Service Manager - Tamariki
Please note: While Hōhepa Hawke's Bay is accredited to employ staff on an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), we are unable to provide visa support for this position.
E pā ana ki a tātou | About Us
At Hōhepa Hawkes Bay, our team is passionate about working alongside the people we support to live life to the fullest. Our Tamariki (Children’s) Service is part of a wider Hōhepa community that values inclusion, creativity, and the dignity of every individual. At the heart of what we do is the belief that every person has something unique to offer the world. You’ll be part of a team that walks alongside people as they grow, thrive, and realise their potential.
Our inclusive community offers education, care and meaningful work –Inspired by the principles of inclusive social development, our vision, He oranga tū, Hei oranga waiora – every life fully lived, reflects our deep commitment to nurturing wellbeing, belonging, and purpose - together.
Ngā taonga kei roto i tōu kete mātauranga | What You Bring
We are looking for an experienced and values-led Service Manager who will champion the rights, voice and wellbeing of tamariki.
This is a significant leadership role with responsibility for the quality, safety and day-to-day delivery of Hōhepa’s Tamariki Service. You will lead and support House Managers, Team Leaders and frontline teams to create nurturing, consistent and safe home environments where tamariki can form meaningful relationships, build confidence, exercise choice and experience a strong sense of identity and belonging.
Working closely with tamariki, whānau, advocates, Hōhepa School, health and specialist professionals, Oranga Tamariki, government agencies and the wider community, you will ensure that each child’s aspirations, rights, safety and quality of life remain at the centre of decision-making.
You will bring:
- Demonstrated leadership and management experience in services supporting tamariki, preferably within disability support, residential or shared care, social services, special education, social work, psychology or a related field.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary teams that support tamariki with high and complex needs.
- Strong knowledge of children’s rights, safeguarding, supported decision-making and trauma-informed practice.
- An understanding of the disability sector, Ngā Paerewa Health and Disability Services Standard, Oranga Tamariki Shared Care requirements and other relevant regulatory and accreditation obligations.
- Strong operational leadership skills, including people management, service quality, incident response, risk management and continuous improvement.
- The ability to coach, mentor and hold leaders and teams accountable while building a positive, reflective and collaborative culture.
- A proven ability to build trusted partnerships with tamariki, whānau, advocates, schools, professionals, funders and government agencies.
- A commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and to culturally responsive partnerships with Māori and Pasifika tamariki, whānau and communities.
- An understanding of Enabling Good Lives principles and a willingness to learn, embrace and apply Hōhepa’s approach to Inclusive Social Development.
- A track record of responding effectively to changing needs, complex situations and emerging challenges.
- A leadership style grounded in integrity, empathy, courage and respect.
If you are a collaborative and courageous leader with strong people and operational leadership skills, and a commitment to enabling tamariki to live safe, meaningful and fulfilling lives, we would love to hear from you.
In your cover letter please outline your leadership approach and understanding of this within the disability sector.
Don't wait to apply. We'll be reviewing applications as they come in and will withdraw the advertisement once we've found the right person to join our team.
Curious? want to know more? Contact our Recruitment Manager at 027 265 4697
Please note that a 90-day trial period may apply to successful applicants who have not previously worked for Hōhepa Hawke's Bay.
We assess applications based on the candidate's own skills and communication abilities. Where AI or translation tools have been used extensively, applicants may be asked to demonstrate their experience and suitability through other stages of the recruitment process.