Senior School Administrator

University of Canterbury; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

4 weeks annual leave +5 days universit

Fixed term position

Employer contribution to superann

Flexible working arrangement

Supportive working environment

Discounts across shopping, entertainm

Living in Ōtautahi Christchurch

Campus facilities access (RecCentre,)

Job summary

The University of Canterbury in Christchurch seeks an experienced senior administrator to lead the School of Psychology, Speech & Hearing’s operations. You will supervise finance, academic administration and staff, ensuring efficient processes and excellent support for staff and students.

Working with the Administration Services Manager you will drive financial oversight, continuous improvement and stakeholder engagement, aligning with UC's values and strategic objectives in a vibrant campus

Qualifications

• NZQA Level 5 or equivalent tertiary qualification.
• Experience in business administration and coordinating complex operations.
• Proven supervisory experience of administrative teams and workloads.
• Experience monitoring budgets and financial documentation.
• Experience with academic administration, enrollments or student systems.
• Strong communication and stakeholder relationship skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior administrative leadership within the School of Psychology, Speech & Hearing.
• Oversee day-to-day operations across finance, academic administration and staff management.
• Ensure efficient processes and high-quality support for staff and students.
• Contribute to strategic and operational objectives through financial oversight and continuous improvement.
• Engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Financial management

Staff management

Stakeholder engagement

Education

NZQA Level 5 qualification or equivalent

Job description

The University of Canterbury was established in 1873. Based in Christchurch, on the South Island of New Zealand, the University of Canterbury (UC) has an impressive international profile in research, learning and advanced scholarship in...

Te Kura Mahi ā Hirikapo | School of Psychology, Speech & Hearing

Located in Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa | New Zealand

• 4 weeks annual leave +5 days university holidays
• Fixed term position, 37.5 hours per week
• Generous employer contribution to superannuation (up to 6.75%)

Āu Mahi | What You Will Do

This is an exciting opportunity to provide senior administrative leadership within the School of Psychology, Speech & Hearing. Working alongside the Administration Services Manager, you will oversee day-to-day operations across finance, academic administration and staff management, ensuring efficient processes and high-quality support for staff and students. You will also contribute to the School's strategic and operational objectives through financial oversight, continuous improvement and effective stakeholder engagement.

You are an experienced administrator with strong financial capabilities, excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities. You bring a proactive, solutions-focused approach, enjoy supporting and developing others, and can build effective relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.

You will also be able to demonstrate experience in:

• Proven extensive experience in business administration and coordinating complex operational functions.
• Supervising administrative teams, allocating workloads and supporting staff development.
• Monitoring budgets, analysing financial data and managing financial documentation.
• Managing academic administration, enrolments, examinations or student management systems.
• Coordinating recruitment, payroll, timesheets and travel arrangements.
• Maintaining administrative systems, improving processes and managing competing priorities.
• Strong written and verbal communication, problem-solving and stakeholder relationship skills.
• An alignment with our organisation's values and culture, promoting a positive and inclusive work environment.

A tertiary qualification at NZQA Level 5 or equivalent experience is required. Experience within a tertiary education environment is desirable, as is a demonstrated commitment to upholding organisational values, tikanga and te reo Māori. Competency in te reo Māori me ōna tikanga would be an advantage.

Mahi Ngātahi | Who You Will Work With

Reporting to the Administration Services Manager and working with the wider School, you will provide leadership and supervision to the School's academic administration team. You will collaborate with academic staff, programme coordinators and wider University colleagues to support the effective delivery of the School's operations.

Ngā Painga o UC | Why UC

At UC, being part of our team means more than just a job. We are committed to supporting our kaimahi | staff's career and wellbeing with benefits designed to help our kaimahi grow and feel connected, supported and valued.

• 4 weeks annual leave +5 days university holidays
• generous employer contribution to superannuation (up to 6.75%)
• flexible working arrangement
• supportive working environment
• a wide range of retail discounts across shopping, entertainment and travel
• living in revitalised Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand
• a unique working environment in a beautiful campus with access to UC facilities such as UC RecCentre and Staff Club at discounted rates plus onsite cafés and eateries, and more.

The closing date for this position is: 18 November 2026 (midnight, NZ time)

Please note, applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may take place before the close date.

You must have Aotearoa New Zealand or Australian citizenship/permanent residency or hold a valid NZ work visa to be considered for this role.

Please note, this is an onsite position.