Team Leader -| Full-Time Hawke’s Bay

Connections; Hawke's Bay; Remote; NZD 44,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Community Connections | Te Hāpori Āwhina Tāngata is seeking an experienced Team Leader in Hawke's Bay to blend hands-on disability support with team leadership. You will mentor staff, coordinate rosters, and ensure person-centered, safe services for people supported and their whānau.

The role focuses on empowering people to make choices and participate in their communities while maintaining high-quality service delivery. A strong leadership mindset and collaborative approach are essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum two years’ disability support experience.
• Experience leading or mentoring teams is desirable.
• Full NZ driver's license and ability to work in NZ.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on operational support to a dedicated team.
• Mentor and give feedback to Support Workers.
• Assist with rosters, workloads and daily priorities.
• Support staff to implement individual support plans and Safe Working Practices.
• Respond to incidents and changing service requirements.
• Build positive relationships with people supported, whānau and colleagues.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen team capability and service quality.

Skills

Disability support

Leadership

Driver's license

MS Office / Google Workspace

Communication

Education

NZ Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 3/4)

Job description

• Permanent Full-time | 80 hours per fortnight
• 31.60–34.14 per hour, depending on qualifications

We’re looking for an experienced, adaptable and people-focused Team Leader to join our Hawke’s Bay team. This is an opportunity for someone with a strong background in disability support who is ready to further develop their existing leadership skills. You’ll combine hands‑on support with team support and supervision, staff development and day‑to‑day service coordination.

About Us

Community Connections | Te Hāpori Āwhina Tāngata is a community-based disability support provider operating across much of the North Island.

Our vision is an inclusive Aotearoa where disabled people are valued and supported to live the lives they choose. We are committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the NZ Disability Strategy, and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

We welcome applications from all backgrounds, especially Māori, Pasifika, LGBTQIA+ communities, and people with lived experience of disability or mental health.

About the Role

As Team Leader, you’ll provide hands‑on operational support to a dedicated team delivering high‑quality, person‑directed disability support.

Working alongside people supported, their whānau and staff, you’ll help create an environment where people are empowered to make choices, build independence and participate meaningfully in their communities.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Provide clear support with direction, mentoring and constructive feedback to Support Workers.
• Assist with rosters, workloads and daily priorities to support consistent service delivery.
• Support staff to implement individual support plans, Positive Behaviour Support strategies and safe working practices.
• Respond effectively to incidents, emerging challenges and changing service requirements.
• Build positive, respectful relationships with people supported, whānau, colleagues and other stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen team capability, communication and service quality.
• Work alongside people supported, modelling our “do with, not for” approach to promote choice, confidence and independence.

About You

You’ll be a confident and approachable professional who can balance the needs of the people we support with the practical demands of coordinating a busy service.

We’re looking for someone with:

• At least two years’ experience providing disability support, with a sound understanding of person‑directed practice.
• The ability to guide colleagues, build a positive team culture and manage competing priorities.
• Strong problem‑solving and decision‑making skills, particularly when responding to operational issues or incidents.
• The ability to mentor and provide constructive feedback to others.
• An understanding of Positive Behaviour Support and positive skill development.
• Awareness of accessibility requirements, including wheelchair access and inclusive environments.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to adapt communication to individual needs.
• Confidence using Microsoft Word, Excel, Google Workspace and other workplace systems.
• A collaborative, resilient and adaptable approach to work.
• Previous experience coordinating shifts, mentoring colleagues or undertaking senior support responsibilities would be an advantage, but formal leadership experience is not essential.

Above all, you’ll share our commitment to person‑directed support, dignity, choice and self‑determination.

• NZ Certificate in Health and Wellbeing level 3 or 4, or an equivalent recognised disability or health‑related qualification.
• A minimum of two years’ relevant experience in disability support.
• A full, valid New Zealand driver’s licence.
• Legal right to work in New Zealand.
• Ability to meet applicable pre-employment safety and vetting requirements.

Why Join Us?

At Community Connections, you’ll be part of a values‑driven organisation committed to making a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

We offer:

• An opportunity to develop your leadership skills while making a direct contribution to service quality.
• Opportunities for ongoing professional development and learning.
• A collaborative team environment focused on quality support and continuous improvement.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme.
• The opportunity to support disabled people to achieve their goals and participate in their communities.

If you’re an experienced Support Worker ready to develop your leadership capability, or an established leader looking for a meaningful new opportunity, we’d love to hear from you.