School Manager - Te Kura Toi School of Arts

Job Description:

• Strategic leadership role within Te Kura Toi School of Arts
• Competitive salary, superannuation and generous leave provisions
• Campus-based role with flexible working and wellbeing benefits

Ngā kōrero mō te tūranga – About the role

You will play a key leadership role supporting one of the University’s largest and most dynamic academic schools. Working closely with the Head of School, Dean of Faculty, senior academic leaders, and ALPSS Division colleagues, you will coordinate and oversee the School’s core administrative and management functions. This includes strategic and operational planning, financial and budget management, business continuity, facilities and space planning, computing services, human resources processes, and health and safety support.

You will also lead and develop a professional administrative team, ensuring efficient operations that enable excellence in teaching and research. This is an ideal opportunity for an experienced administrator or manager who enjoys working in a complex environment, values collaboration, and is motivated by making a meaningful impact in a future-focused university setting.

Salary will be in the range of $102,611 to $113,428 per year based on skills, knowledge and experience brought to the position. This is a full-time role (37.5 hours a week), based on our Hillcrest Campus.

For a full overview of the role responsibilities, please refer to the attached position description. For a confidential conversation about the role, please contact Acting Head of School Dr William Jennings – Te Kura Toi School of Arts via email William.jennings@waikato.ac.nz. All applications must be submitted through the online portal; emailed applications will not be accepted.

Ko wai koe? – Who are you?

To be successful in this role, you will bring many of the following skills and experiences:

• Proven experience in a complex or demanding administrative environment
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and analytical skills
• Strong digital capability and advanced computer skills
• Demonstrated experience in financial and budget management
• Familiarity with academic programmes and research activities, ideally within an arts and humanities-based environment
• Working knowledge of university or comparable organisational policies, procedures, and regulations
• Demonstrated capability in office operations and people management

You will be a proactive and self-motivated professional who works effectively as part of a team and builds positive, respectful relationships with staff and students from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

Ko wai mātou? – Who are we?

Te Kura Toi – School of Arts has a unifying commitment to the pursuit of outstanding achievement in the fields of Arts, including Design, Environmental Planning, Humanities, Music, and Media & Creative Technologies.

He aha ngā take me tono mai ai koe? – Why should you apply for this position?

We want you to be part of our success! Our University stands proudly on the world stage as a provider of future-focused, international education and an active player in global research. Our rankings reflect these strengths. Working with us means you’ll enjoy a satisfying work environment with many benefits.

The University of Waikato is distinctive for the diversity of its staff and students and encourages applicants with the relevant capabilities from all backgrounds to apply. Applicants must have the legal right to live and work in NZ in accordance with the NZ Immigration regulations which can be found here.

Ko te Tangata – For the People

The University of Waikato prides itself on the quality of its engagement with the communities that it serves, the provision of a world-class education and the national and international impact of its research. Our policies are guided by the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and equal opportunity for all.

E herea ana te Whare Wānanga ki te kaupapa kia whakaratohia te mea angitū ōrite ki ngā tāngata katoa.

Applications Close on Friday 8th May 2026

Requisition number: 1003602

Posted: 23/04/2026