Service Manager - Eastern Bay of Plenty

New Zealand Government; Bay of Plenty; On-site; NZD 115,000 - 133,000; Full time

Job summary

Ara Poutama Aotearoa - Department of Corrections in Whakatane is seeking a Service Manager to lead change and achieve outcomes through others. You will manage a team important to individuals, whānau and communities, and model manaaki and high performance.

You will provide professional leadership across practice, legislation, and offender management, build strong relationships with iwi and community groups, and drive continuous improvement in a Te Ao Māori space.

Qualifications

• Be a strong and visible leader who engages and motivates staff.
• Foster best practice in case management.
• Develop and maintain relationships with iwi and community groups.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team to deliver improved outcomes for individuals and whānau.
• Provide professional leadership across practice, legislation and offender management.

Skills

Visible leadership

Staff motivation

Team leadership

Communication

Relationship building

Influence outcomes

Iwi engagement

Te ao Māori space

Change management

Strategic thinking

Job description

Service Manager - Eastern Bay of Plenty/WhakataneLead change & show us how you achieve outcomes through othersManage a team that matters to individuals, whanau & our communitiesPermanent fulltime role based in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, predominantly in WhakataneHe aha te kai o te rangatira? He Korero, he korero, he korero.What is the food of the leader? It is knowledge. It is communication.Hokai Rangi is Ara Poutama Aotearoa's (Department of Corrections) Strategy that expresses our commitment to delivering great outcomes with and for Maori in our care and their whanau, so that we may begin addressing the over-representation of Maori in the corrections system.A key focus of Hokai Rangi is the humanising and healing of those in our management. Ara Poutama Aotearoa leaders focus on having relationships with those in our care and their whanau, that are based on manaaki and contribute positively to their wellbeing - and guiding their teams to do the same.Mo te tunga | About the roleAs a Service Manager your role is pivotal to delivering upon this promise. This role offers you the opportunity to showcase your ability to achieve outcomes through others, to live the values of Ara Poutama Aotearoa, to prove your capability as a true leader and to show determination to strive for high performance in line with our organisational strategies. In other words, be a driver of success for Hokai Rangi, which has a foundation of success in a values-led organisation. With rehabilitation of people in our management being our primary focus, a \"One Team\" approach is paramount to ensure those people in the management of Ara Poutama Aotearoa remain at the centre of our efforts and victims at the centre of our concern. By providing professional leadership in all aspects of practice, legislation, and offender management, you will maintain quality standards and ensure statutory obligations in line with Department policy.Mou | About youWe're looking for an inspirational and visible leader of teams, the kind of individual who leads and people naturally want to follow.To be successful, you will have the following skills and attributes:Be a strong and visible leader who engages and motivates staffProvide effective leadership that promotes team involvement in achieving service goals and objectivesFoster best practice in case managementBuild strong internal and external relationships and make good decisionsExcellent communication and relationship skills with an ability to influence outcomesDevelop and maintain effective working relationships with iwi and other cultural groups as well as community and restorative justice groups and other government departmentsGood understanding of, and appreciation for meeting Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations and statutory requirementsFocus on innovation, continuous improvement, and best practice implementation, championing regional and national initiativesCommitted to staff development and performance improvement in a change environmentThe ability to work in a te ao Maori space while going on your own cultural journey and walking alongside those in our careIf you are an experienced leader of a team or have the communication skills, initiative, and leadership qualities to move into a leadership role then apply now. We will give you the training and support you need to lead your team. This is a challenging and rewarding space to work; leading a team to make change that matters to individuals, their whanau and our communities.Nga painga | The benefitsThe full range salary range is $115,000 to $132,967 per annum. Appointment and remuneration will reflect skills and experience relevant to the role.Mo matou | About usJoin Ara Poutama Aotearoa - Department of Corrections, where your work will contribute to improving public safety, reducing re-offending, and address the overrepresentation of Maori in correctional facilities. As a values-led organisation, we use the principles of rangatira (leadership), manaaki (respect), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship), and whanau (relationships) to guide our work and achieve the goals of our Hokai Rangi strategy.We value inclusion and diversity in our workforce, and as a Public Service organisation we are committed to building a workforce that reflects the public we serve. We strive to make our recruitment process fair, and we encourage you to discuss reasonable accommodations with us if required.Tono inaianei | Apply NowTo submit an application and view the position description, click the apply link. All applications must be submitted through our careers site to ensure transparency - applications received via email will not be considered.When applying, submit a tailored CV and a cover letter describing your motivation for joining the department highlighting relevant skills and experience and the alignment to our work.Applications close on: Friday 20 November, 2026If you have any questions or want to learn more about a career with us, contact [e-mail] or visit careers.corrections.govt.nz.