Practice Manager - Military Style Academy

New Zealand Government Joba; Palmerston North; On-site; NZD 126,000 - 139,000; Full time

Job summary

Oranga Tamariki in Palmerston North is seeking an experienced Practice Manager for the Military Style Academy to lead frontline teams in a 24/7 secure residence, driving therapeutic and rehabilitative outcomes for rangatahi.

Based at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice Residence, the role provides operational leadership, workforce planning, risk management, and alignment with legislative requirements, reporting to Kaiwhakahaere and collaborating with whānau and mana whenua.

Qualifications

• 4-5 years' leadership experience within a Youth Justice residence or comparable setting.
• Strong knowledge of Youth Justice practice, rehabilitation, and working with high-risk and vulnerable young people.
• Experience leading frontline teams within a 24/7 operational environment.
• Proven capability in people leadership, workforce development, and performance management.
• Strong risk management and incident response experience.
• Demonstrated ability to build productive relationships across multidisciplinary teams.
• A commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and culturally responsive practice.
• A current full New Zealand Driver Licence.

Responsibilities

• Leading, coaching, and developing Team Leaders and frontline kaimahi.
• Providing day-to-day operational oversight of programme delivery.
• Promoting a culture of accountability, practice excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Ensuring programme delivery aligns with therapeutic and rehabilitative objectives.
• Managing workforce planning, rostering, recruitment, and capability development.
• Leading responses to incidents and supporting effective risk management.
• Maintaining compliance with legislative, regulatory, and organisational requirements.
• Building strong relationships with Te Ara Hou, Residence leadership, whānau, mana whenua, and key stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Youth Justice

Risk management

Incident response

Communication

Problem solving

Cultural responsiveness

Job description

Palmerston North Location — 12Month Fixed Term Contract.

Lead frontline excellence. Drive positive change. Support better outcomes for rangatahi.

Oranga Tamariki is seeking an experienced and values-driven Practice Manager to join the Military Style Academy (MSA) leadership team based at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice Residence in PalmerstonNorth. The Military Style Academy is an intensive therapeutic intervention for serious and persistent youth offenders. Delivered within a secure youth justice residence, the programme combines educational, vocational, cultural, therapeutic, and physical activities to support sustainable behavioural change and positive long-term outcomes for rangatahi.

As Practice Manager, you will provide operational leadership across the frontline workforce, ensuring a safe, structured, therapeutic, and rehabilitative environment that supports rangatahi to develop positive futures. Reporting to the Kaiwhakahaere, you'll play a key role in translating programme objectives into high-quality daily practice while building capability, performance, and a culture of excellence across your teams.

Mō te tūnga | About the role

• Leading, coaching, and developing Team Leaders and frontline kaimahi.
• Providing day-to-day operational oversight of programme delivery.
• Promoting a culture of accountability, practice excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Ensuring programme delivery aligns with therapeutic and rehabilitative objectives.
• Managing workforce planning, rostering, recruitment, and capability development.
• Leading responses to incidents and supporting effective risk management.
• Maintaining compliance with legislative, regulatory, and organisational requirements.
• Building strong relationships with Te Ara Hou, Residence leadership, whānau, mana whenua, and key stakeholders.
• This role participates in an on‑call roster and may provide leadership coverage for the Kaiwhakahaere when required.

He kōrero mōu | About you

• 4-5 years' leadership experience within a Youth Justice residence, secure care environment, or comparable setting.
• Strong knowledge of Youth Justice practice, rehabilitation, and working with high-risk and vulnerable young people.
• Experience leading frontline teams within a 24/7 operational environment.
• Proven capability in people leadership, workforce development, and performance management.
• Strong risk management and incident response experience.
• Demonstrated ability to build productive relationships across multidisciplinary teams.
• A commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and culturally responsive practice.
• Excellent communication, judgement, and problem‑solving skills.
• A current full New Zealand Driver Licence.

Why join the Military Style Academy?

This is an opportunity to be part of a unique programme that is making a meaningful difference in the lives of rangatahi, whānau, and communities across Aotearoa.

You'll have the opportunity to:

• Lead and develop high‑performing teams.
• Influence programme delivery and operational excellence.
• Help create a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment for rangatahi.
• Strengthen partnerships with whānau, iwi, and community organisations.
• Be part of a passionate leadership team committed to lasting positive change.

About Oranga Tamariki

At Oranga Tamariki, our vision is that NewZealand values the wellbeing of tamariki above all else. We work alongside whānau and communities to ensure tamariki and rangatahi are safe, strong, connected, and able to flourish.

Remuneration for this position starts between $125,926 - $139,459 depending on experience.

Applications close at midnight on Wednesday the 14th of October 2026.