Business Operations Manager

Make a genuine difference while bringing your commercial, operational and leadership expertise to an organisation with purpose.

Wellington Sexual Abuse HELP Foundation (Wellington HELP) provides wrap-around support for survivors of sexual harm, helping people move from surviving to thriving. Its services include a 24-hour support line, social work, court support and counselling across Wellington, Porirua and the Kāpiti Coast.

On behalf of Wellington HELP we are seeking an experienced and commercially astute Business Operations Manager to join HELP's Leadership Team and work closely with the Chief Executive.

This is a broad and influential position for someone who enjoys combining business operations, financial oversight, people leadership, funding and business development with the opportunity to contribute to organisational strategy.

The opportunity

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, you will take responsibility for the effective delivery of HELP's operational services and play an important role in ensuring the organisation remains financially sustainable and well positioned for the future.

You will provide operational and strategic support to the Chief Executive, lead the Operations function and oversee areas including finance, systems, IT, quality, data and information.

A particularly important part of the position will be supporting HELP's ongoing financial sustainability. You will work alongside the Chief Executive and wider leadership team to strengthen existing funding relationships, secure grants and contracts, identify new revenue opportunities and develop relationships across government, corporate and philanthropic organisations.

This is not simply an administration role. You will have the opportunity to influence how the organisation operates and contribute directly to its future direction.

What you will be responsible for

Your responsibilities will include:

• providing operational, financial and business support to the Chief Executive;
• contributing to organisational strategy, financial planning and business planning;
• leading and developing members of the Operations team;
• overseeing the finance function and ensuring quality financial information is available to support decision-making;
• developing and maintaining relationships with key funding agencies and service providers;
• supporting grant applications, contract renewals and fundraising initiatives;
• identifying and developing new revenue streams and business-development opportunities;
• building relationships with government, corporate and philanthropic partners;
• overseeing business systems, IT resources, policies and processes;
• supporting quality, accreditation, data and organisational reporting;
• overseeing operational requirements across HELP's Wellington, Porirua and Kāpiti offices; and
• driving continuous improvement across the organisation.

About you

We are looking for an experienced manager who can operate strategically while remaining comfortable working across the practical requirements of a relatively small, purpose-driven organisation.

Ideally, you will bring 5–10 years' management experience together with demonstrated exposure to fundraising, grants and business development. Experience within the not-for-profit or community sector would be particularly valuable.

You will also bring:

• strong business and operational management capability;
• a broad understanding of financial processes and systems;
• demonstrated success developing funding or revenue opportunities;
• strong stakeholder and relationship-management skills;
• the ability to build trusted relationships across government, business and philanthropic communities;
• excellent written and verbal communication;
• confidence working with systems, data and technology;
• sound judgement, discretion and an understanding of confidentiality;
• strong organisational and self-management skills; and
• an inclusive, collaborative and empathetic leadership style.

Just as importantly, you will be someone who genuinely connects with HELP's purpose and values. You will understand the importance of working sensitively and respectfully within an organisation supporting people who have experienced trauma and sexual harm.

Why consider Wellington HELP?

This is an opportunity to bring your professional and commercial experience into an organisation where the work has genuine social impact.

You'll work directly with the Chief Executive, have a voice within the Leadership Team and be able to influence financial sustainability, organisational capability and the way HELP develops for the future.

The position is Wellington based and 37.5 hours per week, providing the opportunity to combine a meaningful senior leadership role with a positive work/life balance.

If you are an experienced operational leader looking for a role where commercial thinking and social purpose come together, we'd welcome your application.

Apply now with your CV and a covering letter outlining what attracts you to Wellington HELP and the experience you would bring to the role.