" \u003cdiv class=\"ja-job-details\"\u003e \u003ch2 class=\"title\"\u003eGeneral Manager\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"meta\"\u003e \u003cul class=\"classifications\"\u003e \u003cli data-id=\"19345\"\u003e Executive Management \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli data-id=\"19346\"\u003e General Manager \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli data-id=\"19347\"\u003e Christchurch \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli data-id=\"19348\"\u003e Permanent / Full Time \u003c/li\u003e \u003c/ul\u003e \u003cp class=\"date-posted\"\u003e 27/10/2026 \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cul class=\"bullet-points\"\u003e \u003cli\u003ePurpose-led senior leadership opportunity with meaningful community impact\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eLead a respected specialist organisation approaching its 40th anniversary\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eHonour the proud legacy of the organisation while strengthening for the future\u003c/li\u003e \u003c/ul\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"description\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e\u0026#332;tautahi Christchurch\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003ePurpose-led senior leadership opportunity with meaningful community impact\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eLead a respected specialist organisation approaching its 40th anniversary\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eHonour the proud legacy of the organisation while strengthening it for the future\u003c/li\u003e \u003c/ul\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eUnderstand what matters. Protect it. Lead it forward.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSTART - T\u0026#299;mataia te mahu-oranga\u003c/strong\u003e is an independent Christchurch-based social service agency providing specialist support to children, young people and adults affected by sexual violence, together with their families and wh\u0026#257;nau.\u003cbr\u003e \u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003e The organisation was established in 1987 by three women who recognised a significant gap in services available to children and young people who had disclosed sexual abuse. From those beginnings, START has grown into a highly respected specialist provider of counselling, therapy, social work services, consultation and education. Its multidisciplinary team includes psychologists, psychotherapists, counsellors, therapists and registered social workers, united by the belief that people have the right to be safe and can heal from the effects of sexual violence.\u003cbr\u003e \u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003e Following the planned retirement of their longstanding Manager, START is seeking a General Manager to lead the organisation into its next chapter.\u003cbr\u003e \u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eThe opportunity\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003e The role comes with a long legacy in an organisation well-respected and known in the sector. This is an exciting opportunity to respect and protect what has been built whilst bringing a fresh perspective, organisational and future focus to help honour what has come before and support future success and sustainability.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003e \u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003e Reporting directly to the Governance Board, the General Manager is START\u0027s most senior employed leader and holds overall responsibility for the organisation\u0027s strategy, people, services, finances, contractual performance, relationships and organisational wellbeing.\u003cbr\u003e \u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003e You will:\u003cbr\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eprovide strategic and operational leadership across START;\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003elead, support and develop the Leadership Team and wider workforce;\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eprotect START\u0027s welcoming, supportive and trauma-informed culture;\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eoversee financial performance, funding arrangements and organisational sustainability;\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eensure strong safeguarding, quality, risk, compliance and accountability systems;\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003emonitor / review START\u0027s systems, structures and ways of working to ensure they remain fit for the future;\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003emaintain and extend trusted relationships with government agencies, funders, iwi and M\u0026#257;ori organisations, health providers and community partners;\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eadvance START\u0027s commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, cultural safety and equitable outcomes for M\u0026#257;ori;\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003econtribute to sector and community based initiatives, reflecting START\u0027s commitment to advocating for sound sexual violence responses and services; and\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eprovide clear, timely and constructive advice and reporting to the Board.\u003c/li\u003e \u003c/ul\u003e The role will require strategic thinking, but it is also practical and hands-on. START is a relatively small organisation operating in a complex environment, so the General Manager must be comfortable moving between long-term direction, external relationships and the everyday realities of running the organisation.\u003cbr\u003e \u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAbout you\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003e You will be an experienced senior leader who combines sound organisational judgement with empathy, resilience and strong emotional intelligence.\u003cbr\u003e \u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003e You are likely to bring:\u003cbr\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003esenior management experience within social services, health, community services or another complex and regulated environment;\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003ethe ability to balance strategic leadership with practical operational management;\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003estrong people leadership skills and experience building accountability within a supportive culture;\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003esound financial, contractual, risk and organisational management capability;\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eexperience working constructively with Boards, funders, government agencies and community partners;\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003econfidence representing an organisation and advocating for its purpose;\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003ea genuine commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and culturally responsive practice;\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003ethe maturity to lead people through the significant transition this change of top management brings, without rushing to change everything; and\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eintegrity, compassion, curiosity, courage and an appropriate sense of humour.\u003c/li\u003e \u003c/ul\u003e A clinical qualification, while ideal, is not essential. You must have sufficient understanding of social services, trauma-informed practice or a comparable environment to work credibly alongside specialist practitioners and appreciate the emotional demands of their work.\u003cbr\u003e \u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eWhy START?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003e START offers the opportunity to lead an organisation with a strong reputation, an experienced specialist team, sound foundations and a Board committed to supporting its new leader.\u003cbr\u003e \u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003e You will be joining an organisation with a strong reputation for delivering important and meaningful work. This role offers the opportunity to build on this reputation, strengthen organisational systems, support the development of START\u0027s people and relationships, and help ensure that more people across Christchurch and Canterbury can access the services and support they need.\u003cbr\u003e \u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003e A planned handover with the Manager will provide valuable access to her organisational and sector knowledge, while giving the incoming General Manager the authority and space to develop their own relationships and leadership approach.\u003cbr\u003e \u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003e This is a full-time position based primarily at START\u0027s welcoming premises in Mairehau, Christchurch.\u003cbr\u003e \u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eApply\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003e To request the Candidate Briefing Document or arrange a confidential discussion, please contact Heather Ewing on 03 265 0667, via email heather@bishopassociates.co.nz or click the \"Apply\" button to express your interest.\u003cbr\u003e \u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003e Applications should include a current CV and a covering letter outlining your interest in START and the leadership experience, approach and values you would bring to the role. Candidates will be considered as applications are received, and a shortlist may be formed before the closing date. Early expressions of interest are therefore encouraged.\u003cbr\u003e \u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003e Applications will be treated in strict confidence. \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"apply\"\u003e \u003ca class=\"back-link\" href=\"#\" title=\"Back to search results\"\u003eBack to search results\u003c/a\u003e \u003cinput type=\"button\" class=\"ja-button\" data-job-id=\"2005464\" value=\"Apply Now\" title=\"Apply Now\" /\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e "