Project Manager, Pacific Student Success (Current AUT Employees only)

• Operationalise and implement strategic initiatives
• Lead projects which make significant impact and contribution to Pacific students
• Full-time, permanent role - flexible locations across AUT campuses

AUT has a deep and genuine collective commitment to Pacific peoples. AUT's Office of Pacific Advancement (OPA) is grounded in this commitment, and prioritises the wellbeing and success of Pacific communities at AUT and beyond. Our programmes and initiatives span the student and staff experience; academic research development, impact and engagement; advocacy, and community-based collaborations and partnerships. AUT has the largest cohort of Pacific university students in New Zealand, and they are supported from entry through to research degrees. We maintain and facilitate initiatives of importance to Pacific communities in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands through education, research, professional training, academic opportunities and partnerships.

OPA is a small and close-knit team working across the University and beyond. We manage large projects dedicated to enabling Pacific success, this includes our awesome UniPrep programme ; a massive annual project working with up to 300 students across multiple sites, which partners with high schools (predominantly in South Auckland) to empower and support student transitions to university. More than 75% of Uniprep participants are Pacific peoples. OPA also empowers Pacific students to take an active role in their success through extracurricular programmes such as the Oceanian Leadership Network (OLN), comprising of current students from different faculties, schools and campuses across AUT.

Become our new Project Manager for Pacific Student Success

In this fast moving and evolving role, you will be responsible and accountable for leading the delivery of OPA strategies and initiatives, which will make significant impacts and contributions towards elevating Pacific student success. In collaboration with faculties and relevant service divisions, you will operationalise strategic programmes and initiatives under the auspices of the Office of Pacific Advancement to enhance Pacific equity objectives under the AUT Strategic Plan and report on, share and encourage good practice in relation to student success. This includes managing and improving existing projects of significant size and scale, such as Uniprep and the OLN.

You will oversee a small projects team in this critical role as you drive programme and initiative planning, development and delivery. This will include the establishment and implementation of project plans, budgets, processes and evaluation frameworks; and academic, professional and external stakeholder engagement and relationship management.

Reporting to the new Assistant Pro Vice-Chancellor Pacific, you will also work closely with our Pro-Vice Chancellor Pacific Associate Professor Jacoba Matapo . You'll have many direct engagements with students through our many different initiatives and enjoy supporting youth and their aspirations. You will lead up to 4 highly committed and passionate staff who report into the role. At peak times of the year, up to around 50 casual and fixed-term staff from the OLN will also report to you.

This role truly does have so much variety and will make such a difference to Pacific students!

You'll need to possess a genuine service-leadership mindset, supported by effective organisational skills and a strong ability to develop and lead effective teams grounded by an approach to work that is cultural, relational and people-centred, and which embraces manaakitanga, whanaungatanga and kaitiakitanga. Equally as critical is an authentic, collegial and positive leadership style which values diversity, working inclusively and embodies trustworthiness, confidence and kindness. You'll be a highly collaborative and influencing person who listens and is passionate about the advancement of Pacific peoples; whilst having huge proactivity to make things happen.

Please see the detailed position description for more information on key job accountabilities. 

Applications and Key Selection Criteria

Along with your CV, please ensure to submit a cover letter which explains a) why this particular role (and AUT) is of interest, and also b) how your experience aligns with the key experience and attributes we're seeking below:

Further Information:

• Start Date - As soon as possible (to be agreed with the successful candidate).
• Term -The successful candidate will secure a permanent, full-time appointment.
• Referees - Applicants should also provide names, contact details and clarification of relationship for at least two potential referees. Referees will not be contacted without the prior consent of the applicant.
• Enquiries - Please contact Mike Wood, AUT Executive Recruitment Partner - [email protected]  
• A Police Vetting Check will be undertaken as part of the pre-employment checks required, for the preferred candidate.

Closing date for applications: Sunday 11 June at 11:55pm.

Reference: 85972