Public Education Manager

About Coastguard
New Zealand Coastguard New Zealand is a volunteer-based organisation dedicated to saving lives on the water. We support thousands of volunteers across the country by ensuring they have the equipment, resources, and support they need to operate safely and effectively.
  
About the role
Coastguard New Zealand is looking for an experienced Public Education Manager to lead the strategy, quality and performance of our public education and external training portfolio. Based in Auckland, reporting directly to the CEO and leading an Education team of 6+, this is a senior role spanning public education, learning design, academic quality and compliance, external programme delivery and commercial sustainability.

Working across Coastguard and with agencies and sector partners including NZQA, TEC, Maritime New Zealand and NZSAR, you will ensure our education programmes are learner-centred, compliant, commercially viable and responsive to community and sector needs. You will strengthen programme quality and delivery, grow the reach and impact of Coastguard education, and build a capable team that supports our reputation as a trusted provider of maritime and public safety education.
  
What you will do

• Set and deliver Coastguard’s public education and external training strategy, using learner feedback, sector trends and commercial performance to guide priorities.
• Lead the design and continuous improvement of programmes, resources and assessments so they are learner-centred, accessible and aligned with relevant standards.
• Oversee public, user-pays and external training delivery, ensuring programmes are well planned, safely delivered and consistently meet quality and financial expectations.
• Maintain academic quality and compliance across NZQA, TEC, TEO, QMS and funding requirements, including moderation, programme review, reporting and audit readiness.
• Manage education budgets, pricing and resourcing, strengthening commercial sustainability and progressing viable new product, partnership and revenue opportunities.
• Lead and develop the Education team, tutors, assessors and delivery partners, setting clear expectations and building capability and accountability.
• Build trusted relationships with education agencies, funders and sector partners, representing Coastguard credibly and identifying emerging education needs.
• Provide learning design, curriculum and education compliance expertise to internal teams and cross-functional initiatives.
• Lead education projects, systems and new delivery models through structured planning and change management, embedding continuous improvement.

What you will bring

• 8 to 10 years’ experience in education, training, adult learning or learning design, including at least five years in a leadership role.
• Senior-level experience leading education or training programmes, with responsibility for programme quality, delivery and continuous improvement.
• Strong knowledge of NZQA, TEC, TEO, QMS or comparable compliance requirements, with experience in quality assurance, moderation, programme review and audit readiness.
• Capability in learning and programme design, including adult learning principles, assessment quality, and blended and digital delivery.
• Commercial and financial capability, with experience managing budgets, funding requirements, reporting obligations and user-pays training services.
• Proven people leadership skills, including coaching, performance management and capability development across staff, contractors and tutors.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the confidence to work across regulators, funders, sector partners and senior leaders.
• A relevant tertiary qualification, plus an adult teaching, instructional design or learning design qualification, or equivalent practical experience. Maritime, emergency management, volunteer, not-for-profit or public safety experience would be an advantage.

Why Join Coastguard?
You’ll be part of a committed, mission-driven organisation where your work directly supports volunteer lifesavers and contributes to safer waterways across Aotearoa New Zealand.

In addition, we offer a range of benefits to support your wellbeing and help you do your best work:

• Leave and flexibility: Birthday leave; flexible working options (role dependent).
• Health and wellbeing: Flu vaccine vouchers; Southern Cross life, income and critical illness insurance discounts; free, confidential support via our external provider (Vitae).
• Coastguard membership: Free membership for you and your whānau.
• Development and recognition: Career and learning support; staff recognition initiatives; free parking at all Coastguard locations.
• Staff discounts: Boost, Marine Deals, Tower, Explorersafe and more.

How to Apply
If the above sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you. Please apply via the link below and include your CV and a cover letter telling us why you’re a great fit for the role. We review applications as they come in, so don’t wait too long.
  
Applications close: 1 November 2026
  
Coastguard New Zealand is committed to an inclusive workplace where all people feel valued, respected, and able to be their full selves. We encourage applications from across our communities.