Operations Manager

Are you interested in leading the operations for a dynamic new arts organisation in 2012?

The New Zealand Dance Advancement Trust, the charitable trust operating the New Zealand Dance Company, seeks high quality applicants with a minimum of 2 years project and/or operations management experience for a contract position as New Zealand Dance Company’s 2012 Operations Manager.

The New Zealand Dance Company is a vibrant new arts company recently funded by Creative New Zealand for a two year programme of activity.  Our vision is to create a sustainable, permanent, high-calibre dance company, with an Auckland home that contributes to the fabric of NZ culture and is dedicated to NZ’s finest contemporary dance practitioners. 

You will report to the General Manager, Frances Turner and Executive/Artistic Director, Shona McCullagh.  Your role will be a pivotal position that instigates and implements new systems and processes, and ensures that the company operations are on track, meeting deadlines and that our processes are customer-focused, efficient and effective. 

You will make a powerful contribution to the company infrastructure by being an experienced project manager, able to juggle many activities with ease and calm, as well as helping to ensure that the many suppliers and company staff have what they need to make their own progress.

You will also contribute to the realisation of key elements of the company’s strategic plan -- particularly to grow the infrastructure for contemporary dance in Aotearoa.

Key areas of responsibility will include:

• manage company and office administration
• instigate and implement systems and processes
• manage action plan & project management
• manage recruitment process
• manage invoicing, accounts and payments processes
• administrative support for company auditions
• liaise with key suppliers and partners to help manage deadlines
• manage technology acquisition and infrastructure purchases
• manage contract process with staff, venues and other suppliers as appropriate
• communications across the many company teams and with suppliers

 Essential skills required for the role include:

• demonstrated ability to manage projects and timelines
• excellent people and management skills
• excellent administrative and organisational skills
• attention to detail
• the ability to work closely and effectively with both the management and artistic staff and other multi-disciplinary teams as required
• a passion for our vision and for developing a new arts company

Your ability to maintain calm under fire and to retain your sense of humour during the busy periods will be an asset to the company.

 This is an exciting opportunity to support the launch of a new NZ arts company and you will enjoy our collaborative, energetic and professional environment, but you will need to be an experienced Operations and/or Project Manager.

The Contract period will be from November 2011 – August 2012 with the possibility of extension.