Team Leader Heritage Operations

Help shape Nelson’s future. Lead with expertise. Make a difference. We’re looking for an experienced people leader who can bring together teams, volunteers and partners to deliver outstanding heritage experiences across Nelson.

Shaping our future | Kōmiria te anamata

Our vision for Whakatū Nelson is a creative, prosperous and innovative city. Our community is inclusive, resilient, and connected – we care for each other and our environment.

Nelson City Council is undertaking one of the most significant local government transformations in New Zealand. Through Shaping Our Future, we’re organising ourselves around the people and communities we serve, getting clearer about who does what, and investing in the capability we need for the years ahead. That includes customer experience, data and digital, asset planning, economic development, and contract and programme delivery, to name just a few. We’re also working more closely with iwi, neighbouring councils and other partners to deliver better outcomes for Whakatū Nelson. Our new structure is in place, and we’re now recruiting for the roles that will bring it to life.

This isn’t a one-off change. It’s the foundation for a council that keeps improving, and we’d love you to help build it.

About the role | Kō tēnei tūranga mahi

A great opportunity for an experienced operational leader to lead the delivery of Founders Heritage Park and Council’s heritage facilities, including Broadgreen House and Isel House. You’ll provide clear, coordinated leadership across the heritage network, ensuring high-quality visitor experiences, effective programmes and events, strong community engagement and safe, efficient day-to-day operations.

You Will

• Lead day-to-day operations across Founders Heritage Park, Broadgreen House and Isel House, maintaining consistent service standards and effective coordination across the three sites.
• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary team across customer experience, heritage support and community-facing functions.
• Set and maintain high standards for accessible, engaging visitor experiences and front-of-house services.
• Oversee the operational delivery of exhibitions, heritage programmes, events and public activities
• Coordinate tenants, contractors, venue users and community activities across shared heritage spaces.
• Provide operational oversight of the volunteer programme, supporting a healthy, sustainable and valued volunteer base
• Build effective relationships with volunteers, community groups, visitors, tenants, iwi and other key stakeholders.
• Support operational planning, budgeting, reporting, health and safety compliance and continuous improvement.
• Coordinate facilities requirements to help ensure buildings, grounds, exhibits and infrastructure are safe, well maintained and fit for purpose.

About you | Ko ngā pūmanawa ō

You’ll be an experienced and people-centred operational leader who can create clarity, bring people together and keep services running smoothly across multiple sites. You’ll be comfortable balancing visitor experience, community relationships, events and programmes, facilities requirements and responsible resource management.

You’ll Bring

• Proven operational leadership or management experience, ideally gained in a visitor attraction, museum, heritage, arts, events, hospitality or public venue environment.
• Experience managing day-to-day operations across multiple sites and maintaining consistent service standards.
• Strong people leadership experience, with the ability to foster a positive culture and develop customer-facing teams across different functions and locations.
• Experience coordinating venue operations, programmes, events, tenants, contractors, volunteers and community activities.
• Experience managing budgets, planning and resources to support operational goals
• Sound knowledge of health and safety requirements and risk management in public environments.
• Strong relationship-building and collaboration skills, including experience working with volunteers, community groups, tenants, iwi and other stakeholders.
• A relevant tertiary qualification in management, business, arts administration, heritage, museum studies, tourism, hospitality or a related discipline, or equivalent demonstrated experience in a comparable operational leadership role.

What we offer | Ko ngā painga mōu

• Wellbeing leave, platforms and initiatives
• A fully subsidised health insurance scheme
• A flexible workplace including hybrid working arrangements to support work-life balance
• Generous leave provisions
• Learning and professional development opportunities
• Access to various employee benefits and discounts
• Opportunities to contribute to meaningful projects that shape our community's wellbeing and future
• Mountains, beaches and national parks at your doorstep

At Nelson City Council, we are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where everyone feels safe, valued, and has a true sense of belonging. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those from diverse ethnicities and cultures, LGBTQ+ communities, neurodivergent individuals, and people with disabilities. If you require any assistance with your application, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Applications close | Rā whakakapi

Monday 27 October 2026

For further enquiries | Ina he pātai anō, whakapā mai

Please reach out to Mark Preston-Thomas via Mark.Preston-Thomas@ncc.govt.nz