Pou Whakahaere | Chief Operating Officer

• Newly created leadership role with autonomy and scope to make your mark
• Drive operational excellence in a kaupapa Māori organisation
• Lead people, systems and service delivery that changes lives

Mō te tūranga | About the role

Whare Āwhina is a values-led kaupapa Māori organisation delivering integrated services that support whānau across Te Tai Tokerau. Through housing, legal, and community support services, they help people access practical support with dignity, care, and mana.

They are now seeking an exceptional Pou Whakahaere | Chief Operating Officer to join their senior leadership team in this newly created role.

This is a rare opportunity for a true operations leader – someone who thrives on turning vision into action, bringing structure to complexity, and ensuring services run smoothly, effectively, and sustainably. Working in close partnership with the Tumu Whakarae | CEO, you will hold the operational space so they can remain focused on strategy, advocacy, governance, and future growth.

If you’re the type of leader who loves improving systems, building capability, solving problems, and enabling others to succeed, this could be your ideal next move.

Ngā mahi | What you’ll do

• Provide day-to-day operational leadership across housing, community law, and community support services
• Build strong systems, processes, reporting rhythms, and accountability frameworks
• Support and lead managers to deliver high-quality, whānau-centred services
• Oversee compliance, contracts, health and safety, and operational risk
• Strengthen collaboration and joined-up delivery across multiple service areas
• Translate strategy into practical operational plans and ensure execution
• Partner with the Tumu Whakarae | CEO on budgets, resourcing, organisational growth, and continuous improvement
• Create calm, clear leadership in a dynamic and fast-moving environment

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | What we’re looking for

• Senior operational leadership experience in a complex organisation
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams or services through other leaders
• Strong people leadership, coaching, and performance management capability
• Excellent systems thinking with a passion for process improvement
• Commercial and financial discipline with sound judgement
• Experience working with contracts, funders, and compliance frameworks
• Ability to balance accountability with empathy and values-led leadership
• Understanding of kaupapa Māori values and commitment to working in culturally grounded ways
• Experience in NGO, public sector, social services, or kaupapa-driven environments is highly desirable

He aha ai koe e hono mai ai? | Why join Whare Āwhina?

This is meaningful, visible work where you will see the real impact of what you do every day. You’ll join an organisation deeply connected to its community, with the opportunity to shape how services are delivered and help build a stronger future for whānau across Te Tai Tokerau.

You’ll also enjoy genuine autonomy, the chance to build capability across the organisation, and ongoing opportunities for personal and professional growth.

To find out more about Whare Āwhina, please visit their website https://www.whareawhina.org.nz/

How to apply

Send your CV and a cover letter to Kirsty McLaren by Sunday 10 May 2026. 

A position description is available on our website at mclaren.co.nz or call us on 04 499 1069.

Once applications have closed, we will commence the shortlisting process, which can take up to two weeks. We will be in touch with you regarding your application during this time.

View the position description by copying this link into your browser: https://mclaren.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/Whare-Awhina-PD-Pou-Whakahaere-COO-23.4.26.pdf