Chief Operating Officer

Qestral Corporation Ltd is a premier, new-generation retirement village operator with a strong focus on lifestyle, quality, and community. Our approach starts with exceptional design and extends through to excellence in how our villages and care centres are operated. We are passionate about creating vibrant communities where residents can thrive, supported by professional teams committed to delivering exceptional service. Qestral currently operates retirement villages and care centres in Christchurch, Nelson, and Whangārei, with further growth planned across New Zealand. About the Role – Mō te Tūranga We are seeking an exceptional and experienced Chief Operating Officer (COO) to join our Executive Leadership Team. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the COO is responsible for leading the day-to-day operations of the organisation and ensuring the successful execution of Qestral's strategic objectives. This Head Office-based executive leadership role provides oversight and leadership across village operations, care services, sales and occupancy, projects, quality and compliance, health and safety, and operational support functions across all Qestral locations. As COO, you will play a pivotal role in driving organisational performance, operational excellence, sustainable growth, and customer experience outcomes across the Qestral group. You will work closely with the CEO and Board to translate strategy into action, foster a high-performing culture, and ensure our villages and care centres continue to deliver exceptional outcomes for residents, families, and staff. This is a rare opportunity to join one of New Zealand's most respected retirement living organisations and make a significant contribution to shaping its future. Key Responsibilities Provide executive leadership across all operational functions, ensuring alignment with organisational strategy and objectives Lead and support Village, Care Centre and operational support teams and leaders to achieve strong operational, financial, and resident outcomes Drive organisational performance through a focus on operational excellence, service quality, resident satisfaction, and continuous improvement Oversee sales and occupancy performance, supporting sustainable revenue growth and the successful expansion of Qestral communities Lead strategic projects, business improvement initiatives, and organisational change programmes Ensure robust governance, risk management, compliance, quality assurance, and health and safety frameworks are embedded across the organisation Contribute to strategic planning, business development, budgeting, and long-term organisational growth initiatives Monitor operational and financial performance, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, productivity, and outcomes Build capability across the organisation through leadership development, succession planning, coaching, and mentoring Foster a collaborative, values-driven culture that promotes accountability, innovation, and excellence You are a highly capable senior executive with a track record of leading complex, multi-site operations and delivering outstanding business results. You are equally comfortable working at a strategic level with the Board and Executive Team as you are supporting operational leaders to achieve excellence on the ground. You are commercially astute, people-focused, and passionate about creating environments where teams and communities can thrive. You bring strong leadership capability, sound judgement, and the ability to navigate growth, change, and complexity while maintaining a clear focus on customer experience and organisational performance. You’ll likely bring: A relevant tertiary qualification in Business, Commerce, Management, Health, Property, Hospitality, or a related discipline Significant senior executive leadership experience, ideally within retirement living, aged care, healthcare, hospitality, property, or other customer-focused service industries Demonstrated success leading large multi-site operations through senior leaders and management teams Strong commercial, financial, strategic planning, and business management capability Experience driving organisational growth, operational transformation, and continuous improvement initiatives Proven success leading change, developing leaders, and building high-performing teamsStrong governance, risk management, compliance, and stakeholder management experience Excellent relationship-building, communication, and influencing skills A collaborative and values-based leadership style with a focus on people, performance, and culture. Why Join Us Join a highly respected and growing New Zealand organisation at an exciting stage of its development Be part of an ambitious Executive Leadership Team shaping the future of retirement living in New Zealand Christchurch Head Office location with national responsibility across multiple villages and care centres Lead a diverse portfolio with significant influence across the organisation Work alongside an experienced and supportive CEO and Board Competitive executive remuneration package and benefits Opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of residents, families, and staff Christchurch-based role with national influence and occasional travel. #J-18808-Ljbffr