Te Papa Job Description
Effective Date:
Job Title:
Senior Operations Manager
Directorate:
Collections and Research
Reports to:
Collections and Research Group Director
Direct Reports
Art Team (12)
Total Group Staff
100
TE PAPA’S MISSION & CONCEPT
The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa is a forum for the nation to present,
explore and preserve the heritage of its cultures and knowledge of the natural environment in
order to better understand and treasure the past, enrich the present and meet the challenges
of the future.
Te Papa’s concept is founded on the principles of unified collections, the narratives of culture
and place, the idea of forum, the bicultural partnership between Tangata Whenua and
Tangata Tiriti, and the multidisciplinary approach to delivering a national museum for diverse
audiences.
Within this concept, matters of concern to Te Papa are expressed within the framework of:
Papatüanuku – the earth on which we all live
Tangata Whenua – those who belong to the land by right of first discovery
Tangata Tiriti – those who belong to the land by right of the Treaty of Waitangi
ROLE OF DIRECTORATE
The Collections and Research Directorate is responsible for leading collections
development and management, research, scholarship, and capability in five key curatorial
areas: Art, History, Pacific Cultures, Mätauranga Mäori, and Natural Environment. The
directorate also provides access to and understanding of the collection, and care of the
collections via Collection Services, which includes conservation, imaging and collections
information.
JOB PURPOSE
The position is responsible for operational management across the Group, thereby enabling
the Group Director to focus on building up Te Papa’s research capability, and overall
leadership across the Group and Te Papa more broadly.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
 support for the Group Director particularly in operational strategy and planning
 guidance and support to the Collections and Research managers in the areas of
people, business and project management
 programme management
ACTIVITIES & MEASURES
Support for the Group Director
Main Activities
Success Measure

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Strategic planning and establishing priorities for
the Group – undertaken as a partnership
between the Group Director and the Senior
Operations Manager
Advice and support for the Group Director on an
as required basis
Establishing a plan and strategies for the future
direction of collections in the Collections and
Research Group
Stakeholder management in conjunction with
the Group Director


Group Director enabled to
establish and focus on a research
strategy and a research centre
programme
Establishment of a future direction
and plan for the Collections and
Research collections
Enhanced relationships with key
stakeholders in the Arts and
Heritage sector
Guidance and support to the Collections and Research managers
Main Activities
Success Measure

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Management of the CIA and Art teams and in
particular support for Head of Art
Management and coordination of business
planning, budget management and reporting
within Collections and Research Group in
conjunction with the Group Director
Recruitment: assisting Senior Curators and
managers in recruiting lower level roles
Stakeholder management for Collections and
Research groups, developed and monitored in
conjunction with the Group Director



CIA and Art teams managed
effectively
Enhanced people, business and
project management across the
Group
Enhanced relationships with key
stakeholders
Programme management
Main Activities
Success Measure



Coordination of projects and work programmes
Management of interns and development of a
co-ordinated process for internships

DELEGATED AUTHORITY
Budget authority
$50,000
People delegation
Level 3
An integrated programme of work
across the Group as programmes
of development are initiated and
actioned
Requests for internships handled
effectively and internships
managed effectively
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
Group Directors
Vision Team
Senior Curators
Other C&R staff
All C&R stakeholders
For What Purpose?
Planning and Programme Management
Planning
Management
Programme Management
Stakeholder Management
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
 Strong people and financial management experience
 Museum and/or Heritage experience an advantage
 Programme Management
 Stakeholder Management experience
 Politically savvy, an effective negotiator and influencer, able to achieve positive results
 Capability to develop a strong co-leadership model with the Head of Art
 Previous experience in coaching and mentoring of people
GENERIC COMPETENCIES
Bicultural (Level 2)
Supporting and demonstrating bicultural practice and knowledge including Te Reo, Tikanga
Māori and awareness of Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Being Accountable (Level 3)
Being accountable is taking responsibility for the delivery of the work you are involved in, and
maintaining integrity and ethical standards.
Building Relationships (Level 3)
Building Relationships is working to build or maintain ethical, friendly, warm relationships or
networks of contacts with people who are, or might someday be, helpful in achieving workrelated goals.
Communicating Effectively (Level 3)
Clear and confident communication and presentation of information in ways that are
appropriate to the audience.
Customer Service (Level 3)
“Customer Service” is the desire to help or serve others, to meet their needs. It means
focusing one’s efforts on discovering and meeting the consumer or client’s needs.
“Customer” includes internal and external colleagues, clients, visitors, or anyone that the
person is trying to help.
Management
Leading and managing Te Papa’s people