Youth Alive Trust - Trust Manager

Youth Alive Trust has been serving children, young people, and whānau in the eastern suburbs of Christchurch for 38 years. We are a faith-based youth and community support agency, based at Grace Vineyard Church in New Brighton.

Our vision is to see tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau filled with hope. Our mission is to positively influence their lives through relationship-based programmes. Every week, our passionate staff team backed by a large group of dedicated volunteers serves hundreds of people through youth clubs, in-school youth work, OSCAR after school care and holiday programmes, Mana Ake wellbeing support, counselling, community events, the Amplify School of Music, and more.

We are looking for an exceptional leader to take the helm as Trust Manager.

This is a senior general‑management role with full accountability for the Trust's strategic direction, operations, people, finances, compliance, and external relationships. You will lead a committed team, steward resources wisely, and help Youth Alive Trust deepen its impact in the lives of young people and whānau across the east of Christchurch.

You will report directly to the Board of Trustees and hold responsibility across the full breadth of the Trust's management, from funding strategy and governance relationships through to HR, health and safety, programme oversight, financial management, and community partnerships.

You will thrive here if you are equally comfortable presenting to the Board and sitting on the floor with a 5‑year‑old to help them feel safe, seen, and at home. The role does not require you to do the latter, but the kind of person who would is exactly who we are looking for.

What You Will Do | Ko tāu mahi, ko:Strategic Leadership

Shape and implement YAT's strategic direction in partnership with the Board of Trustees.

Translate strategy into clear operational plans, priorities, timelines, and outcomes.

Foster a culture of shared purpose, servant leadership, and genuine care for people.

Maintain strong, collaborative relationships with Grace Vineyard Church leadership and key community partners.

Represent Youth Alive Trust with integrity and confidence in the wider community and sector.

Operations and Compliance

Lead day‑to‑day operations across programmes, services, facilities, and vehicles.

Develop and maintain policies, systems, and processes that keep the organisation safe, legally compliant, and continuously improving.

Lead the Trust's Health and Safety function, ensuring a safe environment for staff, volunteers, young people, and whānau.

Ensure child safeguarding is paramount across all operations in accordance with the Children's Act 2014.

Fulfil Privacy Officer responsibilities under the Privacy Act 2020.

Lead quality assurance and readiness for external audits, including MSD compliance.

People and Culture

Lead, develop, and care for a high‑performing team, with genuine pastoral investment in each person's wellbeing and growth.

Oversee all HR functions: recruitment, employment agreements, onboarding, performance management, and staff development.

Build and sustain a healthy, values‑driven workplace culture aligned with YAT's Christian ethos and bicultural commitments.

Lead annual budgeting, financial planning, and reporting to the Board.

Ensure organisational sustainability and responsible stewardship of resources.

Ensure strong internal financial controls, payroll accuracy, and auditable documentation.

You are a grounded, relational leader with sound judgement, the ability to think strategically, and the practical confidence to get things done. You move naturally between governance conversations and frontline team culture.

You will bring:

Proven senior leadership or management experience, ideally in a community, not‑for‑profit, or faith‑based context.

Strong operational and financial management capability.

Experience in HR, health and safety, compliance, and/or governance.

A genuine commitment to children, young people, whānau, and community.

Are an active member of a Christian faith community.

Special Character

Youth Alive Trust is a Christian charitable organisation. The successful candidate will need to work comfortably within this context, actively support the Trust's values, mission, and culture, and be willing to share their own faith journey.

• Sector‑competitive salary, reviewed annually.
• Five weeks of annual leave per year.
• Paid monthly external professional supervision.
• Subsidised holiday programme places for your children.
• Ongoing training and professional development.
• A supportive, fun, and deeply relational team that genuinely values work‑life balance.
• The opportunity to lead meaningful work that makes a real and lasting difference in the lives of young people and whānau.

How to Apply | Me pēhea te tono

If you are a thoughtful, values‑led leader ready to take on a role with genuine scope and purpose, we would love to hear from you.

Apply via SEEK with:

Your CV

A cover letter outlining your interest and suitability for the role.

Applications close: 14 July 2026 (or earlier if a suitable candidate is found).

For a full job description or a confidential conversation, contact Greg or James at hr•@yat.org.nz.

Learn more about Youth Alive Trust at www.yat.org.nz and www.facebook.com/youthalivetrustnz, and check out our video introduction!

All new appointees require background checking. Under the requirements of the Children's Act 2014, new employees that are identified as coming under this act are required to undergo further safety checks as part of the recruitment process.

Your application will include the following questions:

• Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in New Zealand?
• Do you have experience working in the not‑for‑profit sector?
• Have you completed a qualification in management?
• How would you rate your English language skills?
• Do you have customer service experience?