Team Leader - Southern

Youthtown; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Youthtown is seeking a Team Leader in Christchurch to coach and develop Programme Leads and programme staff, ensuring quality and sustainable outcomes for tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau. You will lead recruitment, budget oversight, and workforce planning while fostering staff wellbeing and professional growth.

The role emphasizes strong leadership, relationship-building, and a strengths-based approach to youth development, with occasional travel across Te Waipounamu.

Qualifications

• Experience leading or developing people.
• Experience working with children, young people and whānau.
• Strong coaching and relationship-building skills.
• Good organisational and planning skills.
• Confidence giving feedback and having difficult conversations.
• Understanding of strengths-based youth development.
• Financial awareness to monitor programme performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop Programme Leads and programme staff.
• Support staff wellbeing, performance and professional growth.
• Build capability and grow future leaders.
• Support programme quality and consistency.
• Lead recruitment, onboarding and workforce planning.
• Monitor staffing utilisation and programme sustainability.
• Support programme budgets, income targets and funding opportunities.
• Build relationships with schools, community organisations and other stakeholders.
• Champion health, safety and safeguarding practices.
• Occasional travel throughout Te Waipounamu will be required.

Skills

People leadership

Coaching

Relationship building

Feedback conversations

Organisational planning

Budget monitoring

Youth development

Job description

Lead people. Grow capability. Help young people thrive.

Full Time | Christchurch Based

Youthtown is looking for a Team Leader to support and develop Programme Leads and programme teams across Te Waipounamu. You'll be part of a collaborative leadership team, working alongside another Team Leader and the Regional Manager to support programmes throughout the South Island. This role is about growing people, supporting quality programmes, and making sure our teams have what they need to deliver great outcomes for tamariki, rangatahi and whānau.

While Programme Leads own the day-to-day delivery of programmes, you'll provide coaching, support and oversight. You'll also be comfortable stepping in when needed, whether that's supporting a new Programme Lead, helping establish a programme, or covering operational gaps.

The Role

You'll:

• Lead, coach and develop Programme Leads and programme staff
• Support staff wellbeing, performance and professional growth
• Build capability and grow future leaders
• Support programme quality and consistency
• Lead recruitment, onboarding and workforce planning
• Monitor staffing utilisation and programme sustainability
• Support programme budgets, income targets and funding opportunities
• Build relationships with schools, community organisations and other stakeholders
• Champion health, safety and safeguarding practices

Occasional travel throughout Te Waipounamu will be required.

About You

You're passionate about youth development and helping others succeed. You understand what quality youth work looks like and can support others to deliver it. You're confident leading people, building relationships, having courageous conversations, and balancing people leadership with operational responsibilities. You'll likely bring experience from youth development, education, recreation, community services, or a similar field.

What Will Set You Up For Success

• Experience leading or developing people
• Experience working with children, young people and whānau
• Strong coaching and relationship-building skills
• Good organisational and planning skills
• Confidence giving feedback and having difficult conversations
• An understanding of strengths-based youth development
• Financial awareness and the ability to monitor programme performance

Requirements

• Full, clean New Zealand Driver Licence
• Ability to travel occasionally throughout Te Waipounamu
• Police Vetting
• Eligibility to work in New Zealand
• First Aid qualification, or willingness to obtain one

About Youthtown

Youthtown is a not-for-profit youth development organisation that has been working alongside young people across Aotearoa since 1932. Through our programmes, we help tamariki and rangatahi build confidence, resilience, leadership and connection while creating safe, supportive environments where they can thrive.

Why Join Us?

• Make a genuine difference in the lives of young people
• Lead and develop a passionate team
• A supportive and collaborative culture
• The opportunity to help shape programmes across Te Waipounamu

Note that Youthtown is committed to Child Protection and the safeguarding of children and young people in our care. It is our expectation that all staff will operate in a way that reflects this intent and the intent of the Children's Act (2014) to improve the well-being of vulnerable children. Appointment to this role will be subject to a satisfactory Police Record Check.