Operations Manager - Regions, Southern in Canterbury

Career Opportunities: Operations Manager – Regions, Southern (5733553)

Requisition ID5733553-Posted –Canterbury–Permanent FT

Te Tari Pūreke – Firearms Safety Authority is New Zealand’s Firearms Regulator. Our Vision is to ensure the possession and use of firearms in Aotearoa is the safest in the world.

To achieve this, Te Tari Pūreke delivers core functions: effectively implementing the firearms licensing systems; managing the Firearms Registry; educating people to enable compliance with their legislative responsibilities; and promoting the safe possession and lawful use of firearms.

We are committed to fostering a culture of safe and responsible firearms use, gun ownership and awareness by working collaboratively with the firearms community, our stakeholders, and fellow agencies.

About the role

The purpose of the Operations Manager – Southern is to deliver functions required under the Arms Act (1983) within the allocated Firearms portfolio, general group and team leadership and contributing to the overall success of the organisation.

This senior leadership position is responsible for Arms Office locations across the South Island (inc. Nelson, Christchurch, Dunedin & Invercargill), as well as being part of the Service Delivery Leadership Team.

The successful candidate will bring a strong leadership background and a proven ability to manage and deliver performance targets within budget. Importantly, they will have in-depth knowledge and experience in the firearms regulatory system, or an equivalent regulatory environment. In addition, they will be able to demonstrate how they have led change with teams whilst maintaining an effective culture.

• Strategic capability to think beyond immediate issues and consider long-term and broader implications.
• Leadership and change management skills to change, set clear expectations, and motivate managers and staff.
• Proven success in introducing and driving innovative business practices to achieve positive results.
• Proven success in developing, leading, and motivating high-performing teams.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate with credibility both within and across organisations and sector.
• Sector-level relationship management skills to build purposeful relationships both internally and externally.

Key Responsibilities:

• Delivering performance targets within budget.
• Leading and managing Firearms teams across the region.
• Contributing to the Service Delivery Operations Leadership Team.
• Leading change within teams while maintaining an effective culture.

You will be embracing of a change based operational environment, and able to navigate a steady course through fluidity, making decisions where there is ambiguity, whist taking a risk-based approach to all you do.

Come and join a team who are passionate about ensuring the possession and use of firearms in Aotearoa is the safest in the world.

We as the firearms regulator, collaborate closely with both the Ministry of Justice and NZ Police. The Ministry of Justice is responsible for policy advice and system oversight and NZ Police is responsible for law enforcement function.

Together we seek to continuously improve our approach across the firearms regulatory environment.

Whilst we are looking for skills, knowledge, and experience relevant to the role, we also place high importance on your state of mind, the alignment of your values with ours, your ability to contribute to and build high performing teams, and the way that you lead yourself or others.

If you want to contribute to keeping our communities safe and enjoy purposeful and meaningful work then come join our highly motivated leadership team.

Special requirements

• Relevant tertiary qualification in Operations Management, Regulatory Compliance or Business Management is desirable.
• At least five to ten years’ experience leading and managing complex operational environments.
• At least three years experience in a changing or evolving organisation as a change leader.
• The ability to regularly travel across the Southern Region and nationally when required.

This roleis Leading Leaders level. You can refer to Indicators for Success for further information on the requirements.

To view more detailed information about our recruitment process along with further details about requirements please click below link:

This position is covered by a collective agreement and salary will commence at $155,956.00 dependent on skills and experience relevant to the role.

Apply Now

If this position sounds like you, click apply now. You will be required to submit an application form and a CV. Before confirmation of hire, pre-employment checks will be undertaken.

All applications must be submitted online and will not be accepted directly via email. All applicants must have the right to work in New Zealand.

If you are an internal applicant, you must apply internally through the police system.

Deadline for applications is 5:00 pm Friday 6th February 2026. Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Depending on the volume of interest, this role may close within 7 days of being advertised.