Deputy General Manager - Intensive Intervention Specialist Support

Deputy General Manager - Intensive Intervention Specialist Support Deputy General Manager – Intensive Intervention & Specialist Support Position Overview Kirikiriroa Family Services Trust (KFST) has been a cornerstone of whānau support in the Waikato and beyond since 1999. Guided by kaupapa Māori, our services are grounded in Āta, Ākina, and Angitū, strengthening the collective resilience of Te Pā Harakeke. While employed under KFST, services are delivered under Tamariki Tū Tamariki Ora (TTTO). This role sits within the proposed Te Pā Harakeke structure, under the General Manager, Service Delivery & Practice. It carries responsibility for KFST’s most intensive and specialist frontline work, where risk is highest and the margin for error is smallest. Purpose of the Role The Deputy General Manager, Intensive Intervention & Specialist Support provides leadership, clinical governance, and operational oversight across two service streams: Te Haumirimiri Ngākau Mokopuna and Specialist Support . The role: Provides direct leadership to the Team Leads and specialist staff within both streams. Ensures contractual KPIs, service outputs, and outcomes are consistently achieved. Maintains robust safeguarding and clinical governance frameworks for high-risk and sensitive cases, ensuring compliance with statutory obligations. Champions a culture of excellence, accountability, wellbeing, and continuous improvement. Contributes to the Leadership Team, ensuring both service streams remain aligned with organisational strategy and Te Pā Harakeke. Key Responsibilities Service Leadership & Delivery Provide vision, direction, and operational oversight across both service streams, ensuring services are mana-enhancing and grounded in kaupapa Māori. Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of services to respond to changing whānau needs, contractual requirements, and funder expectations. Embed culturally responsive practice and ensure Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations are reflected across service delivery. Champion the voice of tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau in service design, delivery, and improvement. Maintain robust clinical governance and best practice across therapeutic, counselling, intensive intervention, and specialist support services. Provide oversight of crisis management, escalation protocols, safeguarding, and multi-agency coordination. Advocate for tamariki and whānau within statutory processes involving Oranga Tamariki, the Courts, Police, and other relevant agencies. Performance & Reporting Ensure contractual KPIs, service outputs, and outcome measures are achieved or exceeded. Monitor service performance and proactively address emerging performance issues. Use data and insights to identify trends, risks, service gaps, and opportunities for improvement. Provide accurate, timely, and high-quality reporting to funders, partners, and the Board through the General Manager. Ensure appropriate systems are in place to monitor service quality, outcomes, compliance, and contractual performance. People & Workforce Management Lead, mentor, and coach Team Leads and specialist staff, with 8 direct reports and approximately 30 indirect reports across both service streams. Build leadership capability and accountability across the teams, supporting Team Leads to effectively manage their respective services and kaimahi. Ensure kaimahi receive regular professional supervision, particularly within therapeutic, clinical, and high-acuity roles. Ensure appropriate professional development and capability-building opportunities are available across both service streams. Oversee recruitment, induction, performance management, workforce planning, and succession planning. Promote kaimahi wellbeing, resilience, retention, and psychological safety within complex and high-acuity working environments. Address performance, conduct, and capability matters appropriately and in accordance with organisational policies and processes. Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships Build and sustain strong, trusted relationships with hapū, iwi, government agencies, funders, statutory agencies, and community partners. Maintain effective working relationships with Oranga Tamariki and other agencies involved in the care, protection, and wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi. Represent KFST and TTTO in relevant regional and national forums relating to intensive intervention and specialist services. Partner with other providers to strengthen integrated pathways of support for tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau with complex or high-level needs. Advocate for effective, culturally responsive, and mana-enhancing responses for tamariki and whānau across the wider system. Financial & Risk Management Develop and manage budgets across both service streams, ensuring resources are allocated and utilised effectively. Monitor expenditure and report financial variances to the General Manager and Finance function. Proactively identify and manage risks relating to service delivery, workforce, safeguarding, clinical practice, contractual performance, and compliance. Develop and implement appropriate mitigation strategies where risks are identified. Ensure services operate within all relevant legal, statutory, contractual, professional, and organisational policy frameworks. Maintain appropriate oversight of high-risk cases and ensure escalation and reporting requirements are consistently followed. Strategic Contribution Actively contribute as a member of the Leadership Team, supporting organisational decision-making and alignment across service streams. Support the ongoing implementation and embedding of Te Pā Harakeke as the organisation’s operating model. Provide frontline and specialist service insight to inform long-term organisational strategy, planning, and investment. Lead and contribute to service reviews, pilots, innovations, and improvement initiatives across intensive intervention and specialist support. Identify emerging needs, service gaps, and opportunities to strengthen outcomes for tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau. Service Streams in Scope Te Haumirimiri Ngākau Mokopuna Four Team Lead roles and their respective teams. Specialist Support Mental Health Psychologist. Court Support. Sexual Harm Crisis Support. DSL Support. Te Waka Tamariki Team Lead. Rangatahi Support. Key Performance Indicators To be finalised and co-design upon appointment. KPIs will reflect the responsibilities and accountabilities of the role and will include measures relating to service delivery, contractual performance, safeguarding and clinical governance, people leadership, financial management, stakeholder relationships, and outcomes for tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau. Person Specification Qualifications & Experience Relevant tertiary qualification in Social Work, Clinical Psychology, Counselling, or a related discipline , or extensive equivalent professional experience. At least five years’ experience in a senior service delivery, operational, or clinical leadership role. Demonstrated experience leading complex, intensive, therapeutic, or specialist social services. Strong knowledge of kaupapa Māori frameworks and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, with demonstrated practical application within service delivery. Experience working alongside vulnerable tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau within complex, high-risk, or crisis contexts. Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and supporting leaders responsible for frontline service delivery. Demonstrated experience implementing and monitoring quality improvement initiatives within social or community services. Skills & Competencies Inspirational and credible leadership, with the ability to develop strong, accountable, and high-performing teams. Sound professional judgement in relation to clinical governance, safeguarding, risk, and complex decision-making. Strong financial literacy and demonstrated capability in budget and resource management. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including high-quality reporting, advocacy, and presentation. Confidence in stakeholder engagement, negotiation, relationship management, and multi-agency coordination. Strong analytical capability, with the ability to use data and insights to inform decisions and improve service performance. Ability to navigate complex statutory, contractual, and organisational environments. Resilient, adaptable, and solution-focused, with the ability to provide calm and effective leadership within high-acuity environments. Strong commitment to continuous improvement, accountability, and achieving meaningful outcomes for tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau. Values Alignment At the heart of KFST are our values of Āta, Ākina, and Angitū : acting with care, respect, and intentionality; uplifting and strengthening those around us; and holding ourselves accountable for excellence and positive long-term outcomes. The Deputy General Manager, Intensive Intervention & Specialist Support is expected to actively embody and model these values through their leadership, decision-making, relationships, and everyday practice. Position Details Reports to: General Manager, Service Delivery & Practice Direct Reports: 8 direct reports and approximately 30 indirect reports, including one Team Coordinator, one Supervisor, Team Leads, and specialist staff across both service streams. Location: Kirikiriroa (Hamilton), with regional coverage and travel as required. #J-18808-Ljbffr