Executive Lead, Military Style Academy Programme

New Zealand Government Joba; Palmerston North; On-site; NZD 147,000 - 163,000; Full time

Job summary

Oranga Tamariki in Palmerston North seeks a Kaiwhakahaere to lead the Military Style Academy (MSA) Programme, a leading therapeutic intervention for serious youth offenders. You will manage a 30+ kaimahi team and ensure delivery, performance, and governance of the programme.

Based at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice Residence, the role demands strategic leadership, risk management, and strong partnerships with iwi, mana whenua, agencies, and communities to support rangatahi toward

Qualifications

• Significant leadership experience within Youth Justice or a related sector working with high-risk and vulnerable young people.
• Experience leading large multidisciplinary teams within complex operational environments.
• Strong understanding of the New Zealand Youth Justice system and rehabilitation approaches for rangatahi.
• Proven experience in operational, financial, and people leadership, including workforce planning and performance management.
• Demonstrated ability to build effective partnerships with iwi, mana whenua, government agencies, and community organisations.
• Experience working within secure residential environments or similarly complex 24/7 settings.
• Strong risk management, critical thinking, and decision-making capability.
• A commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and culturally responsive leadership.
• A relevant tertiary qualification and a current full New Zealand Driver Licence.

Responsibilities

• Leading and developing a multidisciplinary workforce delivering all components of the MSA Programme.
• Providing strategic leadership and operational oversight to ensure high-quality programme delivery.
• Driving performance, continuous improvement, and excellence in practice.
• Ensuring compliance with legislative, regulatory, and organisational requirements.
• Building and maintaining strong partnerships with mana whenua, government agencies, community organisations, and service providers.
• Maintaining oversight of risk management, health and safety, security, and incident response.
• Overseeing programme resources, budgets, reporting, and governance requirements.
• Working closely with residential leadership to ensure a coordinated and effective approach to supporting rangatahi.

Skills

Leadership experience

Team leadership

NZ Youth Justice knowledge

Operations leadership

Partnerships

Secure environments

Risk management

Cultural leadership

Driver's license

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification

Job description

Oranga Tamariki in Palmerston North seeks a Kaiwhakahaere to lead the Military Style Academy (MSA) Programme, a leading therapeutic intervention for serious youth offenders. You will manage a 30+ kaimahi team and ensure delivery, performance, and governance of the programme.

Based at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice Residence, the role demands strategic leadership, risk management, and strong partnerships with iwi, mana whenua, agencies, and communities to support rangatahi toward