Chief Executive
 
Community Wellbeing North Canterbury Trust | Rangiora / North Canterbury
 
Honour the legacy. Lead the next chapter.
 
Growing what works. Protecting what matters.

• Purpose-led leadership: Lead a respected community trust providing free, accessible and responsive services for whānau, rangatahi and tamariki.
• Planned transition: Step into a well-supported CE appointment with time for thoughtful handover, continuity and relationship-building.
• Community impact: Strengthen services, partnerships, funding and organisational capability across Waimakariri and Hurunui.

Community Wellbeing North Canterbury Trust is a values-led, community-based charitable trust providing free social and community services to strengthen the wellbeing of whānau, rangatahi and tamariki across North Canterbury.
 
Based in Rangiora and Kaiapoi, the Trust works across the largely rural districts of Waimakariri and Hurunui, offering practical, relational and responsive support to people and whānau navigating life's challenges. Its services include:

• individual and whānau support
• whānau social work
• foodbank and food support
• parenting support and education
• early childhood education through Karanga Mai Early Learning Centre
• tamariki and rangatahi mental health and wellbeing support
• New Start alcohol and drug support
• restorative justice
• suicide prevention and postvention support

The Trust has deep local roots, a strong heart and an enduring commitment to an equitable, thriving community.
 
Why This Role Exists
 
The retirement of the existing longstanding and dedicated Chief Executive brings the opportunity for a well-planned and thoughtful leadership transition.
 
This is not simply a replacement process. It is an opportunity to honour what has been built, protect the Trust's culture and relationships and identify the leadership needed for the next chapter.
 
Community Wellbeing North Canterbury Trust operates in a complex and increasingly demanding environment. Community need is high, funding and contract settings require careful stewardship and the organisation continues to strengthen its systems, partnerships, cultural responsiveness and future sustainability.
 
The Board is seeking a grounded, values-led Chief Executive who can work effectively across purpose, people and performance. Their "why" is about people, whānau, trust and impact and the next Chief Executive will need to ensure the organisation's systems, operations and resources are working well in support of better community outcomes.
 
The Opportunity
 
Reporting to the Board through the Chair, the Chief Executive will provide strategic, operational and people leadership across the Trust.
 
The focus will include:

• Leading the Trust's operations, people, services and organisational performance
• Supporting a positive, professional and inclusive workplace where staff are engaged and thriving
• Supporting the Trust's ongoing journey to give meaningful effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, strengthen relationships with mana whenua and tāngata whenua, and continue developing culturally responsive and mana-enhancing practice.
• Working with the Board to shape strategic and annual planning
• Maintaining strong financial, funding, contract, reporting and risk management disciplines
• Building trusted relationships with funders, councils, mana whenua, agencies, schools, community partners and local stakeholders
• Strengthening visibility, partnerships and the Trust's contribution across North Canterbury

This role will suit someone who can listen carefully, build trust, make sound decisions and hold accountability with care. The early phase will require thorough orientation, relationship-building and continuity with thoughtful and considered change and development coming over time.
 
About You
 
You will bring senior leadership experience from a values-led, community-focused or public-good environment. Experience in the NGO, not-for-profit, social services, health, education, community development or public-sector-funded environment would be highly relevant.
 
Previous Chief Executive experience would be valuable although the Board is open to considering an experienced senior leader stepping into their first CE role, provided they bring the capability, judgement, maturity and values alignment required.
 
A relevant tertiary or professional qualification is preferred and relevant backgrounds could include social work, psychology, counselling, community development, health, education, public policy, management, leadership, business or another field connected to the Trust's work.
 
You are likely to be someone who:

• Has a demonstrated practical understanding of the nature of rural social service delivery
• Leads with warmth, integrity, self-awareness and emotional intelligence
• Builds trust with staff, board members, funders, mana whenua and tāngata whenua, agencies and community partners
• Is committed to giving meaningful effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, while continuing to learn, listen and act with respect
• Understands the demands of purpose-led, community-facing work
• Can balance relational leadership with structure, discipline and follow-through
• Has confidence with funding, financial oversight, governance reporting and stakeholder relationships
• Will honour the Trust's history while helping shape its future
• Is collaborative, visible, steady and values-led

This role will suit someone who brings wisdom, emotional intelligence and thoughtful leadership, who knows how to earn trust, support good people, strengthen systems and keep community impact and purpose front of mind.
 
Why Community Wellbeing North Canterbury Trust
 
Community Wellbeing North Canterbury Trust offers the chance to lead an organisation with deep community roots, trusted local relationships and meaningful impact across North Canterbury.
 
The mahi matters. The Trust walks alongside people and whānau as they navigate complex challenges, often in a rural environment meaning their services make a tangible and visible difference to the community.
 
For a leader motivated by community wellbeing, relational leadership, Te Tiriti partnership, practical service delivery and long-term social impact, this is a rare and rewarding opportunity.
 
For a confidential conversation or to request a copy of the candidate briefing document, please contact Heather Ewing on 03 2650 667 or Rob Bishop on 03 2650 666, or click the 'Apply' button to express your interest in finding out more.
 
All applications will be managed by the team at Bishop.