Operations Manager

Auckland Maritime Foundation; Howick; On-site; NZD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive remuneration

Succession pathway to GM

Professional development

Job summary

Auckland Maritime Foundation at Half Moon Bay Marina in Auckland’s North Island seeks an experienced Operations Manager to lead marina, boatyard and infrastructure day‑to‑day performance and contribute to long‑term planning. Reporting to the General Manager, you will manage staff, drive safety, asset maintenance and customer relations—while guiding capital projects.

This senior role offers a clear career pathway toward ultimately becoming General Manager, with strong emphasis on development,

Qualifications

• Operational management experience within marina, infrastructure or asset‑intensive environments.
• Strong people leadership and team development skills.
• Experience in asset management, maintenance planning and capital projects.
• Sound understanding of boatyard ops or willingness to learn.

Responsibilities

• Lead marina, boatyard and infrastructure operations and ensure safe, efficient performance.
• Direct dockmasters, travelift operators and grounds staff; manage contractors and service providers.
• Drive Health & Safety, environmental performance and maintenance programmes.
• Oversee buildings, marine infrastructure, plant, equipment and IT systems.
• Deliver capital projects from planning through completion and manage budgets.

Skills

Operational management

People leadership

Asset management

Health & safety

Budget & performance

Communication

Strategic planning

Stakeholder management

Leadership development

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

Auckland Maritime Foundation – Half Moon Bay, North Island

A senior operational leadership role with a genuine pathway to General Manager.

Join one of New Zealand’s leading marina operations and play a key role in shaping the future of a significant Auckland waterfront asset.

About Half Moon Bay Marina

Half Moon Bay Marina is owned and operated by the Auckland Maritime Foundation and is one of New Zealand’s leading marina precincts. The marina comprises more than 580 marina berths, travelift and boatyard operations, extensive marine and commercial infrastructure, and a thriving retail and hospitality centre.

Recognised as New Zealand Marina of the Year in 2024, Half Moon Bay Marina also holds the internationally recognised Clean Marina and 5 Gold Anchor accreditations, reflecting our commitment to high standards of customer service, environmental performance and marina management.

More than an Operations Manager role – a pathway to General Manager

This is more than an opportunity to become Operations Manager at Half Moon Bay Marina. It is a rare opportunity to join the senior management team with a clear pathway towards ultimately leading one of Auckland’s premier marina operations.

With the planned retirement of current management in the coming years, we are taking a proactive approach to succession planning. We are looking for an experienced and capable Operations Manager who can make an immediate contribution to the business while developing the broader commercial, strategic and leadership experience required to be a strong future candidate for the General Manager role.

Working closely with the General Manager, you will gain broad exposure to all aspects of the business, including marina and boatyard operations, property and infrastructure, health and safety, environmental management, financial performance, capital projects, customer and tenant relationships, and longer-term strategic planning.

As your knowledge and experience within the business grows, so too will the scope of the role, with increasing involvement in the overall management, planning and direction of the marina.

For someone with strong operational experience, sound commercial judgement and the ambition and capability to lead, this represents an exceptional career opportunity – the chance to join Half Moon Bay Marina as part of a deliberate succession plan and potentially become the person who leads the marina into its next chapter.

About the Role

Reporting to the General Manager, the Operations Manager is a key member of the senior management team with responsibility for the day-to-day operational performance of the marina, boatyard and associated infrastructure.

You will lead our operational teams, including dockmasters, travelift operators and grounds staff, while overseeing security, contractors and other operational service providers. You will also take a lead role in health and safety, asset and infrastructure management, preventative maintenance, environmental performance and the delivery of capital projects.

This is a senior, hands‑on leadership role that combines strategic thinking with practical operational delivery. You will be equally comfortable developing longer-term plans, managing projects and budgets, leading people and getting out around the marina to understand and resolve day-to‑day operational issues.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, support and develop the marina’s operational teams, including dockmasters, travelift operators and grounds staff.
• Oversee the safe and efficient operation of the marina, boatyard and associated facilities.
• Take a leadership role in Health & Safety, ensuring strong systems, practices and a positive safety culture across the organisation.
• Oversee buildings, marine infrastructure, plant and equipment, operational IT systems and site security infrastructure.
• Lead asset management, lifecycle planning and preventative maintenance programmes.
• Manage and deliver infrastructure, maintenance and capital projects from planning through to completion.
• Contribute to master planning, capital expenditure programmes and the longer-term development of the marina.
• Drive environmental performance, regulatory compliance and continuous improvement across marina and boatyard operations.
• Manage key contractors, consultants and service providers, ensuring appropriate standards, performance and value.
• Build strong relationships with berth holders, tenants, contractors, regulators and other key stakeholders.
• Work closely with the General Manager on operational planning, budgets, business performance and strategic initiatives.

About You

We are looking for an experienced operational leader who combines strong practical capability with sound judgement, professionalism and the ability to see the bigger picture.

Ideally, you will bring:

• Proven operational management experience within a marina, marine, infrastructure, property, facilities or similarly asset‑intensive environment.
• Strong people leadership skills, with experience managing and developing operational teams.
• Experience in asset management, maintenance planning and capital project delivery.
• A sound understanding of boatyard operations and marine facilities, or the ability to quickly develop this knowledge.
• A strong commitment to Health & Safety, environmental performance and operational best practice.
• Commercial awareness and the ability to understand budgets, costs, priorities and business performance.
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent communication and relationship-management skills.
• The confidence to work with a wide range of people, from operational staff and contractors through to customers, tenants, consultants and governance.
• The ambition and capability to develop into a broader senior leadership role over time.

Marine industry experience would be highly regarded; however, we are equally interested in accomplished operational leaders from other asset‑intensive environments who can bring relevant experience, fresh thinking and strong leadership capability.

Why Join Half Moon Bay Marina?

This is an opportunity to take on a significant operational leadership role within one of New Zealand’s premier marina precincts, while positioning yourself for the next stage of your career.

You will enjoy:

• A broad and varied senior management role where you can make a visible difference.
• The opportunity to influence the future development of a significant Auckland waterfront asset.
• A supportive environment with a strong focus on professional development and succession planning.
• Exposure to the operational, commercial and strategic aspects of the marina business.
• A strong organisational commitment to safety, sustainability and industry‑leading practices.
• Competitive remuneration reflecting the seniority and responsibilities of the position.
• Most importantly, a genuine pathway towards the General Manager role as part of the organisation’s longer‑term succession plan.

If you are an experienced operational leader looking for more than your next job – and are ready for an opportunity that could develop into leading the organisation – we would like to hear from you.