Operations Manager, Security Services

New Zealand Defence Force; Devonport-Takapuna; On-site; NZD 77,000 - 94,000; Full time

Job summary

New Zealand Defence Force – Devonport, North Island is seeking a Site Supervisor, Security Guard Force to lead the security operation at Devonport Naval Base, guiding four team leaders and a 24/7 security roster.

You’ll lift performance, build a strong culture, drive change with new standards and assurance testing, own what happens at your site, and be the security voice in meetings with Navy and NZDF staff.

Qualifications

• Real leadership of a team, around 20 or more people, or a smaller team through something difficult.
• A track record of developing people with tangible examples.
• Experience leading through change, including resistance.
• Judgement to make calls under pressure and explain them afterwards.
• A full Class 1 New Zealand driver licence.
• A reasonable level of physical fitness for long distances and emergencies.

Responsibilities

• Lead the security operation at Devonport Naval Base and manage the roster 24/7.
• Develop, review and back four team leaders, providing coaching and feedback.
• Build a strong culture with a team of 20+ to maintain high standards.
• Drive change with new frameworks, standards, and assurance testing.
• Own what happens at your site: reporting, outcomes and follow-up actions.
• Be the security voice in meetings with Navy and NZDF staff at all levels.

Skills

Leadership

People development

Change management

Decision making under pressure

Physical fitness

Driver licence

Education

Class 1 driver licence

First Aid certificate

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.

New Zealand Defence Force – Devonport, North Island

You’ll lead the security operation at Devonport Naval Base, and you’ll do it in the middle of the biggest change the Security Guard Force has been through in years.

Leading four team leaders. Developing them, reviewing them, backing them, and having the hard conversation when it’s needed.

Building the culture. Twenty-four people who know their job. Your task is to lift how they do it, and to make the standard hold when nobody’s watching.

Taking them through change. New framework, new standards, new assurance testing. Some of it will land well and some of it won’t. Leading that is most of this role.

Running the operation. A 24/7 roster, leave, sickness, short notice, kept covered without burning your people out.

Owning what happens at your site. What occurred, what was done, what gets reported, and what changes as a result.

Being the security voice in the room with Navy and NZDF staff at every level, including when the answer they want isn’t the answer they get.

You can work around the traffic, school hours – flexible start and ends times to suit.

About The team

We can’t say enough about our security guards or the contribution they make. They’re permanent NZDF staff, not contractors, and many have been here a long time. You’ll inherit real institutional knowledge and a team that’s used to doing things a certain way.That’s the opportunity and the challenge in one sentence.

Coming from outside security? If you’ve run a 24/7 operation somewhere else, logistics, facilities, aviation, healthcare, corrections, and you can lead people, we want to hear from you.

The salary for this role sits around $85,000 inclusive of a 4% superannuation contribution. Appointments within this range are based on skills and experience.

Please Note: The formal title for this role within NZDF is Site Supervisor, Security Guard Force.

You must have:

Real leadership of a team, around 20 or more people, or a smaller team through something difficult.

A track record of developing people. Not attending courses about it. Actually doing it, with names you can point to.

Experience leading through change, including where people were unconvinced.

The judgement to make a call under pressure and the confidence to explain it afterwards.

A full Class 1 New Zealand driver licence.

A reasonable level of physical fitness, you may be required to walk long distances, climb stairs, stand for long periods, and respond physically in an emergency.

We’d like you to have, and will help you build:

Experience in security, defence, emergency services, corrections or other controlled or compliance related environment.

Knowledge of NZDF and the National Protective Security Requirements (PSR).

Public or state sector experience.

Experience with performance and employment processes.

A current First Aid certificate — if you don’t have one, we’ll arrange it.

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you

Safeguard your loved ones with a fully funded life cover of up to $300,000 and critical illness protection. Other benefits include discounted additional insurances, free will services and savings schemes for the Defence community. Get expert financial guidance and mortgage broker services. Find all our benefits and more on the Force 4 Families website.

NZDF champions diversity and inclusivity, valuing every member and fuelling their success. We embrace uniqueness, understanding that diverse teams drive creativity, innovation, and excellence. With an open door to all – irrespective of gender, ethnicity, ability, age, or family dynamics – NZDF offers a flexible, empowering work environment. Join us in shaping a brighter future, where everyone thrives.