Academic Operations Team Leader
- The University of Auckland
- New Zealand, AUK
- Nov 6, 2026
Job Description:
Job DescriptionTe Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity
We are seeking an experienced and people-focused Academic Operations Team Leader to join the School of Medicine. This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for leading a team of professional staff who provide operational and administrative support to academic leaders, staff and students, enabling excellence in teaching, learning and research.
This role will suit a confident and adaptable leader who enjoys building high-performing teams, fostering strong stakeholder relationships, and driving service excellence in a complex environment. As the University continues to evolve, you will bring a flexible and open-minded approach to portfolio leadership, embracing opportunities to support changing priorities and emerging needs across the school and wider faculty.
Working closely with Academic Heads and the Academic Operations Manager, you will play an important role in shaping a collaborative, customer-focused culture while ensuring the smooth delivery of operational services.
Key responsibilities:
- Lead, coach and develop a team delivering high-quality administrative and operational support services.
- Partner with Academic Heads and key stakeholders to ensure the effective delivery of day-to-day operational activities.
- Champion a culture of service excellence, continuous improvement and customer-centric practice.
- Lead workflow planning, workload allocation and capability development across the team.
- Act as a specialist lead within one or more operational portfolios and support the adoption of best practice.
- Contribute to strategic planning, operational improvements and faculty-wide initiatives.
- Support recruitment, financial administration and operational processes within the school
This is a full-time (37.5h per week), permanent position.
For more detailed information, please see the position description.
The salary for this position is $87,000 – $107,500, depending on skills and experience.
He kōrero mōu | About you
You are a capable leader who brings a strong track record of developing people, building positive team culture and delivering results through others. You are comfortable navigating complexity, influencing across stakeholder groups and balancing operational priorities in a fast-paced environment.
You are someone who can provide clear direction and bring people together around shared goals. You enjoy leading through change and are excited by the opportunity to contribute to a dynamic environment where portfolios and priorities may evolve over time.
You will bring:
- Proven leadership experience, including coaching, mentoring and development of staff
- Strong stakeholder management and relationship building skills across diverse groups
- Experience working within a large, complex organisation
- Excellent planning, prioritisation and workload management capabilities
- Strong communication, influencing and problem-solving skills
- Experience leading operational improvement initiatives and embedding best-practice
Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What we offer
The University of Auckland is committed to providing an excellent working environment through:
- Flexible employment practices
- Career development programmes
- A competitive salary with five weeks’ annual leave
For more information, please visit Staff Benefits.
Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply
Applications should be submitted online, before the closing date of 20 November to be considered. Please include an up-to-date CV and cover letter outlining what strengths you will bring to this role.
If you have any questions, reach out to Lesley Ruki-Willison – [email protected].
Please note we are happy to answer your questions, but we do not accept applications via email.
#LI-DNI
The University of Auckland
The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s pre-eminent research-led University. Established in 1883, it is an international centre of learning and academic excellence. With just over 5,200 staff...Job ID:
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Job Description:
Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity
We are seeking an experienced and people-focused Academic Operations Team Leader to join the School of Medicine. This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for leading a team of professional staff who provide operational and administrative support to academic leaders, staff and students, enabling excellence in teaching, learning and research.
This role will suit a confident and adaptable leader who enjoys building high-performing teams, fostering strong stakeholder relationships, and driving service excellence in a complex environment. As the University continues to evolve, you will bring a flexible and open-minded approach to portfolio leadership, embracing opportunities to support changing priorities and emerging needs across the school and wider faculty.
Working closely with Academic Heads and the Academic Operations Manager, you will play an important role in shaping a collaborative, customer-focused culture while ensuring the smooth delivery of operational services.
Key responsibilities:
- Lead, coach and develop a team delivering high-quality administrative and operational support services.
- Partner with Academic Heads and key stakeholders to ensure the effective delivery of day-to-day operational activities.
- Champion a culture of service excellence, continuous improvement and customer-centric practice.
- Lead workflow planning, workload allocation and capability development across the team.
- Act as a specialist lead within one or more operational portfolios and support the adoption of best practice.
- Contribute to strategic planning, operational improvements and faculty-wide initiatives.
- Support recruitment, financial administration and operational processes within the school
This is a full-time (37.5h per week), permanent position.
For more detailed information, please see the position description.
The salary for this position is $87,000 – $107,500, depending on skills and experience.
He kōrero mōu | About you
You are a capable leader who brings a strong track record of developing people, building positive team culture and delivering results through others. You are comfortable navigating complexity, influencing across stakeholder groups and balancing operational priorities in a fast-paced environment.
You are someone who can provide clear direction and bring people together around shared goals. You enjoy leading through change and are excited by the opportunity to contribute to a dynamic environment where portfolios and priorities may evolve over time.
You will bring:
- Proven leadership experience, including coaching, mentoring and development of staff
- Strong stakeholder management and relationship building skills across diverse groups
- Experience working within a large, complex organisation
- Excellent planning, prioritisation and workload management capabilities
- Strong communication, influencing and problem-solving skills
- Experience leading operational improvement initiatives and embedding best-practice
Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What we offer
The University of Auckland is committed to providing an excellent working environment through:
- Flexible employment practices
- Career development programmes
- A competitive salary with five weeks’ annual leave
For more information, please visit Staff Benefits.
Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply
Applications should be submitted online, before the closing date of 20 November to be considered. Please include an up-to-date CV and cover letter outlining what strengths you will bring to this role.
If you have any questions, reach out to Lesley Ruki-Willison – [email protected].
Please note we are happy to answer your questions, but we do not accept applications via email.
#LI-DNI
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Equity
The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment. For further information on services for Māori, Pacific, women, LGBTQIATakatāpuiMVPFAFF+, people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work and other personal circumstances go to www.equity.auckland.ac.nz
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