Deputy Faculty Manager

University of Canterbury; Christchurch; Hybrid; NZD 60,000 - 76,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

5 weeks annual leave

5 university holidays

Superannuation contribution up to 6.75

Flexible working arrangements

Staff discounts and campus facilities

Job summary

University of Canterbury in Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand invites an experienced operational leader to join as Deputy Faculty Manager (Science). The role partners with the Faculty Manager to deliver leadership across operational activities, strategic initiatives and programmes, ensuring excellence in teaching and research delivery.

The successful candidate will guide planning, reporting and financial processes, drive improvements, and foster a human-centred culture across the

Qualifications

• Ten or more years of operational management experience in a large or complex organisation.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership across faculty operational activities including digital services, space use, facilities requests and service delivery partnerships.
• Advise faculty leaders on annual planning, reporting and data-informed decisions.
• Develop and deliver operational insights and performance reporting to guide priorities.
• Oversee faculty office budgeting, grant funding and financial decision support.
• Lead strategic projects and change initiatives within the faculty.
• Build collaborations across the faculty and wider University with a service-focused culture.
• Support staff development and foster growth and capability across the team.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

People leadership

Listening skills

Change management

Data-informed decision making

Financial acumen

Strategic partnership

Education

Postgraduate study in project/change management

Tools

Budgeting tools

Job description

Located in Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa | New Zealand

• 18.75 hours per week
• Generous employer contribution to superannuation (up to 6.75%)

Āu Mahi | What You Will Do

The Deputy Faculty Manager (Science) is a key leadership role within the Faculty of Science, partnering with the Faculty Manager and Faculty Leadership Team to support the effective delivery of faculty operations, strategic initiatives, and organisational priorities. The role provides high-level operational leadership, business support, and project management, helping ensure the Faculty can successfully achieve its teaching and research objectives.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing leadership and oversight across a range of faculty operational activities, including digital services, space utilisation, facilities management works requests, and other service delivery partnerships.
• Acting as a trusted advisor to Faculty leaders, supporting annual planning processes, reporting, and data-informed decision making.
• Developing and delivering meaningful operational insights and performance reporting to inform Faculty priorities and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Managing key financial processes, including Faculty Office budget planning and monitoring, oversight of specific grant funding, and supporting sound financial decision making.
• Leading and coordinating strategic projects and change initiatives, including supporting major organisational programmes, operational reviews, and business improvement activities.
• Building collaborative relationships across the Faculty and wider University, fostering a positive, inclusive, and service-focused culture aligned with University values.
• Leading with a people-centred approach, fostering an environment where staff feel listened to, respected and valued as individuals, while recognising the breadth of experience and institutional knowledge they bring to the Faculty.
• Supporting and developing staff by encouraging them to embrace new challenges, expand their skills and contribute their knowledge in ways that strengthen both individual growth and Faculty capability.

This role is ideal for an experienced operational leader who enjoys working across multiple portfolios, driving improvement, supporting organisational change, and partnering with academic and professional leaders to deliver high-quality outcomes.

You are an experienced operational leader who brings sound judgement, commercial awareness and a practical approach to delivery and experience in building confidence and momentum in a complex organisation. You are a thoughtful and approachable leader who values genuine relationships, takes time to listen, and seeks to understand the whole person behind the role. You lead with a human-centred approach, value the contributions and experiences of others, and create an environment where people feel heard, supported and encouraged to grow.

You will be able to demonstrate:

• significant experience, at least 10 years, in operational management within a large or complex organisation
• proven people leadership, coaching and team-development capability
• excellent listening skills, with the ability to create conversations where people feel heard, respected and able to contribute openly
• humanistic leadership styles that places people at the centre of decision making and relationship building
• experience providing credible advice to senior leaders and working across diverse professional disciplines
• demonstrated project leadership and change-management experience, including delivery of complex initiatives
• strong financial capability, including budgeting, forecasting, reporting and variance management
• the ability to interpret complex information and present clear, useful insights and recommendations
• sound judgement, resilience and the ability to remain calm and effective when priorities competethe ability to take a collaborative approach to leadership that promotes the sharing and exchange of knowledge, skills and expertise for the benefit of individuals, teams and the wider Faculty
• an alignment with our organisation's values and culture, promoting a positive and inclusive work environment.

Experience in tertiary education, science, research or another knowledge-intensive environment would be an advantage. Postgraduate study and certification in project or change management are also desirable.

Mahi Ngātahi | Who You Will Work With

Te Kaupeka Pūtaiao | Faculty of Science offers a wide range of internationally-recognised science qualifications - some unique in Australasia. Its extensive facilities include the most field stations of any New Zealand university, and state of the art laboratory spaces.

The Faculty consists for four Schools (Te Kura Mahi ā-Hirikapo | School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing, Te Kura Pūtaiao Koiora | School of Biological Sciences, Te Kura Aronukurangi | School of Earth and Environment and Te Kura Matū | School of Physical and Chemical Sciences) and a Faculty Office. The Faculty teaches over 3,000 full time equivalent students with 380 full time equivalent staff.

Ngā Painga o UC | Why UC

At UC, being part of our team means more than just a job. We are committed to supporting our kaimahi | staff’s career and wellbeing with benefits designed to help our kaimahi grow and feel connected, supported and valued.

• 5 weeks annual leave +5 days university holidays
• generous employer contribution to superannuation (up to 6.75%)
• flexible working arrangements
• supportive working environment
• a wide range of retail discounts across shopping, entertainment and travel
• living in revitalised Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand
• a unique working environment in a beautiful campus with access to UC facilities such as UC RecCentre and Staff Club at discounted rates plus onsite cafés and eateries, and more.

The closing date for this position is: 13 September 2026 (midnight, NZ time)

Please note, applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may take place before the close date.

Applications for this position must be submitted via our careers website and should include a cover letter and resume.

Please note, we do not accept applications by email, however we are happy to answer your queries in relation to the application process, please forward these to [e-mail]

You must have Aotearoa New Zealand or Australian citizenship/permanent residency to be considered for this role.

Please note, this is an onsite position.