General Manager, Planning and Operations

Venues Ōtautahi
NZ - christchurch
May 10, 2025

Newly created, permanent full-time role, reporting to the Chief Executive
Once in a lifetime opportunity to be part of the opening of One New Zealand Stadium
Play a critical part in leading critical event planning and venue operations across the venue portfolio

About Us
One New Zealand Stadium is less than a year away from opening and we're entering an exciting phase of growth and transformation.
Venues Otautahi is thrilled to commence recruiting for a number of key roles across the business that will play a critical part in ensuring the successful launch and long-term success of the stadium and ultimately bring the stadium to life!
Venues Ōtautahi own the Christchurch Town Hall and Wolfbrook Arena and manage Apollo Projects Stadium, Hagley Oval, the Air Force Museum of New Zealand, and One New Zealand Stadium.
Venues Ōtautahi venues attract and host a wide range of over 500 events in Christchurch and manage a diverse and iconic portfolio of community venues.
Venues Ōtautahi's purpose is to strategically manage and leverage the venues to deliver positive social, cultural, environmental and economic impact to the region.
The events held across the Venues Ōtautahi portfolio deliver significant social, cultural, and economic benefit to the region and ultimately these iconic city venues play a valued role to the Christchurch way of life and the economic prosperity and social wellbeing of the region.
About The Role
Venues Ōtautahi invites applications for the General Manager, Planning and Operations.
This senior leadership position is responsible for strategic operational oversight, stakeholder engagement, and ensuring the highest standards of safety, service, and event execution across all venues.
The role drives resource optimisation, operational efficiency, and fosters a high-performance culture.
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, the General Manager leads the planning and seamless delivery of events, ensuring exceptional experiences for all clients and guests.
Key Responsibilities Of The Position Are As Follows

Lead the teams responsible for the planning and delivery of events, ensuring high standards of operational efficiency, utmost safety and security of all aspects, client confidence and guest experience.
Drive operational strategies to optimise venue usage, staff deployment, and event profitability.
Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including all sporting and entertainment clients
Ensure safety and compliance standards are met, overseeing risk management and operational procedures.
Mentor and develop a high-performing team, supporting succession planning and professional growth.
Manage operational budgets, ensuring efficient resource allocation and cost control.
Lead innovation in event management, adopting new technologies and best practices to stay ahead of trends.
Champion a strong, organisation-wide safety-first culture, embedding health and safety as a fundamental priority across all planning and operational functions.
Advocate for the continual evaluation and evolution of Venues Ōtautahi's offerings, ensuring they meet future needs and expectations, while balancing sustainability and resource management.

About You
It's an exciting time to join Venues Ōtautahi and you'll have the opportunity to help shape our future as part of our passionate and hard-working team.
The Successful Candidate Will Have

10+ years demonstrated operational experience, preferably in a venue management environment, with extensive experience in a senior leadership role.
Ability to lead, mentor, develop teams while fostering a high-performance culture.
Able to provide high quality, insightful and strategic advice as part of the Executive Leadership Team.
Ability to make sound decisions in high pressure or uncertain environments.
Understands strategic planning, performance metrics and operational frameworks.
Familiarity with data driven decision making tools, operational software and process automation.
Strong understanding of budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting and cost control.
Skilled in leading organisational change, innovation and continuous improvement.
Strong project management skills, able to prioritise at peak times, multitask and meet strict deadlines.

We act with aspiration, agility, kindness and are driven to take care of the venues to make them places of pride and delight for everyone.
If this sounds like you, we want to hear from you.
Help us bring the energy before the first whistle blows!
How To Apply
Click "apply" to be redirected to our careers page, where you can view the position description and to submit an application.
Applications close Sunday 25 May 2025.
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Read the full job description and apply online on the recuiter's web-site

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