SLSNZ - National Search and Rescue Manager

Surf Life Sa; Tauranga; Remote; NZD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Surf Life Saving New Zealand is seeking an experienced National Search and Rescue Manager to lead the national SAR framework and annual workplan. You will connect strategy, readiness and local delivery, strengthening squad capability across Aotearoa.

The role reports to the General Manager Rescue and Response and oversees three regionally based SAR Support Officers, driving safety and performance across the organisation.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership within SAR or emergency services.
• Experience leading geographically dispersed teams.
• Strong strategic planning, organisational and project-management capability.
• Excellent relationship-management and communication skills.
• Ability to translate national strategy into practical local delivery.
• Sound health, safety, wellbeing and operational risk understanding.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation and refinement of the SLSNZ SAR Framework and annual workplan.
• Translate strategic priorities into clear operational plans, outcomes and performance measures.
• Provide specialist advice to inform organisational strategy, policy and investment decisions.
• Lead national coordination and readiness across SLSNZ SAR squads.
• Ensure consistent regional engagement, training, accreditation and operational standards.
• Coordinate national exercises, training and capability-development initiatives.
• Support emerging capabilities such as flood response and extended deployments.
• Lead, coach and develop a geographically dispersed SAR team.
• Build strong relationships with NZSAR, NZ Police, RCCNZ and sector partners.
• Monitor readiness, performance and investment outcomes.

Skills

SAR leadership

Strategic planning

Stakeholder management

People leadership

Change management

Data-driven insights

Job description

SLSNZ - National Search and Rescue Manager

National role | Based from any SLSNZ office | Permanent, fulltime role

• Lead the development of SLSNZ’s national Search and Rescue capability
• Connect strategy, operational readiness and local delivery
• Represent SLSNZ within New Zealand’s wider SAR system

Help shape the future of Search and Rescue at SLSNZ

Surf Life Saving New Zealand’s Search and Rescue squads provide skilled, locally based capability to support Police and partner agencies when people are missing or in distress around our coastlines and waterways.

We’re looking for an experienced Search and Rescue leader to provide national leadership and strategic oversight of this critical service.

As National Search and Rescue Manager, you’ll lead the implementation and ongoing development of the SLSNZ SAR Framework and annual workplan. You’ll connect people, systems and strategy, strengthening squad readiness, developing national capability and ensuring safe, consistent and sustainable delivery across Aotearoa.

About the role

Reporting to the General Manager Rescue and Response and contributing as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will lead three regionally based SAR Support Officers.

You will:

• Lead the implementation and refinement of the SLSNZ SAR Framework and annual workplan
• Translate strategic priorities into clear operational plans, outcomes and performance measures
• Provide specialist advice to inform organisational strategy, policy and investment decisions
• Lead national coordination and readiness across SLSNZ SAR squads
• Ensure consistent regional engagement, training, accreditation and operational standards
• Maintain and develop SAR policies, National Standard Operating Procedures and readiness standards
• Coordinate national exercises, training and capability-development initiatives
• Support emerging capabilities such as flood response, low-light operations and extended deployments
• Lead, coach and develop a geographically dispersed SAR team
• Build strong relationships with NZSAR, New Zealand Police, RCCNZ, FENZ, Coastguard, LandSAR and other sector partners
• Support the National SAR Committee and represent SLSNZ at selected national and sector forums
• Monitor and report on readiness, operational performance and investment outcomes
• Use data, operational learning and sector insights to guide continuous improvement
• Champion strong health, safety and wellbeing practices across SAR training, exercises and operations.

For a full position description click here

About you

You’ll bring operational credibility, strategic thinking and the ability to lead effectively across organisational, volunteer and agency boundaries.

You will have:

• A strong understanding of SLSNZ operations and Search and Rescue systems
• Demonstrated leadership experience within SAR or emergency services
• Experience leading, coaching and developing geographically dispersed teams
• Strong strategic planning, organisational and project-management capability
• Excellent relationship-management and communication skills
• Experience working collaboratively with volunteers and operational specialists
• Confidence representing an organisation within inter-agency or system-level forums
• Experience using data, reporting and operational insights to improve performance
• A sound understanding of health, safety, wellbeing and operational risk
• The ability to translate national strategy into practical and sustainable local delivery

Experience working within or alongside national SAR agencies, facilitating training or developing volunteer capability would be advantageous.

Why join SLSNZ?

This is an opportunity to influence Search and Rescue capability nationally while remaining closely connected to the volunteers and teams who deliver it locally. You’ll help shape the systems, partnerships and investments that support safe and effective responses across Aotearoa and ensure SLSNZ remains a trusted, capable contributor to New Zealand’s wider SAR system.

You’ll join a purpose-driven organisation guided by our Kawa Tātaki, Respect, Integrity, Collaboration, Wellbeing and Fun and connected through Kapa Kotahi, our commitment to working as one team.