Ōtautahi Christchurch

• Purpose-led senior leadership opportunity with meaningful community impact
• Lead a respected specialist organisation approaching its 40th anniversary
• Honour the proud legacy of the organisation while strengthening it for the future

Understand what matters. Protect it. Lead it forward.
 
START - Tīmataia te mahu-oranga is an independent Christchurch-based social service agency providing specialist support to children, young people and adults affected by sexual violence, together with their families and whānau.
 
The organisation was established in 1987 by three women who recognised a significant gap in services available to children and young people who had disclosed sexual abuse. From those beginnings, START has grown into a highly respected specialist provider of counselling, therapy, social work services, consultation and education. Its multidisciplinary team includes psychologists, psychotherapists, counsellors, therapists and registered social workers, united by the belief that people have the right to be safe and can heal from the effects of sexual violence.
 
Following the planned retirement of their longstanding Manager, START is seeking a General Manager to lead the organisation into its next chapter.
 
The opportunity
 
The role comes with a long legacy in an organisation well-respected and known in the sector. This is an exciting opportunity to respect and protect what has been built whilst bringing a fresh perspective, organisational and future focus to help honour what has come before and support future success and sustainability. 
 
Reporting directly to the Governance Board, the General Manager is START's most senior employed leader and holds overall responsibility for the organisation's strategy, people, services, finances, contractual performance, relationships and organisational wellbeing.
 
You will:

• provide strategic and operational leadership across START;
• lead, support and develop the Leadership Team and wider workforce;
• protect START's welcoming, supportive and trauma-informed culture;
• oversee financial performance, funding arrangements and organisational sustainability;
• ensure strong safeguarding, quality, risk, compliance and accountability systems;
• monitor / review START's systems, structures and ways of working to ensure they remain fit for the future;
• maintain and extend trusted relationships with government agencies, funders, iwi and Māori organisations, health providers and community partners;
• advance START's commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, cultural safety and equitable outcomes for Māori;
• contribute to sector and community based initiatives, reflecting START's commitment to advocating for sound sexual violence responses and services; and
• provide clear, timely and constructive advice and reporting to the Board.

The role will require strategic thinking, but it is also practical and hands-on. START is a relatively small organisation operating in a complex environment, so the General Manager must be comfortable moving between long-term direction, external relationships and the everyday realities of running the organisation.
 
About you
 
You will be an experienced senior leader who combines sound organisational judgement with empathy, resilience and strong emotional intelligence.
 
You are likely to bring:

• senior management experience within social services, health, community services or another complex and regulated environment;
• the ability to balance strategic leadership with practical operational management;
• strong people leadership skills and experience building accountability within a supportive culture;
• sound financial, contractual, risk and organisational management capability;
• experience working constructively with Boards, funders, government agencies and community partners;
• confidence representing an organisation and advocating for its purpose;
• a genuine commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and culturally responsive practice;
• the maturity to lead people through the significant transition this change of top management brings, without rushing to change everything; and
• integrity, compassion, curiosity, courage and an appropriate sense of humour.

A clinical qualification, while ideal, is not essential. You must have sufficient understanding of social services, trauma-informed practice or a comparable environment to work credibly alongside specialist practitioners and appreciate the emotional demands of their work.
 
Why START?
 
START offers the opportunity to lead an organisation with a strong reputation, an experienced specialist team, sound foundations and a Board committed to supporting its new leader.
 
You will be joining an organisation with a strong reputation for delivering important and meaningful work. This role offers the opportunity to build on this reputation, strengthen organisational systems, support the development of START's people and relationships, and help ensure that more people across Christchurch and Canterbury can access the services and support they need.
 
A planned handover with the Manager will provide valuable access to her organisational and sector knowledge, while giving the incoming General Manager the authority and space to develop their own relationships and leadership approach.
 
This is a full-time position based primarily at START's welcoming premises in Mairehau, Christchurch.
 
Apply
 
To request the Candidate Briefing Document or arrange a confidential discussion, please contact Heather Ewing on 03 265 0667, via email heather@bishopassociates.co.nz or click the "Apply" button to express your interest.
 
Applications should include a current CV and a covering letter outlining your interest in START and the leadership experience, approach and values you would bring to the role. Candidates will be considered as applications are received, and a shortlist may be formed before the closing date. Early expressions of interest are therefore encouraged.
 
Applications will be treated in strict confidence.