General Manager

The Big Idea; New Zealand; Remote; NZD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Northland Craft Trust is seeking a General Manager to lead Quarry Arts Centre in Whangārei. You will translate the Board's strategy into achievable plans, manage staff, volunteers and contractors, and ensure financial sustainability through planning, reporting and fundraising.

You will build strong relationships with mana whenua, local government, partners and the community, champion inclusive participation and maintain a safe, welcoming arts hub focused on ceramics and related activities.

Qualifications

• Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and mana whenua partnerships.
• Experience turning strategy into realistic plans in a small team.
• Strong people management and staff development skills.
• Financial management, budgeting, funding accountability and partnerships.
• Excellent relationship-building and communication across diverse communities.
• Understanding of arts and community development; ceramics knowledge an advantage.
• Experience overseeing operations, safety, facilities and risk; seek specialist advice when needed.
• Experience in community arts or charitable organisations and working with a governing board; ceramics/retail knowledge is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Translate board strategy into annual plans, budgets and priorities.
• Provide monthly reporting on progress, finances, risks and decisions for the Board.
• Lead budgeting, cash flow forecasting and financial controls with the Finance Committee.
• Develop and maintain funder relationships and ensure reporting compliance.
• Oversee policies, contracts, records and compliance; ensure staff training and succession planning.
• Represent Quarry with the Board, stakeholders and the community to protect reputation.
• Lead people, place and programme across the centre, schools, partners and volunteers.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Financial management

Fundraising

Communication

Arts knowledge

Strategic planning

Stakeholder relations

Job description

Arts programming, artistic direction & curatorial, Management & leadership

Established in 1982, Northland Craft Trust operates Quarry Arts Centre to support art-making and the development of artists. The Quarry brings together professional and emerging artists, learners and the wider community through studios, workshops, exhibitions, events, retail and kiln services, with particular strength in ceramics.

Purpose of the role

Lead a welcoming, well-run and financially sustainable arts centre where artists and communities can create, learn and connect. Translate the Board’s strategic direction into achievable plans, support the team to deliver them, and strengthen the Quarry’s people, place and programme.

Leadership across three focus areas – People, Place and Programme

Work with the Board on strategy and translate it into an annual plan, budget and agreed priorities. Provide clear monthly reporting on progress, finances, risks and decisions requiring Board attention.

Lead financial planning and oversight, including budgets, cash flow, forecasting and financial controls. Work with the Finance Committee on managing reserves and long-term sustainability.

Develop and maintain funder relationships and ensure applications, funding conditions and accountability reports are managed well.

Oversee effective policies, systems, contracts, records and compliance. Assign ownership, complete and document key processes, and ensure staff training and backup arrangements reduce reliance on individuals.

The GM remains accountable for organisational performance, with delivery shared across staff, contractors, volunteers and agreed Board support. Agree realistic priorities and resourcing with the Board, raise capacity constraints early, and seek specialist advice where needed. Meet regularly with the Chair or Co-Chairs for support and professional development.

People

Build a capable, supported team and trusted relationships across the Quarry community.

Lead staff recruitment, induction, performance and development. Clarify responsibilities, delegate effectively and provide regular coaching, feedback and support for wellbeing and manageable workloads.

Create a respectful, collaborative culture across staff, volunteers, tutors and contractors. Address concerns promptly and fairly, seeking appropriate HR advice when needed.

Maintain strong relationships with studio holders, artists and volunteers. Listen to their perspectives, communicate decisions clearly and support constructive participation in the life of the Quarry.

Develop partnerships with mana whenua, local government, schools, arts organisations, social service agencies, community groups and businesses. Support culturally responsive practice and give practical effect to the organisation’s commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Work in partnership with the Board as a principal representative of the Quarry, maintaining major stakeholder relationships, building community confidence and protecting its reputation through open, reliable communication.

Success looks like: People understand their roles, feel supported and work well together. Studio holders and partners have confidence in the Quarry and contribute to its success.

Place

Care for the Quarry’s buildings, grounds and facilities, and strengthen its place in Whangārei’s arts community.

Oversee safe, accessible and well-maintained studios, buildings, grounds, equipment and shared spaces. Coordinate maintenance priorities, contractors and budgets, including deferred maintenance.

Lead organisational health and safety oversight across the site, workshops, public activities and kiln operations. Ensure clear responsibilities, appropriate training, risk controls, incident records and timely reporting to the Board.

Oversee studio and site leases, venue hire arrangements and service contracts, ensuring clear terms, reliable administration and appropriate use of the site.

In partnership with the Board and specialist advisors coordinate asset management and capital development planning. Including the future of the Scallop Building and wider infrastructure..

Protect the Quarry’s distinctive character while improving how people access and use it. Support its role as a welcoming creative place and a valued part of Whangārei’s cultural life.

Success looks like: The site is safe, welcoming and cared for. Maintenance and infrastructure priorities are understood, costed and matched to available resources.

Programme

Oversee a relevant, accessible and sustainable mix of creative activity that advances the Quarry’s purpose.

Facilitate an integrated annual programme of workshops, exhibitions, events, markets, open days, kiln services and collaborative projects, aligned with strategic priorities, community needs and available capacity.

Manage The Maker’s Shop and the Wood-Fired Kilns Programme, with clear operational leadership, artist relationships, delivery standards, administrative systems and financial reporting.

Support staff, tutors, artists and partners to develop and deliver high-quality experiences. Coordinate activity across the organisation and resolve issues that affect delivery.

Oversee practical systems for bookings, programme administration, retail and point of sale, website information and reporting. Ensure processes are understood, documented and maintained.

Guide marketing and audience development so people know what the Quarry offers and feel welcome to participate. Build opportunities for learning, artist development, collaboration and the presentation and sale of work.

Review participation, feedback, costs, income and community benefit. Use this evidence to improve programmes, grow earned income and recommend which activities to develop, change or discontinue.

Success looks like: Programmes serve artists and communities, are delivered reliably and make an understood contribution to the Quarry’s purpose and financial sustainability.

Skills and experience

The General Manager will bring:

Demonstrate a commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, supporting meaningful relationships with mana whenua and ensuring Māori perspectives, participation and creative practice are recognised and reflected in the Trust’s development, programmes and activities.

Demonstrated organisational leadership, with the ability to turn strategy into realistic plans and manage competing priorities in a small team.

Strong people management and development skills, sound judgement and a collaborative approach to resolving issues.

Financial management capability and a record of successful fundraising, funding accountability and partnership development.

Excellent relationship and communication skills, with the ability to work respectfully across diverse communities and build trust.

An understanding of arts and community development, an appreciation of ceramics and artist-led practice, and a commitment to inclusive participation.

Practical experience overseeing operations, systems, health and safety, facilities and organisational risk, including knowing when to seek specialist support.

Experience in a community arts or charitable organisation, working with a governing board, ceramics, retail or capital planning would be an advantage.

Agreeing priorities and reviewing performance

The Board and GM will agree annual objectives and measures across People, Place and Programme, alongside financial and organisational performance. These will reflect available resources and be reviewed regularly. Before recruitment, the Board will confirm hours, direct reports, delegated authorities and the operational and specialist support available to the role.