Visitor Experience Manager

MOTAT; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent museum of innovation in Christchurch seeks a Visitor Experience Manager to lead a creative team in delivering engaging programmes that inspire visitors. You will shape experiences focused on transport, science, and technology, while integrating te ao Māori into storytelling. Ideal candidates have around five years of relevant experience, strong leadership skills, and a passion for creating inclusive experiences. Flexible working is offered.

Benefits

Supportive team culture

Flexible working policies

Birthday leave

Study leave

Additional employer KiwiSaver contributions

MOTAT Mates annual pass

Qualifications

• Around five years’ experience in developing and delivering visitor experiences.
• Proven experience managing people, projects, and budgets.
• Background in public events, placemaking, arts, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Lead a creative team to deliver seasonal programmes and events.
• Shape engaging, family-friendly experiences for visitors.
• Help embed te ao Māori into storytelling.

Skills

Visitor-first mindset

Leadership skills

Empathy

Creativity

Tools

Microsoft SharePoint

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Vernon

Artifax

Tessitura

Job description

Are you a creative and collaborative leader who loves crafting memorable visitor experiences?

Join MOTAT! Aotearoa’s museum of innovation and technology, where imagination meets exploration. We inspire tamariki and whānau through interactive programmes that celebrate transport, science, technology, and storytelling. If you bring or are growing your understanding of te ao Māori, we’d love to support your journey.

About the Role

As Visitor Experience Manager, you’ll lead a creative team to deliver MOTAT’s seasonal programmes and events that spark curiosity in transport, science, technology, and innovation. Reporting to the Public Programmes Manager, you’ll shape engaging, family-friendly experiences while helping embed te ao Māori into our storytelling.

This full-time role is mostly Monday to Friday, with some evenings and weekends. We offer flexible working to support your work-life balance.

About You

We’re looking for someone with:

• Around five years’ experience in developing and delivering visitor experiences, public events, or programmes.
• Proven experience managing people, projects, and budgets.
• A background in public events, placemaking, arts, or a related field; though we welcome transferable skills from other sectors.
• A visitor-first mindset and a passion for creating inclusive, engaging experiences.
• Strong leadership skills with empathy, creativity, and a collaborative spirit.
• Experience with Microsoft tools (SharePoint, Outlook, Word, Excel etc.), Vernon, Artifax, and/or Tessitura are all welcome/highly desirable

Why Work at MOTAT?

• A supportive, inclusive team culture
• Flexible working policies
• Birthday leave and study leave
• Additional employer KiwiSaver contributions
• A MOTAT Mates annual pass for you and your whānau

We reserve the right to begin interviewing during the recruitment period, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible!