Human Resources Manager

Venues Ōtautahi; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Venues Ōtautahi is seeking a People and Culture Manager to lead HR strategy and operations across employment and industrial relations, workforce initiatives, and governance. You will partner with the GM and leaders to deliver trusted advice, practical solutions, and a high-performing culture within a dynamic events environment.

You will bring senior HR experience, NZ employment knowledge, and a collaborative, values-led approach to shaping an inclusive workplace during a period of growth for

Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualifications or equivalent senior HR leadership experience.
• Strong employee and industrial relations capability, including collective bargaining.
• Sound knowledge of NZ employment legislation and compliant HR practices.
• Excellent judgement, discretion and ability to advise in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Champion people and culture initiatives that support workforce needs.
• Partner with leaders to provide practical guidance on employment relations and workforce planning.
• Ensure HR practices are compliant with legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Coach leaders to build capability and consistency in managing teams.
• Shape fair remuneration and job evaluation frameworks that enable growth.
• Lead engagement and wellbeing initiatives to improve retention and experience.

Skills

Employee relations

Industrial relations

HR policy knowledge

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Change management

Organizational design

Education

Tertiary qualifications in HR

Job description

About Us

Venues Ōtautahi owns and manages some of Christchurch's most recognised destinations, including Christchurch Town Hall, Wolfbrook Arena, Hagley Oval, the Air Force Museum of New Zealand and One New Zealand Stadium.

With more than 500 events each year, our venues are where communities come together to celebrate sport, entertainment, culture and business. Everything we do contributes to the social, cultural and economic success of Christchurch and the wider Canterbury region.

Our values are simple: aspiration, agility and kindness. We take pride in delivering exceptional experiences while caring for these community assets on behalf of the people of Christchurch.

About The Role

As our People and Culture Manager, you'll play a key role in influencing and strengthening a positive, inclusive and values-led workplace where people feel supported, connected, and enabled to do their best work.

You’ll lead strategic and operational people practices across employment advice, employee and industrial relations, workforce initiatives, organisational change and HR governance.

Working closely with the General Manager, People and leaders across Venues Ōtautahi, you'll provide trusted HR leadership, practical people solutions, and expert advice that help drive a high-performing and collaborative organisation through an exciting period of growth and opportunity.

What You’ll Do

• Champion people and culture-focused initiatives that strengthen organisational priorities, support workforce needs and create a positive employee experience.
• Partner with leaders to deliver practical, solutions-focused guidance on employment relations, industrial relations, organisational change, and workforce planning.
• Keep our people practices fresh, contemporary, and compliant by bringing insights from employment legislation, regulatory requirements, and emerging HR trends.
• Coach and empower leaders to build confidence, capability, and consistency in leading their teams well.
• Shape fair, equitable, and market-aligned remuneration and job evaluation frameworks that support transparency, growth, and great people decisions.
• Create and lead positive initiatives that lift engagement, wellbeing, retention, and the overall employee experience.

About You

You are an experienced People and Culture professional who enjoys working as part of a greater team and is energised by the pace, variety and impact of the events industry.

Your Expertise

• You will bring relevant tertiary qualifications in human resources, employment relations, business or a related field, or equivalent senior experience in a people leadership role.
• Strong employee relations and industrial relations capability, including experience with collective bargaining and working constructively with unions, employee representatives, and external advisors.
• Sound knowledge of New Zealand employment legislation, HR policies, employment agreements, and compliant people practices
• High levels of judgment, integrity and discretion when dealing with sensitive people matters
• Confidence and experience providing trusted advice in a fast-paced operational environment
• Strong relationship-building skills and the confidence to engage with people at all levels.
• Outstanding planning, prioritisation and project-management skills
• Understanding of organisational design, change management and succession planning

Why Join Us?

Join a friendly, energetic People Team and help shape the employee experience behind some of Christchurch's most iconic venues and events. If you're passionate about people, culture, and creating great workplaces, we'd love to hear from you.

Applications close: 27 September 2026