Student Support Services Manager

SIT - Te Pūkenga; Invercargill City; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) invites applications for an experienced Student Support Services Manager. Reporting to the Chief Executive, you will lead student support and library services, shaping strategies to boost learner success, wellbeing, engagement, retention and achievement across the institute.

You will oversee wellbeing, counselling, disability support, academic and employment services, and build strong partnerships with staff, community organisations, iwi, industry and

Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualification in education, student services, social services, counselling, health, management, community development, leadership, or related field.
• Proven leadership experience within tertiary education, student services, wellbeing services, library services, or similar environment.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and managing operational budgets.
• Strong understanding of learner success, wellbeing, engagement, and support frameworks.
• Excellent relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• A commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and culturally responsive practice.
• The ability to lead change, analyse data, and drive service improvement.

Responsibilities

• Providing strategic leadership for student support and library services.
• Leading initiatives that promote learner success, engagement, retention, and achievement.
• Overseeing student wellbeing, counselling, disability support, health services, academic support, employment support, library services and student engagement programmes.
• Building strong partnerships with academic and allied staff, community organisations, industry, iwi, and external agencies.
• Supporting success for all students including Māori, Pasifika, disabled, neurodivergent, and other priority learner groups.
• Ensuring compliance with the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021.
• Leading continuous improvement, service development, and staff performance initiatives.

Skills

Leadership experience

Stakeholder engagement

Data analysis

Change management

Education

Tertiary qualification in education or related field

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.

Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) is a well-established vocational education provider with a history dating back to 1896. We provide a broad range of vocational and applied degree programmes, and we are committed to providing accessible, high-quality education that supports learner success and regional development.

We are seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Student Support Services Manager to provide strategic and operational leadership across our student support and library services. This is a senior key leadership role focused on enhancing learner success, wellbeing, engagement, retention, and achievement across the institute.

About the Role

Reporting to the Chief Executive, you will lead a diverse team responsible for delivering high-quality student support services and library operations. You will work collaboratively across the organisation and with external partners to ensure students have access to the support they need to thrive academically, personally, and professionally.

Key responsibilities include:

Providing strategic leadership for student support and library services.

Leading initiatives that promote learner success, engagement, retention, and achievement.

Overseeing student wellbeing, counselling, disability support, health services, academic support, employment support, library services and student engagement programmes.

Building strong partnerships with academic and allied staff, community organisations, industry, iwi, and external agencies.

Supporting success for all students including Māori, Pasifika, disabled, neurodivergent, and other priority learner groups.

Ensuring compliance with the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021.

Leading continuous improvement, service development, and staff performance initiatives.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have:

A relevant tertiary qualification in education, student services, social services, counselling, health, management, community development, leadership, or a related field.

Proven leadership experience within tertiary education, student services, wellbeing services, library services, or a similar environment.

Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and managing operational budgets.

Strong understanding of learner success, wellbeing, engagement, and support frameworks.

Excellent relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills.

A commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and culturally responsive practice.

The ability to lead change, analyse data, and drive service improvement.

Why Join SIT?

At SIT, you will be part of an organisation that puts learners at the centre of everything we do. You'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in students' lives while contributing to the future success of vocational education in New Zealand.

Applications close on 8th September 2026 and will be reviewed as they are received.

Due to the fast-paced nature of our vacancies, close dates may be subject to change.

Applicants for this position should have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa.