Chief Executive Officer

The R. Tucker Thompson Sail Training Trust invites applications from candidates interested in delivering our kaupapa Learning for Life Through the Sea.

We encourage applications from experienced general managers with an interest in youth development, operational excellence and the future of Te Tai Tokerau. To lead the next phase of delivery we require an empathetic leader with astute commercial management and a motivation to drive tourism and donor revenue.

This role will provide a driven and passionate individual with a multifaceted project that entails delivering Qualmark Gold standard tourism products, a youth programme that consistently produces life changing results, and maintaining a commercial and traditional vessel in maritime NZ survey. The new leader will have a keen interest in helping people to thrive in their work, Te Āo Māori and they will thrive in a dynamic and unique working environment.

About the kaupapa

The R. Tucker Thompson is Northland’s own tall ship. It is held in a Charitable Trust and based in Opua. During winter we take rangatahi youth on 7-day youth development voyages and in summer we offer day sails for visitors to Northland. The ship is a traditional gaff-rigged top’sl schooner based in the Bay of Islands. Our commercial activity raises funds to support our youth development programme.

About the role

The purpose of the chief executive position is to provide sound management, passion and drive to lead the next phase of the not-for-profit’s success. This will include:

• Create an environment and culture that focuses on fulfilling the organisation’s mission, vision, and values.
• General and operational management of all areas of the organisation.
• Ensure the organisation is staffed with well-trained, high-quality, and engaged employees at all times; lead and mentor staff, engaging and empowering them to be successful in their roles.
• Oversee financial performance and risk profile while ensuring that all regulatory obligations are met
• Experienced in actively seeking new funding opportunities and maintaining existing relationships with funders and sponsors.
• Effectively manage contract negotiations and statutory compliance.
• Overall operational responsibility to ensure the ship is fit for purpose; designated Safe Ship Management contact for the ship as the first point of contact for incident, accident, and crisis management; and management of the R. Tucker Thompson’s annual maintenance plan for approval by Trustees.

This is a permanent full-time position, applicants must have the legal right to work in NZ. If you are ready for challenging and rewarding work in a not-for-profit organisation please apply here.

You can read and download the Position Description here.

To apply in strict confidence now, email your cover letter and CV to cvakl@sheffield.co.nz quoting A008694.

Applications close at 5pm on Sunday, 10 March 2024. Emails will be electronically acknowledged and further correspondence may be by email.

For more information please phone Neil Munro on +64 22 694 9620.