Team Leader Practice - Military Style Academy

Oranga Tamariki; Palmerston North; On-site; NZD 106,000 - 118,000; Full time

Job summary

Oranga Tamariki is seeking a Team Leader Practice for the Military Style Academy (MSA) Programme in Palmerston North. You will lead frontline kaimahi, coach staff, ensure safe and therapeutic programme delivery, and foster culturally responsive practice within a 24/7 environment.

Reporting to the Practice Manager, you will develop staff capability, oversee staffing and risk management, and build strong relationships with whānau, iwi, and community partners. A driver’s licence is required.

Qualifications

• 3 to 5 years' leadership experience within youth justice, corrections, military, police, social services, or a comparable environment.
• Experience leading frontline teams and supporting service delivery in a 24/7 operational setting.
• Strong people leadership skills with proven experience managing performance, capability and staff wellbeing.
• Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and culturally responsive practice.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support a team of frontline kaimahi delivering the MSA Programme.
• Coach, mentor and develop staff to strengthen capability, confidence and performance.
• Ensure programme activities are delivered safely and effectively.
• Promote therapeutic, strengths-based and trauma-informed practice.
• Manage staffing coordination and workforce planning.
• Maintain oversight of safety, security and risk management.
• Lead responses to incidents and support effective decision-making in dynamic environments.
• Foster accountability, wellbeing, continuous improvement and practice excellence.
• Build strong working relationships with internal teams, whānau, iwi, community partners and stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership experience

Team coaching

Risk management

Culturally responsive practice

Driver's licence

Job description

Team Leader Practice - Military Style Academy

Oranga Tamariki is seeking an experienced and motivated Team Leader Practice to join the Military Style Academy (MSA) Programme based in Palmerston North.

The MSA Programme is an intensive therapeutic intervention for serious and persistent youth offenders delivered within a secure youth justice residence. The programme combines educational, vocational, cultural, therapeutic, and physical activities to support sustainable behavioural change and positive long-term outcomes for rangatahi.

As Team Leader Practice, you will provide day-to-day leadership and supervision to frontline kaimahi, ensuring programme activities are delivered safely, consistently, and in line with operational requirements and therapeutic objectives. You will play a critical role in developing staff capability, maintaining high practice standards, and creating an environment where rangatahi can achieve positive and lasting change.

Mō te tūnga | About the role

Reporting to the Practice Manager, you will:

• Lead and support a team of frontline kaimahi delivering the MSA Programme.
• Coach, mentor and develop staff to strengthen capability, confidence and performance.
• Ensure programme activities are delivered safely and effectively.
• Promote therapeutic, strengths-based, trauma-informed and culturally responsive practice.
• Manage operational requirements including staffing coordination and workforce planning.
• Maintain oversight of safety, security and risk management.
• Lead responses to incidents and support effective decision-making in dynamic environments.
• Foster a culture of accountability, wellbeing, continuous improvement and practice excellence.
• Build strong working relationships with internal teams, whānau, iwi, community partners and stakeholders.

We are looking for an experienced leader who can inspire others and confidently lead within a complex operational environment.

You will bring:

• 3 to 5 years' leadership experience within youth justice, corrections, military, police, social services, or a comparable environment.
• Experience leading frontline teams and supporting service delivery in a 24/7 operational setting.
• Strong people leadership skills with proven experience managing performance, capability and staff wellbeing.
• Sound judgement and the ability to make effective decisions under pressure.
• Experience managing risk, responding to incidents and leading through challenging situations.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• A commitment to therapeutic, strengths-based and mana-enhancing approaches.
• Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and experience supporting culturally responsive practice.
• A current full driver's licence.

Why join the MSA Programme?

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a transformative programme that helps rangatahi build the skills, resilience and confidence needed to create positive futures.

You'll be part of a passionate team committed to:

• Supporting meaningful behavioural change.
• Creating safe and structured environments for growth.
• Working alongside whānau and communities to achieve better outcomes.
• Delivering innovative and therapeutic interventions for young people.
• Making a real difference in the lives of rangatahi every day.

Oranga Tamariki works to ensure all tamariki and rangatahi are in loving whānau and communities where they can be safe, strong, connected and flourish. We are committed to achieving better outcomes for tamariki and rangatahi, particularly Māori, through culturally responsive and evidence-informed practice.

Remuneration for this position starts between $106,416 - $117,782

Applications close at midnight on Wednesday the 14th of October 2026.

Location(s) All New Zealand, Te Tai Tokerau Region, Kaitaia, North Shore, Hamilton, Tauranga, Hastings, Wellington, Hawera, Blenheim, Ashburton, Alexandra, Auckland, Kaikohe, West Auckland, Paeroa, Rotorua, Dannevirke, Lower Hutt, Horowhenua, Greymouth, Christchurch, Balclutha, Waikato, Whangarei, Central Auckland, Tokoroa, Napier, Upper Hutt, Palmerston North, Nelson, Rangiora, Dunedin, Bay of Plenty, Dargaville, South Auckland, Taupō, Gisborne, Porirua, Manawatu, Timaru, Gore, East Coast, Whakatane, Hawkes Bay, Paraparaumu, New Plymouth, Invercargill, Wellington, Masterton, Taumarunui, Oamaru, Taranaki-Manawatu, Wairoa, Whanganui, Upper South, Waipukurau, Canterbury, Lower South