Team Leader

• 40 hours/week, Monday to Friday, 8am–4:30pm

• Extra annual leave, wellbeing days, health perks and school holiday subsidies

• Lead a Housing First team making homelessness in Tauranga rare, brief, and non-recurring

We’re looking for a Team Leader who brings sound judgement, steady leadership, and a genuine commitment to the people we work alongside.

Summary

At The People’s Project, our work continues to evolve as we strengthen how Housing First is applied in Aotearoa New Zealand. Our Tauranga team works alongside people experiencing homelessness through relationship-centred practice, consistency, strong system navigation, and a focus on sustainable housing outcomes.

If you’re an experienced leader who can coach, support and challenge a team doing complex work, and stay steady under pressure, this could be the role for you.

Who we are | Mō mātou

The People’s Project is Aotearoa New Zealand’s first large-scale Housing First provider. Since 2014 we have worked in Hamilton and Tauranga, partnering with people to end their experience of homelessness. Guided by Housing First, we support people into housing quickly. We then walk alongside them to build the foundations for sustained wellbeing.

We are a committed team working alongside landlords, health services, and community to create lasting change.

We value diversity and are committed to an inclusive environment where people are respected, safe, and able to be themselves. This includes cultural identity, lived experience, and diversity in all its forms.

The opportunity | Mō tēnei tūranga mahi

As Team Leader, you’ll lead a team of around six Case Managers in Tauranga, reporting to the Tauranga Manager. Your team supports people into permanent homes, connects them with services in the community, and provides wraparound support for as long as it’s needed.

This is a permanent role, 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 8am–4:30pm, based in Tauranga. The role aligns with the Social Worker pay equity spine and is expected to start in early to mid-January 2027.

What you’ll do | Ō mahi

• Lead, coach and support your team to deliver high-quality Housing First practice

• Help each team member set and reach their professional development goals

• Support your team’s wellbeing and keep practice safe, consistent and well boundaried

• Build strong relationships with landlords, Kāinga Ora, health providers and social services

• Work across systems to remove barriers and advocate for equitable outcomes

• Share our knowledge and skills with the community to help end homelessness

• Celebrate success and keep the team focused on what’s working

What we offer | Ā mātou ratonga

• Increased KiwiSaver contributions

• Fifth week of annual leave after 12 months

• Two paid wellbeing days per year

• $250 HealthNow card for you and your whānau

• Subsidies for school holiday programmes

• A wide range of discounts through our employee discounts app

• Discounted medical insurance plans and a range of other staff benefits

About you | Mōu

Leadership comes naturally to you. You bring professional warmth, sound judgement and clear boundaries, and you lead by example under pressure. Coaching people and helping them grow gives you a real sense of purpose.

You value diversity, inclusion and culturally responsive practice. You understand the importance of working in ways that uphold equity and mana.

You’ll also bring:

• proven experience leading a team effectively

• knowledge of the Bay of Plenty health, NGO and community sector

• a relevant qualification in health, social services, management or a related field (significant experience will be considered)

• experience applying the principles of wellness and recovery

• good physical fitness

• a current full and clean New Zealand driver licence

At The People’s Project, we believe everyone deserves a place to call home and a sense of belonging. Our mahi is grounded in mana, equity, and walking alongside people without judgement. We are looking for people who genuinely connect with this kaupapa.

The People’s Project is part of The Wise Group. For more information, visit www.wisegroup.co.nz and thepeoplesproject.org.nz.

Position description: https://www.wisegroup.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/TPP_Team-Leader.pdf

Closing date: Sunday 22 November 2026. We’ll be reviewing applications and may interview as they come in, so we encourage you to apply early.

Contact: Please contact Wendy Grant, Hiring Manager, on 027 210 7121 or wendy.grant@thepeoplesproject.org.nz if you have any questions.

All new appointees require background checking. Under the requirements of the Children’s Act 2014, new employees who are identified as coming under this Act must undergo further safety checks as part of the recruitment process. Note: The Criminal History Check is exempt from the Clean Slate Act, so the Clean Slate Act does not apply to this position. Please declare any offences (even those older than 7 years) in your application.