Learning and Events Manager

Business Canterbury – Christchurch, South Island Are you a commercially astute leader who thrives on creating exceptional learning experiences, impactful events, and meaningful business connections? Do you enjoy combining strategy, innovation, customer insight,and operationalexcellence to deliver real value and measurable outcomes? This is an exciting opportunity to join one of Canterbury's most connected and influential business organisations and lead the development and delivery of our learning and development programmes and events. Drawing on insights, stakeholder relationships, technology, and AI,you'llhelp ensure Business Canterburyremainsthe first choice for business capability building, connection, inspiration, and advocacy. As our Learning and Events Manager ,you'llbe responsible forshaping and delivering a high-impact programme of eventsand learningand developmentopportunities that respond to the evolving needs of Canterbury businesses.You'llensure our programmesremainrelevant, commercially successful, and deliver an exceptional customer experience while driving operational efficiency and innovation.You'llalso enjoy the mix of strategic leadership and hands-on execution. About Us As the home and voice of Canterbury business, Business Canterbury's purpose is back businesses to thrive by building capability, connections, and advocacy. With more than 2,800 members at the heart of everything we do, we are recognised as one of New Zealand's most influential business voices, globally recognised as a leading Chamber, and a trusted partner to business. We are fiercely focused on impact, and our vibrant team thrives on collaboration, innovation, and making a real difference for our members, customers, and community. What You'll Do Lead the development and evolution of our learning and development programmes, ensuring theyremainrelevant, innovative, and responsive to the changing business environment.Identifyemerging needs, explore new delivery methods, and create programmes that help businesses build capability, navigate change, and succeed. Events Leadership Lead the planning and delivery of a dynamic and commercially successful events programme that informs, inspires, connects, and advocates for the Canterbury business community. Ensure every event delivers a clear purpose, exceptional execution, and meaningful value for attendees and stakeholders. Customer Experience & Engagement Create seamless and engaging experiences across every stage of the customer journey. Ensure our events and programmes consistently exceed expectations and create clear pathways for members and customers to engage with Business Canterbury's wider services and support. Build andleveragepartnerships with presenters, facilitators,partners, industry experts, and stakeholders to strengthen our programme offering.Identifyopportunities to collaborate, differentiate, and create greater value for members and customers. Technology, AI & Operational Excellence Drive continuous improvement through robust systems, processes, technology, and AI.Identifyopportunities to improve efficiency, scalability, and programme effectiveness while supporting organisational capability building and change initiatives. Leadership & Performance Lead and develop a high-performing team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, customer focus, and innovation. Manage budgets, performance reporting, and operational planning to ensure strong commercial outcomes and alignment with organisational priorities. If it involves creating meaningful learning opportunities, delivering memorable events, building stronger business connections, driving operational excellence, or finding smarter ways to work,you'llbe at the centre of it. Why You'll Love This Role You'llplay a pivotal role in shaping the learning, capability building, and business connection opportunities available to the Canterbury business community. You'llwork closely with theleadership teamand colleagues across the organisation to influence organisational growth, member engagement, and customer outcomes. You'lllead programmes that have a visible impact on businesses,their people, and the wider region. You'llenjoy a diverse role that combines strategic leadership, programme development, commercial management, stakeholder engagement, customer experience, and team leadership. You'llhave the opportunity toleveragetechnology and AI to drive innovation, efficiency, and scale across our learning and events programmes. Who You Are You'rean experienced leader who understands how to combine strategy with execution and customer needs with commercial outcomes. You'reequally comfortable developing long-term plans, building strong relationships, leadingateam, analysing data, improving systems, and delivering exceptional experiences. You'llbring: At least five years' experience leading teams and delivering learning and development programmes, events, or customer engagement initiatives. Proven leadership experience with the ability to inspire, coach, and develop high-performing teams. Experienceidentifyingcapability needs and developing engaging, relevant learning solutions and pathways. Strong experience in event strategy, planning, delivery, and continuous improvement. Demonstrated success using technology and AI tools to improve efficiency, scalability, and programme effectiveness. Strong commercial acumen, including budget management and achieving financial performance targets. Experience using customer insights, market research, data, and reporting to drive decision-making and growth. Excellent communication, relationship management, and stakeholder engagement skills. A strong customer service mindset and the ability toidentifytrends and opportunities that deepen customer engagement. An understanding of the key drivers of business success and the Canterbury business environment. What We Value At Business Canterbury, our values guide everything we do: Lead the change and the charge Be the best business partner Fiercely focused onwhat'sbest for our customers Commercially driven for impact Authenticity matters Beyond your experience,you'llbe someone who iscurious, collaborative, customer-focused, courageous, adaptable, and driven by results.You'llbring fresh thinking, challenge the status quo, embrace continuous improvement, and enjoy helping others succeed. If these values resonate with you,you'llthrive here. This is a full-time office-based role, where connection, collaboration, and shared success are part of how we work every day. #J-18808-Ljbffr