General Manager - Destination

Venture Taranaki Trust; New Plymouth; On-site; NZD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional development agency is seeking a visionary General Manager – Destination in New Plymouth. The role involves leading the Taranaki Convention Bureau, strategic oversight of the region's visitor economy, and advocacy. The ideal candidate will have senior leadership experience in related sectors and a passion for Taranaki's future. This position offers a collaborative work environment with a focus on community engagement and influence.

Benefits

Positive work-life balance

Flexible working

Investment in growth and development

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in visitor economy or related sectors.
• Strong strategic thinking and advocacy skills.
• Cultural competency and confidence in partnering with iwi and Māori organizations.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction to grow visitor economy.
• Lead key regional strategies for positive outcomes.
• Build strong partnerships with iwi, industry, and communities.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Advocacy skills

Cultural competency

Collaborative leadership

Team building

Job description

Overview

Te Puna Umanga Venture Taranaki is the regional development agency for Taranaki. We champion innovation, enterprise growth, investment, regional promotion, and events, to build a resilient economy that supports the well-being of people and environment. Guided by Tapuae Roa, we’re committed to creating a future-focused, low-emissions regional economy.

We are seeking a visionary and collaborative General Manager – Destination to lead our destination portfolio and sector partnerships, with responsibility and oversight for the Taranaki Convention Bureau, Taranaki Film Office, facilitation of the New Plymouth major Events Fund, and the Venture Taranaki Communications and Marketing function. As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will provide strategic leadership and advocacy to strengthen and future-proof Taranaki’s visitor economy. You’ll bring together iwi, industry, government, and community stakeholders to deliver a coordinated approach that maximises benefits for people and place, while supporting the diversification of the wider Taranaki economy.

As the regional development agency for Taranaki, Te Puna Umanga Venture Taranaki works to build a thriving economy that supports the growth and prosperity of the region’s people and environment, alongside our economy. We support local entrepreneurship and enterprises to grow, promote our region and attract visitation, talent, and investment, and help to develop and establish our sectors. We achieve this through sectoral support initiatives, business growth services, regional promotions, and strategic projects and planning, working across the organisation and with our partners and stakeholders to deliver on our regional strategy and vision Tapuae Roa. Based in Ngāmotu New Plymouth, our team of around 28 people work with stakeholders across a wide range of industries and sectors, local and national government, community groups, iwi, and individual enterprises. We offer a modern, open working environment, positive work-life balance and flexible working, and investment in growth and development. We are also committed to becoming a Te Tiriti-led organisation, and the GM Destination will contribute to this vision and their own development as tangata tiriti.

Responsibilities and expectations:

• Provide strategic direction to grow a high-value, resilient visitor economy.
• Lead and deliver key regional strategies, and deliver impact and outcomes across regionally significant initiatives.
• Advocate for Taranaki’s interests with central government, local councils, and our shareholder.
• Build strong partnerships with iwi, industry, and communities to unlock opportunities and create shared outcomes.
• Contribute as a trusted member of the Senior Leadership Team, influencing organisation-wide direction and impact.

Qualifications and attributes:

• Senior leadership experience in the visitor economy, events, or related sectors.
• Strong strategic thinking and advocacy skills, with credibility at the highest levels.
• Cultural competency and the confidence to partner meaningfully with iwi and Māori organisations.
• The ability to interpret insights, connect the dots, and translate complexity into clear strategy.
• A collaborative and empowering leadership style, with a track record of building high-performing teams.
• A deep connection to Taranaki, or a genuine passion for contributing to the region’s future, will be a strong advantage.

If you are excited about contributing to the success of Venture Taranaki and possess the skills and passion for this role, we want to hear from you.

Application: Please Apply to submit an application, including your CV and a cover letter. To view the position description, please visit https://www.taranaki.co.nz/assets/Uploads/Position-Description-GM-Destination-2025.pdf