Manager, Student Transition

• Have you successfully managed complex workloads while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail?
• Are you a student-centred leader who is passionate about creating welcoming, inclusive, and supportive student experiences? 
• Can you provide strategic direction, operational leadership, and drive continuous improvement across student transition services?

Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the role 

Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is currently recruiting for the new position of Mata Eke Panuku - Manager, Student Transition to join the Student Experience and Success team on a permanent, full-time contract.

Key responsibilities:   

• Lead the delivery and continuous improvement of student transition programmes that support engagement, progression and success. 
• Oversee the planning and delivery of New Student Orientation, ensuring an outstanding student experience. 
• Build, coach and lead a high-performing, student-centred team. 
• Use data, student feedback and reporting to drive service improvement and demonstrate impact. 
• Foster collaboration across the University to deliver integrated and innovative student support. 
• Champion student wellbeing and safety, ensuring holistic and responsive support for students.

Ō pūmanawa - About you

You will be an experienced and student-centred leader who can provide strategic direction, operational leadership and continuous improvement across student transition services. In this role you will thrive through your ability to build strong relationships, lead and develop high-performing teams, and work collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders. 

Ideally, you will:

• Bring sound judgement, a commitment to student success, and the ability to balance strategic priorities with operational delivery. 
• Be a highly organised and proactive leader, you will be comfortable using data, student feedback and evidence to inform decision-making, evaluate impact and drive service enhancement. 
• Have excellent communication skills, the ability to influence and inspire others, and a passion for creating welcoming, inclusive and supportive student experiences.
• Demonstrate a commitment to student wellbeing, continuous learning and innovation, and will be adept at managing competing priorities while maintaining a high standard of service delivery in a dynamic environment.

Key requirements:

• An understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its application in an educational context.
• Tertiary degree, or comparable professional experience in a similar role.
• Demonstrated ability to review operational business processes and make improvements to achieve efficiencies. 
• Proven ability to work successfully at a strategic and operational level.
• Proven ability to manage competing and changing priorities and deliver to deadlines.
• Proven ability to foster a value aligned, inclusive and wellbeing focused team culture.
• Proven experience monitoring workloads and successfully developing, motivating and managing staff.
• Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to influence, challenge constructively, and advocate for student needs.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain mutually beneficial relationships to achieve shared outcomes.
• Experience working with large volumes of information at a detailed level.

Role Description: Click here to see further information, including salary details.

If this link is not available, click 'apply' to view this on the University career's page.

Close date for vacancy: 31 July 2026.

Contact details for vacancy: If you have any questions regarding this role, please get in touch with Adrienne McGovern-Faircloth (Adrienne.McGovern-Faircloth@vuw.ac.nz).

How to apply: Please ensure you are applying for this role directly on our careers page and not via email. Candidates must submit supporting documents along with their resume, such as a cover letter.

Applicants who do not have residency or citizenship and require a visa to work at the University must clearly indicate their visa status in their application and understand that if they do not have a current, relevant visa, they will need to secure this independently.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and we may progress with suitable applicants prior to the application closing date. Applications from recruitment agencies are not accepted.

Mō Te Herenga Waka - About Our University

Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is renowned for its high-quality research and exceptional teaching. We attract people from around the world. Our university campus spans Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington - the creative, scientific and political centre of Aotearoa New Zealand - and our students thrive on the connections we have made here.

Explore the many benefits of working at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. Find out where you fit in our strategic direction and learn more about our research expertise.