FAMILY SUCCESS MATTERS | FATHERS FOR FAMILIES FOUNDATION
Chief Executive
Lead two organisations helping whānau build stronger, safer futures for their tamariki
Some leadership roles manage an organisation. This one shapes what happens for children and families across our community.
After many years of steady, trusted leadership, Family Success Matters and Fathers for Families Foundation are looking for their next Chief Executive. This is a chance to build on strong foundations, lead both organisations through a changing funding landscape and grow their impact for the whānau who rely on them.
Our organisations
Family Success Matters is a charitable trust that improves the health, wellbeing and long-term outcomes of children and whānau. Our community-based services help families create safe, stable and nurturing homes, with a strong focus on early intervention, prevention and building whānau capability.
Fathers for Families Foundation works alongside fathers, men and their whānau to support positive and sustainable change, with a focus on strengthening relationships, reducing family harm and improving whānau wellbeing. Its work combines behaviour-change programmes with individual and whānau support and culturally grounded practice.
Together, our team of around 50 kaimahi brings that kaupapa to life every day across South Auckland.
The role
As Chief Executive of both organisations, you’ll turn each Board’s strategy into safe, high-quality services for children and whānau, keep both organisations financially sustainable, compliant and well led, and grow and diversify their funding for the future.
What you’ll lead
● Strategy and business planning for both organisations, in partnership with the Boards, with delivery that stays true to the plan
● Government contracts, from negotiation to accurate reporting, and the response to changes in funding and commissioning models
● Growing and diversifying funding through new partnerships, commissioning relationships and grants
● Strong relationships with referrers, iwi, Māori and Pacific organisations, funders and government, and a stronger public profile for both organisations
● Safe, high-quality, culturally responsive services delivered within contract and workforce capacity
● Whānau and partner feedback that drives continuous improvement
● The move to a new client management and reporting system
● Risk, compliance, privacy, child protection and health and safety, including the safety of kaimahi working in the community
● A workforce of around 50, from recruitment and workforce planning to supervision, wellbeing and performance
● A culture that is safe, supportive, values-led and accountable
● Prudent financial management and clear, transparent reporting to both Boards
What you’ll bring
We’ll be looking for clear evidence of:
● At least five years’ experience in a senior leadership role in the social services or community sector, ideally in family or whānau services
● Experience managing government contracts, including delivery to outcomes and contract reporting
● A track record of securing new funding and building strategic partnerships with funders, on sitre
● Experience leading a workforce of 50 or more in frontline or high-intensity service delivery
● Experience managing budgets of a comparable size and reporting to a governance board
● Experience applying risk, compliance, health and safety and child protection frameworks
● Experience leading organisational change, programme redesign or new systems
● Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and a proven ability to build trust with culturally diverse communities
● A tertiary qualification in social work, social sciences, management or a related field would be an advantage, as would experience leading across more than one organisation
Who you are
You’re a strategic thinker who can step back from the day-to-day, see the whole picture and work through complexity with a clear head. You make sound, timely decisions and hold to the plan, even when that means saying no. You raise issues early and report honestly, including when the news isn’t good. You’re energised by getting out and building relationships, and you bring an entrepreneurial eye balanced with a prudent approach to every dollar. You lead with empathy, set high standards and create a safe, supportive base for people doing demanding work. And you stay steady under pressure.
What matters to us
● Our kaupapa and the whānau we serve
● Whānau-centred approaches
● Te Tiriti-informed practice
● Integrity, transparency and a service mindset
What we offer
● A competitive salary including a vehicle, commensurate with experience
● The opportunity to lead meaningful work with committed teams and supportive Boards
● Based in Manukau, South Auckland
Our process
Applications will be shortlisted against the criteria above. Shortlisted candidates will take part in two interviews, reference checks and a behavioural profile assessment. A full clean driver’s licence is required, and the successful candidate will need to complete police vetting and safety checks.
How to apply
Send your CV and a cover letter to [email protected] by 30 November 2026.
In your cover letter, tell us why this role matters to you and how your experience matches what we’re looking for.
For a confidential conversation about the role, please email in the first instance and we will be in touch.
Family Success Matters website: https://www.fsm.org.nz/