• Permanent, Full-time (40 hours per week)

• Service operates Monday – Sunday with a rotating roster

• Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience and qualifications

He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.

What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.

About Ember | Ember

Ember values our people – they’re our secret sauce. We are committed to doing our best for our kaimahi and recognising the irreplaceable skills, knowledge, and lived experience they bring. We offer meaningful work, strong professional support, and an environment where people can grow, lead, and thrive.

Ember Korowai Takitini are leaders in the Peer & Lived Experience mental health and addiction sector. Our services are grounded in compassion, mana enhancing practice, and the belief that recovery, hope, and wellbeing are possible for everyone. We blend professional expertise with lived experience to support people experiencing mental distress, addiction, or intellectual disability in ways that honour dignity, choice, and connection.

What We Offer | Ngā Painga

We offer a comprehensive and attractive employment package, including:

• Additional leave, including recreation days and study leave

• A comprehensive Health & Wellbeing programme, including flu vaccinations, Extraordinary card and Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

• Ongoing professional development, training, and workshops

• Regular peer coaching and supervision

• A supportive, inclusive workplace that values balance, reflection, and growth

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

• Comprehensive service induction

• Laptop and phone for work purposes

The Service | Te Piringa Āhuru

The Peer Support Hub offers an alternative to emergency departments, providing a calm, welcoming, and non judgemental space for people experiencing distress. The service is grounded in a mana enhancing, trauma informed, person led, and culturally responsive approach.

This is a unique opportunity to lead a committed peer workforce and help shape an innovative, community based service that offers genuine alternatives to crisis pathways.

The Role | Ngā Mahi

As Team Manager – Peer Support Hub, you will provide experienced, values based leadership to a multidisciplinary peer led team delivering high quality support to tangata whaiora and whānau.

This role is suited to an experienced people leader (minimum 4 years’ management experience) who brings strong relational leadership, a deep understanding of recovery focused practice, and confidence navigating complexity in community and mental health settings.

You will balance operational leadership with people leadership, holding responsibility for team wellbeing, safe practice, service quality, and strong system relationships — while staying firmly grounded in Ember’s kaupapa and peer led values.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading, mentoring, and supporting a team of peer support workers through reflective, compassionate, and accountable leadership

• Creating and maintaining a calm, safe, and welcoming environment where people can access support without judgement

• Supporting reflective practice and fostering a culture of wellbeing, learning, shared leadership, and mutuality

• Building strong relationships with tangata whaiora, whānau, community services, and local health networks

• Holding operational and people related risk, including rostering across a 7 day service and responding to incidents with care and confidence

• Managing day to day operations, reporting, and compliance while remaining true to the kaupapa and intent of peer led practice

• Contributing to continuous service improvement and the evolution of the Peer Support Hub

You Will Have | Ngā Pūkenga

• At least 4 years’ experience in a people management or service leadership role, ideally within mental health, addiction, peer led, or community services

• A current practising certificate in one of the following (or equivalent leadership experience):

Occupational Therapy, DAPAANZ, Counselling, Social Work, Nursing

OR significant leadership experience in mental health, addiction, or peer led services

• A deep understanding of person led, recovery focused, and trauma informed practice

• A strong commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, equity, and culturally safe care

• Confidence holding complexity, supporting others in distress, and leading with compassion and clarity

• Lived experience of mental distress, addiction, or recovery, valued as a leadership strength that informs how you lead, make decisions, and shape service culture

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust across diverse communities

• Excellent organisational and time management skills

• Ability to manage confidential information with sensitivity and maintain professional boundaries

• Competent computer skills for documentation and reporting

• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing personal and professional growth

• Full NZ Driver’s Licence

• Valid NZ work visa, residency, or citizenship

Don’t meet every single requirement? We still encourage you to apply — you may be exactly the right person for this role.

Who This Role Is For

This role may be right for you if you:

• Are an experienced leader who values people as much as systems

• Lead with lived experience, reflection, and integrity

• Believe peer led practice belongs at the heart of service delivery and leadership

• Are comfortable holding complexity while keeping mana, dignity, and hope front and centre

When applying please provide | Kia Whakauru

• An up-to-date CV

• A Cover Letter detailing:

o Why you’re interested in the role

o What leadership skills, competencies and experience you would bring to the role

We will interview candidates as applications are received and may appoint before the closing date if a suitable candidate is identified.

Diversity & Inclusion

Ember is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and embrace diversity and are committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive workplace. We particularly welcome applications from Māori, Pacific, and Rainbow communities.