Job Description
Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role
Mō te tūnga | About the role
The mission of the National Museum of the Royal New Zealand Navy Te Waka Huia o Te Taua Moana is to gather, protect, and share the Navy's memory and stories – past, present, and future – and to inform and inspire our sailors, our naval community and all New Zealanders.
Due to retirement, we are seeking a confident leader to lead and manage a passionate, professional team, enabling them to achieve the strategic, corporate and operational goals of the Museum. Engaging with a wide range of external stakeholders and building support to maintain a contemporary Museum is also a critical part of the role.
Working closely with the Museum's Trust Board, you will be responsible for ensuring the Museum operates strategically, efficiently, effectively and with the highest ethical standards. This includes fostering and maintaining strong, productive relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
You will also uphold a culture of continuous improvement, financial sustainability, institutional integrity and long-term viability. A key focus will be to consistently deliver a high standard of visitor experience, while maintaining a safe and secure environment.
Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and Experience
To be successful in this role, we are seeking someone with proven strategic leadership and senior management in a comparable organisation including having worked in a complex authorising environment and / or having worked with / reported to a Board.
You will be a highly motivated self- starter, confident communicator who can communicate a strong vision with an entrepreneurial spirit. Setting the strategic direction, developing and implementing new initiatives along with relationship management are key strengths of yours.
You will be an astute and politically savvy individual who has experience in delivering successful outcomes in complex stakeholder environments. The ability to bring together and influence a wide range of stakeholders both strategically and operationally will be critical.
Your proactive leadership, openness to current ways of thinking and ability to make confident, forward thinking and sustainable decisions for the museum will be highly valuable. Creating collaborative environments, empowering and motivating others, building trust and confidence within the passionate team, will be a driver for you.
Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you
Your skills and dedication deserve recognition, and NZDF delivers with competitive pay matched to your experience. But that's just the beginning – safeguard your loved ones with a fully funded life cover of up to $300,000 and critical illness protection. Other benefits include discounted additional insurances, free will services and savings schemes for the Defence community. Get expert financial guidance and mortgage broker services. Find all our benefits and more on the Force 4 Families website.
NZDF champions diversity and inclusivity, valuing every member and fuelling their success. We embrace uniqueness, understanding that diverse teams drive creativity, innovation, and excellence. With an open door to all – irrespective of gender, ethnicity, ability, age, or family dynamics – NZDF offers a flexible, empowering work environment. Join us in shaping a brighter future, where everyone thrives.
Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to Apply
Applications close on Thursday 21 August 2025.
Use the links on this page where you'll be directed to the Defence Careers website.
Please Note:
- All applications must be made online, via the Defence Careers website. Each listing contains the Position Description and a Contact Us option for any queries or technical issues.
- Your cover letter will be a key part of our selection process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key activities outlined in the Advert and Position Description.
- Applicants will be required to undergo a pre-employment drug-screening test prior to any offer of employment being made.
NZDF Employees/Members – please apply internally via the HR Toolkit; this will ensure that you are visible as an internal candidate.
NZDF Contractors – please apply via the Defence Careers website.
NZDF Reserves – please apply via the Defence Careers website if you cannot access the HR Toolkit.
Please Note:
To be eligible for the required level of government security clearance with the NZ Defence Force, you need to meet certain citizenship and residency criteria. Here's what you need to know:
Higher Level Security Clearance
- You must be a New Zealand citizen or you must hold New Zealand Permanent Residence or have a current New Zealand Residency Class Visa.
- At minimum, you must hold New Zealand Permanent Residence or have a current New Zealand Residency Class Visa, and you must be a citizen of and have lived in Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, United States of America or New Zealand continuously for the last ten (10) years.
- You must have a ten (10) year background history that can be verified and assessed appropriately by the NZ Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) to determine if you are suitable for a security clearance at this level.
If you do not meet the minimum criteria, unfortunately, your application will not be accepted. We do welcome your application at a time when you will meet the requirements.