"Manager - Operations Support"

Job Description:

• Critical new faculty leadership role
• Lead coordinated approaches for managing executive support with people leadership, operational coordination and quality assurance across a team of professional staff
• Drive system and process improvements to ensure effective administrative, project, events and communications support for the Faculty
• Permanent, full-time role based on AUT’s North Campus.

Auckland University of Technology (AUT) is bold and unapologetically different, centred on students and grounded in Knowledge that Works driven by talented, progressive people. We are New Zealand’s newest university, ranked 5-stars by QS Universities 2025 and a place of opportunity where more than 26,000 students with talent and potential succeed, supported by a community of more than 4,000 staff based primarily across three Auckland campuses. Built on collaboration, shared purpose and the values of Pono (fact, truth, reality, integrity), Tika (acting accordingly, doing what is needed, ethical expression), and Aroha (empathy, care, compassion). AUT offers an innovative, forward-thinking environment where committed people work together to improve outcomes for students, communities, and the world.

AUT recognises the importance of Te Tiriti, Māori and Pacific knowledge, leadership, and contribution across our university and is committed to creating environments where these communities can thrive. We embrace diversity in all its forms and are proud to welcome people of all ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, religious and political beliefs, socio-economic situations and accessibility needs.

The Opportunity | Te Whiwhinga mahi

We have a permanent, full-time opportunity for an experienced professional to join AUT’s Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences - as Manager - Operations Support , based at AUT’s North Shore campus.

Our Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences/Te Ara Hauora Pūtaiao (FHES) makes a critical contribution to addressing the health and wellbeing for people and planet. Te Tiriti o Waitangi is at the heart of what we do. The faculty is committed to enhancing student equity of outcomes across our programs and to lead the transformation of health professional education for the benefit of the health system and communities in Aotearoa New Zealand. It is AUT's largest faculty with 10,000 students (7,000 EFTS) and over 600 deeply committed Faculty staff, who are focused on strengthening and enhancing the student experience and contributing meaningful high-quality knowledge advancement and research in Health and Environmental Sciences.

In this newly established role, you will be part of a new professional staff team structure. This role is responsible for ensuring high-quality, coordinated, and reliable executive support for the Dean and senior faculty staff while also leading a critical faculty operations support function.

Reporting to the Director - Faculty Operations this role is responsible for the running of the Dean’s Office, strengthening consistency and professionalism in executive, events, and communications support, and enabling senior leaders to focus on strategic leadership and decision-making. The role combines trusted executive support with people leadership, operational coordination, and quality assurance across a team of professional staff who provide administrative, project, events, and communications support to the Faculty.

Key focus areas include:

• Executive support and coordination of the Dean’s Office, ensuring smooth workflows, prioritisation, correspondence management, meeting preparation, and high-quality executive support
• Leadership and management of the Operations Support team, including PAs, project coordinators, events and communications roles, with a focus on capability building, work allocation, and team culture
• Oversight of faculty events, communications, and project coordination, ensuring planning, prioritisation, risk management, alignment with faculty priorities, and consistent standards.
• Operational coordination and continuous improvement, strengthening processes, reducing inefficiencies, documenting workflows, and improving clarity around support functions
• People leadership, including performance expectations, coaching and development

About you | Ko wai koe

If you’re the kind of person who isn’t afraid to try new things, explore bold ideas and inject real energy and passion into the entire university experience - you’ll fit right in.

This is a unique opportunity to collaboratively contribute to shaping new ways of working to deliver essential professional services, and contribute to the success of a dynamic, future-focused faculty.

If you are a professional with a passion for providing senior support and operational management to senior leadership we’d welcome your application.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Significant experience in providing executive support to senior leaders in complex organisations and leading and managing professional staff teams
• Strong organisational and coordination skills and the drive to lead system and process change.
• Ability to contribute effectively within diverse teams in a dynamic, collaborative working environment.
• A relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent professional experience.
• Understanding of governance, committee processes, and executive decision-making contexts.
• A commitment to equity, diversity and Supportive of AUT’s Te Aronui journey (https://www.aut.ac.nz/about/maori/auts-commitment-to-Te-Tiriti-o-Waitangi).

As a professional member of staff at AUT, you’ll help keep us moving forward. From improving our services and streamlining our systems to supporting the administrative and operational experiences of the Faculty’s senior leadership staff across our campuses. By working collaboratively, solving problems and driving practical improvements, you’ll play a vital role in helping us operate smoothly, raise our profile, and evolve what we do, every day.

You will bring an open, engaging, and collaborative approach, with the flexibility to respond to changing requirements, and actively contribute to a positive and collegial environment. You will demonstrate cultural humility, awareness, and respect when engaging with indigenous peoples and culturally diverse communities. Experience supporting indigenous, equity, or inclusion focused initiatives is highly desirable.

What we offer | Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou

At AUT, you’ll be part of a values-led university that supports you to thrive in your role and career. We offer:

• Flexible working and a strong, caring culture that supports belonging.
• Recognition frameworks that reflect your contribution and how you live our values.
• The tools and trust to make a meaningful difference every day.
• Māori and Pacific development programmes that strengthen our shared purpose.
• Cultural capability uplift development programmes for all staff
• Professional development and funded study pathways to keep you moving forward.
• Free gym membership.

How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono

Along with your CV - please ensure to submit a cover letter which a) explains why this role (and AUT) is of interest, and b) addresses how you feel you meet some, or all, of the key criteria listed above.

Please feel free to add any further comments you feel may also support your application. All applications must be submitted through the online application process.

Further Information | Pārongo Anō

• Start Date: As soon as possible (to be agreed with the appointee)
• Salary Ranges | Ngā Utu: $93,900 - $114,000 per annum (dependent on experience and qualifications)
• For further information: please send us an enquiry hereor call 09 921 9499.

Closing Date | Te rā aukati: 6 April 2026 11:55pm

Job Reference | Tohutoro Mahi: 95134

*Full-time denotes 37.5 hours per week