Deputy General Manager - Community Operations - Northland

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Northland Operational Leadership Role
• Lead with empathy | Empower frontline teams | Support real change in our communities
• Strategic Execution | Collaborative service delivery

 Mō te tūnga | About the role

We are looking for a hands-on, people-focused leader to guide and empower our frontline teams across Northland. As Deputy General Manager – Community Operations, you will be responsible for the day-to-day operational leadership of Community Corrections services, ensuring our teams are supported to work effectively with individuals, whānau, and communities.

This role is about leading by example, removing barriers, and creating the conditions for change. You will coach and develop frontline leaders, helping them build high-performing teams that deliver safe, culturally responsive, and impactful services.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Lead and support regional teams by providing hands-on guidance, resolving operational challenges, and adapting service delivery to meet the evolving needs of Northland communities.
• Ensure safe and effective delivery of community-based sentences and orders, maintaining a strong focus on public safety and rehabilitation.
• Support seamless transitions for individuals moving between custodial and community environments, enabling integrated pathways that promote continuity of care and positive outcomes.
• Assess and respond to risk with clarity and confidence, ensuring appropriate interventions are in place to protect public safety and support meaningful change.
• Collaborate across services with custody, health, and other delivery leads to ensure joined-up, multi-disciplinary approaches that reflect the needs of individuals and their whānau.
• Allocate resources strategically across sites, coaching frontline leaders to manage their teams effectively and respond to local demands with agility and care.
• Model strong leadership that empowers frontline staff to work confidently and respectfully with whānau and communities.
• Coach and develop staff, fostering a culture of accountability, professional growth, and continous improvement.
• Drive team performance through clear expectations, regular feedback, and meaningful development opportunities that support both individual and collective success.
• Manage financial responsibilities within delegated budgets, ensuring operational delivery aligns with organisational requirements.

Mōu | About you

To be successful in this position you will need to have solid people focused leadership experience and thrive on empowering teams and building high performing teams.  As an experienced leader you will have well developed relationship management skills which are essential as the role requires significant internal, community and stakeholder engagement. 

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

• Proven management experience in a role requiring development, resource management, communication, relationship management and practical leadership skills.
• Experience in building and leading a high performing team with demonstrated experience in coaching and mentoring.
• Experience in the implementation and maintenance of processes to ensure delivery is line with legislation, policy, and procedures.
• Knowledge of the factors impacting rehabilitation and reintegration, coupled with a sound working knowledge of key agencies, both governmental and non-governmental, in the social/justice sectors.
• An understanding of the operational management practices and risks that relate to community probation, case management and bail support that Community Corrections services deliver.
• Ability to understand and articulate the issues and concerns of team members, reacting efficiently to ensure resource allocation meets needs.
• Can operate effectively in a Māori cultural setting (Te Reo, Tikanga and an understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi).
• An understanding of justice sector trends and issues and the cultural, political and social environments of Corrections service delivery. 
• Proven ability to deliver within clear standards and expectations for direct reports and manage individual performance, whilst fostering a strong team culture.

Ngā painga | The benefits

The commencement salary as per the Frontline Managers Collective is step 1 $155,682 and the full range (step 1 - 6) is $155682 - $177404.  Progression through steps 1-6 will occur annually.   

Mō mātou | About us

Join Ara Poutama Aotearoa - Department of Corrections, where your work will contribute to improving public safety, reducing re-offending, and address the overrepresentation of Māori in correctional facilities. As a values-led organisation, we use the principles of rangatira (leadership), manaaki (respect), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship), and whānau (relationships) to guide our work and achieve the goals of our Hōkai Rangi strategy.

We value inclusion and diversity in our workforce, and as a Public Service organisation we are committed to building a workforce that reflects the public we serve. We strive to make our recruitment process fair, and we encourage you to discuss reasonable accommodations with us if required.

Tono ināianei | Apply Now

To submit an application and view the position description, click the apply link. All applications must be submitted through our careers site to ensure transparency – applications received via email will not be considered.

When applying, submit a tailored CV and a cover letter describing your motivation for joining the department highlighting relevant skills and experience and the alignment to our work.

Applications close on: Sunday 13th of July, 2025

If you have any questions or want to learn more about a career with us, contact northernrec northernrecruitment@corrections.govt.nz or visit careers.corrections.govt.nz.