Project Manager - Project Tūhono

Lead something new. Build something meaningful. Help shape what comes next.

Hāpai Tūhono is a kaupapa Māori organisation creating pathways that put aspiration, capability and whānau at the centre.

We’re looking for an experienced Project Manager to take the lead on Project Tūhono – an innovative Māori-led workforce and capability initiative designed to strengthen connections between Māori professionals and Māori organisations across Aotearoa.

This isn’t a project where everything has already been figured out.

You’ll be working at the exciting end of innovation – taking an idea through pilot, testing, refinement and implementation, while bringing together people, technology, data and kaupapa Māori.

You’ll help turn the vision into something that works in the real world.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll lead Project Tūhono from planning through to pilot and implementation, keeping the kaupapa moving while making sure the people involved remain at the heart of it.

Your mahi will include:

• Leading project planning, milestones, risk management and delivery
• Taking the Project Tūhono digital platform through pilot, testing and refinement
• Coordinating technical partners, project workstreams and internal leadership
• Building trusted relationships with Māori professionals, SMEs, Not-For-Profits and the Creative Arts Sector
• Bringing participants into the pilot and supporting their journey from onboarding through to platform adoption
• Facilitating hui, feedback loops and user testing
• Turning participant feedback and insights into practical improvements
• Working alongside platform developers to translate real-world needs into clear requirements
• Monitoring delivery, user experience and platform improvements
• Supporting evaluation, Social Return on Investment (SROI) and impact reporting
• Presenting progress and insights to leadership, partners, funders, boards and networks
• Ensuring tikanga Māori, Māori data expectations, confidentiality and community safety are embedded throughout the project

Most importantly, you’ll make sure Project Tūhono remains human-centred, culturally grounded and useful to the people it was created for.

Who we’re looking for

You’ll probably be someone who can comfortably move between a project plan, a hui, a boardroom and a conversation with a developer – without losing sight of the kaupapa.

You’ll bring:

• 3+ years’ experience in project management, programme leadership or a similar role
• Experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder projects
• Strong relationship-building and facilitation skills
• Experience working within Māori organisations or kaupapa Māori environments
• Confidence engaging with SMEs, NFPs, creative organisations and professional networks
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to keep multiple workstreams moving
• Confidence working with digital platforms, technology partners or tech-enabled projects
• The ability to listen, adapt and turn feedback into action
• Integrity, humility and a genuine commitment to kaupapa Māori

You don’t need to be a developer – but you do need to be comfortable working alongside technical people and helping bridge the gap between people, kaupapa and technology.

Why Hāpai Tūhono?

You’ll be joining a team that is prepared to try new things, challenge traditional approaches and build solutions around the aspirations of Māori.

This is an opportunity to:

• Lead a kaupapa with the potential for impact across Aotearoa
• Help shape a new initiative from its early stages
• Work alongside Māori organisations, professionals and communities
• Influence the development of a new digital platform
• Be part of a supportive, kaupapa-driven team
• Grow professionally while doing mahi with purpose

Competitive remuneration will be offered based on skills and experience.

A little mystery is involved…

Project Tūhono is currently in development, so there are parts of the kaupapa we’re not quite ready to share publicly.

Shortlisted applicants will be required to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) before we open the doors and take you deeper into the project.

If you’re an experienced Project Manager who loves bringing people, ideas and moving parts together – and you want your next project to mean something – we’d love to hear from you.

For a copy of the Job Description please email: [email protected]