Event and Operations Manager

About this role

Job Description

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Event and Operations Manager (Engagement and Protocol) to lead the delivery of high‑profile, strategically significant events across the University’s portfolios. This role works closely with senior leaders and key stakeholders of strategic importance, particularly supporting the Office of the Vice‑Chancellor and Alumni Relations and Development (ARD).

Reporting to the Event Services Manager with embedded responsibilities to ARD, you will provide strategic leadership across a diverse portfolio of donor and alumni, protocol and flagship events, ensuring excellence in planning, delivery and stakeholder experience. You will lead and develop a high‑performing team of four, setting clear direction, fostering capability, and embedding best‑practice event management aligned to institutional priorities and processes.

This position requires strong event strategy capability, the confidence to operate at a senior level, and the ability to build trusted relationships with executive stakeholders, and partners. It is important that you are equally comfortable with strategic planning, event logistics and overseeing budgets as you are with bringing innovation and creativity to the event programme. Over the next 24 months, a key focus of this role will be contributing to an upcoming philanthropic campaign, including the delivery of large‑scale, high‑profile events in New Zealand and overseas that support advancement, reputation and philanthropic objectives.

If you are a senior events leader who thrives at the intersection of strategic relationship management, creative event design and high-stakes delivery, and you want your work to contribute to the success and impact one of world’s top 100 universities, we would love to hear from you.

This is a permanent, full-time position (37.5 hours per week). The salary range for this role is $98,000 to $110,000, negotiable depending o...