Manager - Student Advisory Services

Permanent, Full Time

• Lead and inspire a team dedicated to learner success
• Create meaningful pathways that support learner wellbeing, success and achievement
• Build partnerships that help learners succeed and flourish

Mō Tēnei Tūranga Mahi – About the Role

Great support can make all the difference to a learner's success. In this role you will lead a team of advisors and team leaders that help learners navigate challenges, stay connected, and achieve their goals while ensuring Ara's support services remain focused, sustainable, and effective.

You will oversee advisory services, strengthen practices, develop meaningful partnerships with external organisations, and ensure learners can access the right support at the right time. Some support will be delivered within Ara, while other needs will be best met through trusted external partners. Knowing where that line sits, and helping your team work confidently within it will be a key part of your success.

Working alongside leaders across Ara, you will contribute to compliance with the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice, use data and insights to guide decisions, continually improve processes and help ensure services remain responsive, accessible and culturally grounded.

With team members located across Christchurch and Timaru, you will have a regular presence at Woolston Campus and occasional visits to Timaru.

As a member of the Equity and Ākonga Success leadership team, you will also provide leadership support across the wider division, including operational oversight of Student Accommodation during periods of absence and participation in the after-hours on-call roster for escalated ākonga wellbeing, accommodation, and operational matters.

Ngā Pūkenga Me Ngā Wheako – Skills and Experience

We're looking for an experienced people leader who can balance compassion with pragmatism and think strategically while staying connected to operational realities.

Ideally, you'll bring:

• Relevant tertiary qualification in education, management, social services, or a related field, or equivalent knowledge gained through experience.
• Experience leading student support, advisory, pastoral care, education, social services, or similar teams
• Track record of building engaged, high-performing teams and supporting leaders to succeed
• Strong understanding of case management practices, service delivery, and referral pathways
• Confidence working across complex stakeholder environments and building productive external partnerships
• Experience navigating compliance frameworks and translating requirements into practical action
• Sound financial and operational management skills, including budget oversight and resource planning
• Strong analytical and reporting skills, using data to continually drive improvements and informed decisions
• Experience delivering accurate compliance and performance reporting, ensuring regulatory and organisational requirements are met
• Availability and willingness to participate in the after-hours on-call roster for Ōtautahi House (student accommodation) as required
• Commitment to equity and inclusion, with the ability to embed culturally responsive practice across service delivery
• Strong understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its application within tertiary education and learner support settings
• Continuous improvement mindset, with the confidence to lead change, review services, and identify new ways of working

You'll be someone who enjoys bringing people together, building strong relationships, and helping others do their best work. Most importantly, you'll understand that learner success is a collective effort and know how to create the conditions that help people flourish.

Mō Mātou – About us

Ara Institute of Canterbury is the South Island's largest provider of tertiary vocational education, helping people build better futures - and that starts with our people.

Every day, our kaimahi help students gain real skills for real careers through hands-on learning and strong industry connections.

The Madras Street (City) campus brings engineering, architecture, music, trades, health and creative arts together in the heart of Christchurch, right next door to One New Zealand Stadium.

We offer tangible benefits: income protection for permanent kaimahi over 15 hours, fee discounts on Ara courses for staff, professional development leave and funding, two on-site early childhood centres, generous leave provisions, and an annual Christmas closedown to enjoy time with whanau and friends. A gym, library and cafés complete the picture.

Guided by our values Hono | Connect, Hihiri | Inspire and Aroha | Respect, we're committed to equity, inclusion and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

If you're looking for work that matters, Ara could be your next chapter.

Tono Ināianei - Apply now

We accept applications via our online application system. For any other queries, please email Sign in to view email.

Rā Katinga - Applications close – 11:55pm, Wednesday 5 August 2026

Job Details

Reference #

24216

Posted on

23 Jul 2026

Closes on

05 Aug 2026 23:55

Location(s)

Central Christchurch

Expertise

Students Support Services

Job level(s)

Management

Work type(s)

Permanent full-time