Operations and Community Lead

Kai for Kids Charitable Trust; Ashburton; On-site; NZD 28,000 - 42,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

5 weeks' annual leave

5% KiwiSaver contribution

$2,000 annual professional development

Phone, laptop and work vehicle

Job summary

Kai for Kids Charitable Trust in Ashburton, Mid-Canterbury, is seeking an energetic Operations & Community Lead for up to 30 hours per week. You will lead day-to-day operations, staff and volunteers, while forging partnerships with schools, whānau, funders and community groups.

The role focuses on diversified funding, financial governance with Xero, and transparent impact reporting, supporting our mission to nourish tamariki and strengthen whānau in the Mid-Canterbury region.

Qualifications

• Passion for food security, tamariki and community wellbeing.
• Leadership, relationship-building and communication skills.
• Experience in the community/not-for-profit sector, fundraising, grants or partnerships.
• Financial literacy and commercially minded.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and turn ideas into action.
• Confident representing an organisation publicly.
• Cultural awareness and ability to work with Māori whānau and community organisations.
• Self-directed, practical, calm under pressure and initiative.

Responsibilities

• Lead our operations, staff and volunteer team.
• Build relationships with schools, whānau, funders, sponsors and community partners.
• Develop diversified funding through grants, sponsorship, fundraising and commercial opportunities.
• Oversee financial administration, Xero, compliance and operational systems.
• Lead communications, community engagement and impact reporting.
• Represent Kai for Kids as a passionate community ambassador.
• Help drive our vision for a new kitchen and sustainable future.

Skills

Leadership

Relationship-building

Communication

Fundraising

Financial literacy

Public speaking

Cultural awareness

Initiative

Time management

Tools

Xero

Job description

Operations & Community Lead

Kai for Kids Charitable Trust | Ashburton, Mid-Canterbury

Permanent part-time | Up to 30 hours per week | Flexible for the right person

Make a difference. Lead with purpose. Shape the future.

Kai for Kids is a growing Mid-Canterbury charity committed to ensuring tamariki and whānau have access to nutritious, consistent kai.

We are looking for an energetic, capable Operations & Community Lead to lead our day-to-day operations while helping shape the organisation's next stage of growth.

Reporting to the Board, you will:

• Lead our operations, staff and volunteer team
• Build relationships with schools, whānau, funders, sponsors and community partners
• Develop diversified funding through grants, sponsorship, fundraising and commercial opportunities
• Oversee financial administration, Xero, compliance and operational systems
• Lead communications, community engagement and impact reporting
• Represent Kai for Kids as a passionate community ambassador
• Help drive our vision for a new kitchen and sustainable future

We're looking for someone who:

• Is passionate about food security, tamariki and community wellbeing
• Has strong leadership, relationship-building and communication skills
• Has experience in the community/not-for-profit sector, fundraising, grants or partnerships
• Is financially literate and commercially minded
• Can manage multiple priorities and turn ideas into action
• Is confident representing an organisation publicly
• Has cultural awareness and can work meaningfully alongside Māori whānau and community organisations
• Is self-directed, practical, calm under pressure and full of initiative

Experience in social enterprise, commercial activity, change management, food safety or government funding would be an advantage.

What we offer

• A genuine opportunity to make a difference
• Real responsibility, autonomy and influence
• A supportive, values-driven team and committed Board
• 5 weeks' annual leave
• 5% KiwiSaver contribution
• $2,000 annual professional development budget
• Phone, laptop and work vehicle provided

Interested?

If you have the skills, energy and heart to help Kai for Kids grow, we'd love to hear from you.

Please send your CV and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) explaining why this kaupapa matters to you and what you would bring to the role.

Applications close: 4 September 2026

[e-mail]

For a confidential conversation:
Kalena Hirst – 021 636 677
Jo Taylor – 027 247 7069

Kai for Kids Charitable Trust | Ashburton, Mid-Canterbury

Help us nourish tamariki, strengthen whānau and build a stronger community.