Group Manager - Y Sites

It’s fun to work at The Y!

The Y North is looking for an experienced senior operational leader to take responsibility for our Y-owned sites portfolio, including our recreation and fitness operations and Auckland City Hostel.

This is a broad leadership role with accountability for the commercial performance, customer experience, operational performance and long-term sustainability of the portfolio.

You’ll lead through capable Centre and Operational managers rather than run sites yourself. Your focus will be on setting direction, developing leaders, improving performance and identifying opportunities to grow and connect our services.

Applications for this position will be accepted until 12 October 2026. Applications received after the closing date may not be considered.

What will you be doing?

• Lead the operational and commercial performance of a diverse multi-site portfolio.
• Own budgeting, forecasting, financial performance and delivery against agreed targets.
• Drive revenue growth, utilisation, participation and occupancy.
• Lead and develop managers, building accountability, capability and succession.
• Strengthen customer experience and service standards across the portfolio.
• Oversee the Auckland City Hostel, including guest experience, occupancy and commercial performance.
• Look for opportunities to better connect the Hostel with the Auckland City fitness and recreation offering.
• Identify new commercial opportunities, partnerships and ways to grow our customer base.
• Maintain strong operational governance across compliance, health and safety, safeguarding and risk.
• Work closely with Property and Facilities on asset planning, maintenance priorities and investment needs.
• Lead operational improvement, change and strategic projects across the portfolio.
• Work alongside other Group Managers and support teams to create more connected customer experiences across One Y.

What experience/skills do you need?

We’re looking for someone who can operate comfortably at both a strategic and practical level.

• 5 years of senior leadership experience across recreation, hospitality, accommodation, community services, multi-site operations or a similar service environment.
• Strong commercial and financial capability, including budgeting, forecasting and performance management.
• Experience leading complex operational businesses and improving their performance.
• A track record of growing revenue, customers or utilisation.
• Strong people management and the ability to develop capable, accountable managers.
• Experience leading change, operational improvement and significant projects.
• Strong judgement and confidence working across operational risk, compliance and customer issues.
• The ability to build effective relationships with community, commercial and organisational partners.
• A practical, collaborative leadership style and willingness to work across organisational boundaries.

What The Y offers:

• Free gym membership and discounts on The Y services e.g. childcare, holiday programmes, sports leagues, etc.
• Professional development, career advancement and safeguarding training
• Working in a community-focused environment

About The Y:

As a not-for profit, everything we do each day has a positive impact, and we have fun doing it! We believe in the power of inspired and connected communities, where people feel safe and are motivated to reach their full potential. Our values of Caring, Respect, Honesty and Responsibility are at the core of our culture and the valued connections and friendships you’ll build here are lifelong. The Y employees and careers represent many lifestyles and reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, with jobs and hours to suit everyone’s stage of life from 14-70+. Our varied services and activities offer a wide range of career pathways where your development will be supported to help you reach your career goals. Our STAR Awards, Outward Bound scholarship opportunities, and long service recognition reward your contribution. We have benefits to suit your lifestyle, with access to free counselling, free annual flu vaccinations, free gym membership for all employees, and discounts for our services such as early learning centres, before and after school care, camps, swim school and sports leagues.

All applicants must:

• Currently hold the right to work in New Zealand and currently be in New Zealand.
• Return a satisfactory Police Vet before commencement of employment.

The Y North is committed to the safeguarding of children and young people in our care, and it is our expectation that all staff will operate in a way that reflects this intent. Staff will be required to attend Safeguarding workshops, trainings and online modules to comply with The Y North Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy