customer service

Leadership

Communication

Digital literacy

Adaptability

Education

Tertiary qualification

Tools

CRM software

Job description

He Angitūtanga / The Opportunity

• Shape an exceptional residential experience for university students
• Lead a welcoming, resident-focused front-of-house service
• Build vibrant communities where students feel supported and connected

We are looking for an engaging and people-focused Customer Experience Manager to join our team at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch.

This is a permanent position working 40 hours per week. You will lead the delivery of welcoming, engaging and customer-focused services within the residential hall, helping create an inclusive community where students feel supported, valued and connected.

As a key point of connection for residents, you will lead front-of-house services, drive resident engagement initiatives and work closely with UniLodge leadership, operational teams and resident leaders. Your focus will be on enhancing resident wellbeing, belonging and success while ensuring every interaction reflects the values and service standards of the Nga Kono brand.

Ko o Kawenga / Your Responsibilities

• Champion a resident-first culture and create a welcoming, inclusive environment for residents and visitors.
• Lead front-of-house operations and ensure the consistent delivery of high-quality resident services.
• Develop programmes, activities and events that strengthen engagement, wellbeing and community connection.
• Manage resident enquiries, requests, complaints and service recovery with empathy and professionalism.
• Analyse feedback and service data to identify and implement improvements to the resident experience.

He Kōrero Mōu / About You

• Proven experience delivering superior customer service, ideally in a residential, education, hospitality or community environment.
• Leadership capability with a collaborative, accountable and people-focused management style.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the confidence to build trusted relationships.
• Good computer literacy and the ability to use digital systems to support efficient operations and communication.
• A flexible, reliable and solution-focused approach, with the ability to remain calm under pressure.
• A relevant tertiary qualification would be advantageous. The successful candidate will also be required to complete a satisfactory police check.

Nga Painga / Benefits & Perks

• Comprehensive Training & Development: Access to online learning programs, apprenticeships, and NZQA qualifications to support your career growth.
• Formal Career Paths: We offer formal career paths to help you achieve your professional goals.
• Rewards & Recognition: Celebrate your achievements with our Star Awards, Service Awards, and annual performance bonuses.
• Health & Safety Focus: A commitment to providing a safe and healthy work environment, prioritizing the well-being of employees and customers.
• Corporate & Retail Discounts: Enjoy exclusive discounts on health insurance, gym memberships, optometry services, and more.
• Site-Specific Benefits: Depending on the site, tailored perks such as free uniforms, on-site parking, subsidized accommodation, and access to amenities like gyms and pools are available.

Please visit our Benefits page for a comprehensive list of our benefits.

Mo Matou / About Us

• We are New Zealand's leading and largest food and support services provider across multiple industries.
• Our sub-brands, Eurest, Chartwells, Restaurant Associates, Medirest, ESS and Rapport manage these industry sectors.
• We specialise in turning ordinary acts of service into extraordinary experiential moments for our clients. With innovative and talented teams across New Zealand, we transform experiences from being GOOD to GREAT.
• Our people are awesome, they breathe life into our brands and make great things happen!
• Our strength comes from the combination of the things we have in common - our shared values, vision, and purpose and to make our commitment unique for you - RESPECT, GROWTH, and TEAMWORK are the founding pillars of these commitments.
• We are committed to reflecting the diversity of our customers, suppliers, and colleagues. We also prioritise sustainability in everything we do, ensuring an inclusive and equitable environment for all.

Successful candidates will be able to pass pre-employment checks satisfactorily.

Applicants for this position should have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa.