"Research Centre Administrator"

Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies

Te Kaupeka Toi Tangata | Faculty of Arts

Located in Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa | New Zealand

• 5 weeks annual leave +5 days university holidays
• Generous superannuation provisions (up to 6.75% employer contribution)
• Salary $72,000 p.a, based on skills and experience
• Permanent / 37.5 hours per week

Kia hiwa rā, kia hiwa rā!

He hiahia, he pūkenga nōu ki te mahi a te Research Centre Administrator? Nāia te pōwhiri nā Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha kia tono mai i te tūranga nei.

Āu Mahi | What You Will Do

We are seeking an organised and proactive Research Centre Administrator to support the day-to-day operations of the Macmillan Brown Centre (MBC) and the National Centre for Research on Europe (NCRE). This role plays a key part in ensuring research activities, events, and academic programmes run smoothly while providing high-quality support to academic staff, students and other stakeholders.

As a key front-facing presence, you will provide a welcoming and responsive service to staff, students, visitors and external partners. You will manage enquiries, coordinating events, supporting financial administration including grants, and maintaining organised information and records systems that support effective collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Mōu | Who You Are

To be successful in this role you will be able to demonstrate experience in:

• A minimum of 4 – 5 years’ experience in an administration, professional and/or research support role within a medium to large organisation, including experience in data processing, organisation and publication support
• Proven ability to work independently while building positive relationships in a front-facing service role
• Strong practical experience using Microsoft 365 tools including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams
• Proven experience maintaining databases, records systems, or information repositories with high accuracy
• Excellent organisational skills including the ability to manage competing demands and work effectively with a diverse range of people
• An alignment with our organisation's values and culture, promoting a positive and inclusive work environment.

We are looking for someone who is comfortable developing new technical skills, both independently and through formal training. The role requires learning how to navigate many digital tools and platforms that may change over time, covering tasks such as:

• Budget tracking using SharePoint and Excel
• Updating web content in Adobe Experience Manager
• Issuing employment contracts through an online portal
• Course administration in systems like Jade, Ako | Learn, TimeEdit and many more.

Mahi Ngātahi | Who You Will Work With

You will work closely with the Directors of the Macmillan Brown Centre and the National Centre for Research on Europe, alongside academic staff, researchers, doctoral students, and professional staff across the Faculty of Arts. You will also engage regularly with visiting scholars, external partners, and colleagues across the University’s service teams, helping ensure research activities, events, and centre operations run smoothly.

Ngā Painga o UC | Why UC

At UC, being part of our team means more than just a job. We are committed to supporting our kaimahi | staff’s career and wellbeing with benefits designed to help our kaimahi grow and feel connected, supported and valued. 

UC’s Benefits approach is shaped by Ngā Uara | Our Values Whanaungatanga, Tiakitanga, and Manaakitanga. They are designed to be relevant, support and inspire our people, they include:

• 5 weeks annual leave +5 days university holidays
• UC Parental Leave (up to 9 weeks paid) + 26 weeks Government paid parental leave and onsite childcare facility
• generous employer contribution to superannuation (up to 6.75%)
• flexible working arrangements
• professional development and study opportunities
• supportive working environment
• a wide range of retail discounts across shopping, entertainment and travel
• on-campus staff discounts including UC RecCentre
• living in revitalised Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand
• a unique working environment in a beautiful campus with access to UC facilities such as UC RecCentre and Staff Club at discounted rates plus onsite cafés and eateries, and more.

For more information, please visit us: https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/about-uc/work-at-uc/benefits-working-uc

For more information about Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury, please visit https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/

The closing date for this position is: 1 April 2026 (midnight, NZ time)

_Please note, applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may take place before the close date._

Pēhea te tono mai | How You Apply

Applications for this position must be submitted via our careers website and should include a cover letter and resume.

Please note, we do not accept applications by email, however we are happy to answer your queries in relation to the application process, please forward these to WorkatUC@canterbury.ac.nz

You must have Aotearoa New Zealand or Australian citizenship/permanent residency to be considered for this role.