Operations Manager
Sir Peter Blake MERC
Mō Mātou – About Us
Sir Peter Blake Marine Education & Recreation Centre (MERC) is a charity based at Oneroa/Long Bay, Tamaki Makaurau/Auckland. We provide safe, fun, high quality marine environmental education and recreation experiences for young New Zealanders.
We acknowledge the role Te Tiriti o Waitangi/The Treaty of Waitangi holds in our nation and how it should frame our people and our future. MERC seeks to honour Te Tiriti by bringing to life its principles. We aim to work in partnership and collaboration with mana whenua to ensure young people receive knowledge from both te ao maori and te ao pakeha perspectives.
For more information about MERC, please see our website - www.merc.org.nz
He Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the Role
Our operations manager role is the 2IC to our general manager. They lead a team of senior leaders who supervise the daily running our operations and co-ordinators who have additional responsibilities. As a team, they support discharge the operations manager’s responsibilities.
They are a crucial part of our leadership team setting the culture and standard of MERC with our vision and missions front and centre. They will continue to be enthusiastic about facilitating experiences with the team and lead from the front as a safe pair of hands when required.
He Korero mōu - About You
A passion for marine conservation is non-negotiable. You will be team leader looking to further develop your management skills. You will have an insatiable work ethic, be enthusiastic and willing to learn. To be high-quality candidate for this you will have experience in managing a centre and people.
To stand out as a candidate you will:
Align with MERC’s vision and missions
Be aware of the state of our marine environment and hopeful about its future
Value of both matauranga and scientific knowledge.
Regularly recreate with the ocean
Be passionate about safety, quality and marine environmental education
Have experience in facilitation
Embrace learning opportunities for yourself
Promote an open-minded attitude in alignment with Te Tiriti
Have experience in providing advice and insight to managers
Thrive in and build a high-performance culture
Have worked in facilities similar to MERC
Be able to follow and lead
Requirements
Ethical standards in-line with MERCs values and mission and willing to get stuck in;
Outdoor First Aid qualified;
VHF certificate;
Legally able to work in New Zealand;
Screened, vetted, and employed in accordance with the Safe Employment Policy. This will include a police check.
Indicative timeline
If this sounds like you, please apply with a Cover Letter and CV through Seek by 20 November 2026
Interviews and shortlisting 25 November 2026 – 5 December2026
Psychometric testing 9-13 December 2026
Appointment week of 16 December 2026
If you have any questions about this role, please contact [email protected]
Employer questions
Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in New Zealand?
Do you own or have regular access to a car?
Do you have experience working with children?