General Manager of Operations

Permanent, Full-Time (40 hours per week)

Based primarily in the North Shore and Rodney, with support for growth into Northland

About Ember Korowai Takitini

Ember Korowai Takitini delivers innovative, person-centered services for people experiencing mental distress, addiction challenges, and intellectual disabilities. We support people to live the lives they choose and actively challenge systems that create barriers to wellbeing.

We are committed to growing our own leaders and investing in our people. Ember is an equal opportunity employer and proudly embraces diversity and inclusion. We strive to provide a safe, respectful, and supportive workplace for all.

Why Join Ember?

At Ember, we value the wellbeing and development of our people. We offer:

• Additional leave, including Recreation Days and Study Leave

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

• Ongoing learning and development opportunities, supporting personal growth, leadership capability, and career progression

The Role | Ngā Mahi

We are seeking a visionary and values-led General Manager of Operations to join Ember’s Senior Leadership Team. This role provides strategic and operational leadership across our North Shore and Rodney mental health and addictions services, while also supporting business development into Northland.

Ember is grounded in leadership informed by lived experience. We strongly encourage applications from people who have personal experience of mental health or addiction services.

We are also on an intentional journey in Te Ao Māori, strengthening how we embed kaupapa Māori authentically across our organisation. Experience working alongside or within kaupapa Māori frameworks or strongly bicultural environments will therefore be highly valued.

This role will suit a courageous, forward-thinking leader who brings fresh ideas and a transformational approach to workforce and service delivery. You will provide strong leadership and development to our peer support teams, manage complex contracts and budgets, and build trusted relationships across the NGO and health sectors.

We are focused on genuinely shifting the needle on mental health and addiction outcomes. You will bring the mana, energy, and aspiration to lead adaptive change and make a meaningful impact.

In return, we offer you the platform to bring your vision to life, while continuing to develop your leadership capability within a supportive, values-driven organisation.

The Skills You'll Bring | Ngā Pūkenga

You will bring:

• A Bachelor’s degree or relevant tertiary qualification (registration as a health professional is desirable)

• At least 5 years’ management experience, including 3+ years in a senior leadership role, ideally within mental health and addictions

• Proven success delivering key initiatives, managing contracts, and overseeing operational and financial performance

• Demonstrated ability to operate at a senior level, providing strategic advice with sound judgement and intellectual flexibility

• Well-established relationships and credibility within the health and NGO sectors

• Financial literacy, including budget oversight and performance monitoring

• Experience in monitoring, evaluating, and analysing service outcomes

• An understanding of cross-cultural practice, including tikanga Māori and Pacific peoples’ cultures

• Excellent written and verbal communication and report-writing skills, with the ability to adapt to diverse audiences

• Strong organisational skills, sound judgement, and a practical, solutions-focused mindset

• Curiosity, resilience, and a genuine “can-do” attitude

Additional requirements:

• Full NZ Driver’s Licence

• Current NZ work rights (citizenship, residency, or valid work visa)

Lived experience of mental health or addiction challenges is a strong advantage.

How to Apply | Kia Whakauru

Please submit:

1. An up-to-date CV, and

2. A cover letter outlining:

a. Why you are interested in this role

b. The skills, competencies, and experience you bring

You may also wish to reflect on the whakataukī:

“He aha te mea nui o te ao?

Māku e kī atu, he tangata, he tangata, he tangata.”

What is the most important thing in the world?

It is people, it is people, it is people.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may be conducted prior to the closing date. The role may be filled early if a suitable candidate is identified.