Operations Manager

• Broad, varied and busy role
• Opportunity to use your superb Operational Management skills
• Contribute to something really meaningful for New Zealanders

The J R McKenzie Trust is a philanthropic family trust that has been grant making in Aotearoa New Zealand since 1940. The Trust is a relational funder - with a focus on equity and social justice. It makes investments into Aotearoa with a variety of approaches and mechanisms that support initiatives that align with the vision of a socially just and inclusive Aotearoa New Zealand.

Reporting to the Executive Director, you’ll be responsible for ensuring that Trust operations run smoothly and efficiently through the effective management of finance and grant making systems and processes, Board and subcommittee functioning, payroll and HR administration, logistics and events, facilities and equipment, and general administration.

You’ll get to stamp your mark on this role and support the team by implementing operational strategies, designing, implementing and/or reviewing systems, policies and procedures, and identifying opportunities to improve the same, in order to support organisational goals and objectives.

This is a fantastic opportunity to continue to shape this role, while using your problem solving, critical thinking and highly developed communication and relationship management skills.

The work is interesting and diverse, and your role will have a strong sense of purpose and impact for the organisation. The workplace culture is collegial and supportive, and you’ll enjoy working in an outcome focused and high performing team.

They may be a small team at the Trust, but they get big things done, so they need someone who can produce high-quality work under sometimes tight deadlines. This role will suit an independent, unflappable, innovative person who is looking to work in an organisation contributing to positive change in New Zealand.

The Trust values staff wellbeing and offers five weeks' annual leave, the ability to work from home up to two days per week and an annual health and wellbeing allowance.

This is a full-time permanent position, based in the Trust’s offices on Lambton Quay (with dual access to The Terrace).  

Person Profile:

• Experience in a similar operations management position
• Tech savvy with strong skills in MS Office (including Excel), database management, financial systems (the Trust uses Xero) and a variety of online tools such as Zoom and Teams
• Demonstrates the ability to identify, implement and continually improve business processes and systems
• Ability to identify, manage and mitigate operational risk
• Effectively manage time and demonstrate a proactive and disciplined approach to planning and work prioritisation
• Well-developed written and oral communication skills with a high level of attention to detail
• Creative and innovative with a solutions driven focus on operational performance
• Strong analytical and problem solving abilities and a focus on ‘can do’
• The ability and desire to work collaboratively, flexibly, responsively and positively with a small and busy team 

To find out more about the J R McKenzie Trust, please visit https://www.jrmckenzie.org.nz/

Applications close: Sunday April 27 2025
Applications to: Please send your CV and cover letter to Kirsty McLaren via mclaren.co.nz
Position description: Available to view at mclaren.co.nz

P: 04 499 1069

W: mclaren.co.nz

View the position description by copying this link into your browser: https://mclaren.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/J-R-McKenzie-Trust-PD-Operations-Manager-3.4.25.pdf