About this role
SLSNZ - Lifesaving Operations Lead
National role | Based from any SLSNZ office | Permanent, full-time | $70-$75K
- Shape the national standards and systems that support frontline lifesaving
- Turn strategy and operational learning into practical, workable solutions
- Help strengthen safe, consistent lifesaving services across Aotearoa
Help strengthen the system behind lifesaving delivery
Every season, surf lifeguards and clubs across Aotearoa rely on clear standards, dependable systems and practical operational support to deliver safe and effective lifesaving services.
We’re looking for a highly capable Lifesaving Operations Lead to help make that happen.
This is an exciting national role at the centre of Surf Life Saving New Zealand’s lifesaving operations. You’ll connect strategy, policy and frontline experience, ensuring our national requirements are current, clearly understood and workable for the clubs, volunteers and staff who use them.
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About the role
Reporting to the Lifesaving Strategy Lead, you will work closely with national and regional lifesaving leaders, subject matter experts, clubs and volunteers to translate strategic direction and operational learning into practical guidance, systems and coordinated action.
You will:
- Lead the review, consultation and publication of lifesaving policies and National Standard Operating Procedures
- Ensure national standards are evidence-informed, practical and consistently understood
- Coordinate operational licensing, compliance and assurance processes
- Maintain accurate national registers, records and audit trails
- Coordinate national lifesaving equipment audits and support clinical and equipment approval processes
- Help develop and monitor the national Lifesaving Operational Plan
- Translate policy and service changes into effective implementation plans, tools and communications
- Coordinate lifesaving projects and continuous improvement initiatives
- Support seasonal readiness and post-season reviews, ensuring learning is captured and applied
- Use operational data and frontline insights to identify risks, emerging themes and opportunities for improvement
- Simplify processes, improve data quality and reduce repeated administration through nationally consistent systems and automation
- Act as a central point of connection for operational lifesaving queries
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About you
You’ll be someone who enjoys making complex operational requirements clear, practical and reliable. You’ll combine strong attention to detail with sound judgement, collaborative relationships and a genuine understanding of how national decisions affect frontline delivery.
You will bring:
- Experience coordinating operational services, compliance, policy, quality assurance or projects within a complex environment
- The ability to develop, review and successfully implement policies, procedures and operational guidance
- Strong planning, organisation and document-control capability
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- The ability to interpret operational information, identify themes and turn them into practical action
- Confidence working with digital information, workflow and collaboration systems
- A collaborative approach and the ability to build trusted relationships with volunteers, staff and diverse stakeholders
- Strong follow-through and the ability to keep complex work moving across multiple contributors
Knowledge of Surf Life Saving New Zealand and operational lifeguarding would be highly advantageous. A relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent operational experience would also be valuable.
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Why join SLSNZ?
This is an opportunity to have a national impact on the safety, consistency and sustainability of lifesaving services across Aotearoa.
You’ll work alongside people with deep operational expertise, help shape how lifesaving services are supported nationally and ensure that frontline experience continues to inform future strategy and improvement.
You’ll join a purpose-driven organisation guided by our Kawa Tātaki - Respect, Integrity, Collaboration, Wellbeing and Fun, and connected through Kapa Kotahi, our commitment to working as one team.
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Apply now
If you’re excited by the opportunity to connect strategy with practical delivery and strengthen the systems that support lifesaving across Aotearoa, we’d love to hear from you.
Please apply with your CV and a cover letter outlining your interest and relevant experience.
Applications close October 26, Labour Day.