Community Support Director

About the role

The Community Support Director ensures the strategic direction and operational plans of Autism New Zealand's community support services are delivered. This role involves overall management responsibility of Autism New Zealand's outreach, education, employment and diagnosis services, ensuring consistent and quality service delivery, identifying opportunities to utilise technology to enhance service delivery, providing strategic leadership to direct report service managers and leads, and proactively identifying service expansion and growth opportunities that align with the strategic plan.

Key responsibilities

• Work with the Senior Leadership Team to develop and implement operational plans for each service based on the strategic plan
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with key stakeholders to facilitate achievement of strategic objectives
• Develop and provide monthly service reporting to track performance, impact and inform decision-making
• Motivate, lead, and empower others to achieve organisational objectives
• Develop leadership capability, strengthen organisational culture, and support change initiatives
• Promote continuous improvement, innovation, collaboration, and workforce wellbeing through coaching, mentoring, and leadership development
• Ensure service managers and leads engage together regularly and build relationships between services
• Oversee all service delivery staff performance ensuring all staff perform their jobs to a high standard
• Identify gaps and opportunities for utilising technology across services and lead planning, implementation and evaluation of technology-driven improvements
• Work with service managers and leads to identify needs in line with the operational plan and budget priorities

About you

• Knowledge of, and experience of autism and related conditions
• Leadership experience
• Ability and experience in developing and implementing strategic and operational plans
• Experience in implementing technology change management
• Experience in recruiting and managing staff
• Strong organisational skills
• Ability to manage competing demands
• Ability to analyse complex policy issues, draw sound and astute conclusions and communicate clear directions and ideas to staff and colleagues
• Experience in sourcing and securing funding from various sources
• Highly competent in use of Word, Excel, Outlook/Email, Database, and other administration systems and processes
• Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi

About us

Autism New Zealand's vision is empowering the autistic and autism communities. Our purpose is 'Every Step Together' - providing services and support, education and information to enable autistic people and the wider autism community to make informed choices, and to advocate for a society where autistic people are valued and supported.

Inclusive workplace: Autism New Zealand prides itself on being an inclusive workplace. We have processes in place to collaborate with all employees on workplace accommodations and support. We encourage autistic and other neurodivergent people to apply for roles at Autism New Zealand; we also respect each individual's choices around disclosure of their autistic or neurodivergent status.

How to apply

Applications close Sunday 27th September 2026.

For more information on Autism New Zealand, visit our website www.autismnz.org.nz

For enquiries or a full job description, you are welcome to contact [email protected].

Please don't email applications through, please apply through Seek.