Takurua Centre Director

University of Canterbury; Christchurch; Hybrid; NZD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee benefits package

Job summary

The University of Canterbury invites an experienced senior leader to guide UC Recreation and Sport through Takurua, a major new sport, recreation and wellbeing facility opening in 2027. Reporting to the Director of People and Culture, the Takurua Centre Director will build an integrated leadership team, shape services, operating model, culture and a practical opening plan.

This is a rare opportunity to create an enduring, student-centered service that connects facilities, programmes and people

Qualifications

• Experience leading leaders and developing cohesive, high-performing teams.
• Ability to translate organisational ambition into practical plans, priorities and measures.
• Strong financial and commercial judgement within a values-led service environment.
• Experience guiding people and services through meaningful organisational change.
• An inclusive and culturally responsive approach, with a commitment to UC's values and ongoing learning in te ao Māori.
• A genuine commitment to improving student participation, connection and wellbeing.

Responsibilities

• Lead UC Recreation and Sport through three managers responsible for Operations, Sport, and Health and Fitness.
• Bring Takurua to life by shaping its services, operating model, culture and future potential.
• Ensure current recreation and sport services remain safe, reliable and well led throughout the transition.
• Establish a clear direction and opening plan for UC Recreation and Sport and Takurua.
• Build a connected and accountable leadership team across the three specialist portfolios.
• Lead workforce planning, service integration and organisational readiness for the new facility.
• Strengthen financial stewardship and develop sustainable partnership, income and facility-use opportunities.
• Build trusted relationships across UC, student clubs, sporting organisations and community partners.
• Maintain senior oversight of service performance, health and safety, risk and business continuity.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Team leadership

Financial acumen

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

Te Ratonga Hākinakina | University of Canterbury Recreation and Sport
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury
Located in Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa | New Zealand

• Lead UC Recreation and Sport through the launch of Takurua
• Set the strategy for participation, performance and facility use
• Attractive remuneration and a comprehensive UC employee benefits package

Be the leader who turns a major new facility into a place where students participate, connect and belong.

A Rare Leadership Opportunity

The name Takurua appears in the Ika o Te Raki narrative, with Takurua being one of its principal stars. Takurua represents winter and signals change, movement and transition, fitting for a new facility designed to reshape how students connect, participation and engage with campus life.

The University of Canterbury is seeking an experienced senior leader to guide UC Recreation and Sport into Takurua, its major new sport, recreation and wellbeing facility opening in 2027.

This is an opportunity to create something enduring: an integrated service that connects facilities, programmes and people, giving more students a reason to participate and belong.

About the University of Canterbury

Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury is a research-led university with more than 27,000 students and a proud history extending over 150 years.

UC’s values of manaakitanga, whanaungatanga and tiakitanga shape how its people work together, care for others and manage resources responsibly.

Takurua represents a significant investment in the future student experience.
Nearly twice the size of the current Recreation Centre, Takurua will bring together indoor and outdoor sport, fitness, group exercise, social and recovery spaces, counselling and allied health services within a modern and accessible campus environment.

About the Role

Reporting to the Director of People and Culture, the Takurua Centre Director will lead UC Recreation and Sport through three managers responsible for Operations, Sport, and Health and Fitness. The Director will build an integrated leadership team with a clear direction for the new facility and the wider service.

With an established project team delivering the building, the Director’s focus will be on bringing Takurua to life by shaping its services, operating model, culture and future potential. They will build on the valuable planning already underway, turning it into a practical opening plan and a longer-term vision that strengthens participation, wellbeing and the student experience.

Alongside preparation for Takurua, the Director will ensure current recreation and sport services remain safe, reliable and well led throughout the transition.

Key Areas of Focus

• Establish a clear direction and opening plan for UC Recreation and Sport and Takurua.
• Build a connected and accountable leadership team across the three specialist portfolios.
• Lead workforce planning, service integration and organisational readiness for the new facility.
• Strengthen financial stewardship and develop sustainable partnership, income and facility-use opportunities.
• Build trusted relationships across UC, student clubs, sporting organisations and community partners.
• Maintain senior oversight of service performance, health and safety, risk and business continuity.

About You

You will be a credible senior leader with substantial experience leading through others, creating clarityand bringing different people and services together around a shared purpose.

Your background may be in sport, recreation, health and fitness, tertiary sport, community recreation or another complex multi-service facility environment. Experience opening a facility would be valuable, but relevant sector leadership and the ability to work within a large institution will matter more.

You will bring:

• Experience leading leaders and developing cohesive, high-performing teams.
• The ability to translate organisational ambition into practical plans, priorities and measures.
• Strong financial and commercial judgement within a values-led service environment.
• Experience guiding people and services through meaningful organisational change.
• An inclusive and culturally responsive approach, with a commitment to UC's values and ongoing learning in te ao Māori.
• A relevant bachelor’s degree or equivalent recognised qualification.
• A genuine commitment to improving student participation, connection and wellbeing.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

Few leadership roles offer this combination of purpose, organisational influence and freedom to create. You will help establish a major new facility, strengthen the contribution of sport and recreation across UC and shape an experience that will serve students for years to come.