National Lifesaving Manager

Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) is a Not for Profit organisation and the National Association representing 74 Surf Life Saving Clubs. Today a little over 18,000 people are members of SLSNZ that save over 500 lives every year. Providing beach patrols on over 80 of New Zealand’s busiest beaches each summer is just part of what we do. Being a proactive lifesaving service, sporting organisation and providing a range of education programmes ensures that we keep New Zealand’s favourite playground safe for everyone.

Due to an organisational restructure, SLSNZ has an exciting opportunity for someone with a suitable lifesaving and management background to become the national lead for developing and overseeing all SLSNZ Lifesaving related activities and the delivery of a SLSNZ Lifesaving Strategic Plan. Reporting to the Chief Operations Officer the National Lifesaving Manager will oversee the co-ordination and delivery of a national lifeguard service through both volunteer and paid lifeguards as well as having a functional responsibility for the Regional Lifesaving Managers and an oversight of the delivery of the regional lifesaving plan.

Some of the other key responsibilities of the role will be to;

• Provide leadership, management and support to those responsible for the delivery of volunteer Lifeguard Services by Clubs, thereby creating a positive volunteer Lifesaving culture that has a strong safety ethos to deliver better outcomes for the public and membership;
• Work closely with the Club & Volunteer Development Manager and Regional Managers to ensure suitable standardised contracts are in place with Local Government for the provision of paid lifeguard services;
• Develop a strong Safety, Welfare and Risk Management culture within all Club and Regional Lifeguard Teams, ensuring any Lifesaving training follows SLSNZ and NZSAR HSMS protocols and is compliant with HSWA obligations;
• Work with the National Coastal Safety Manager to ensure lifesaving services are provided around the coast of NZ where there is an evidence based need and to a prescribed evidence based formula;
• Ensure all Lifesaving related policies and procedures are clearly written, regularly updated and appropriate for the Lifesaving activities that are being undertaken;
• Work with the SLSNZ Education Team and Regional Teams to ensure the effective review, development and delivery of an SLSNZ lifesaving training framework and development pathway for both volunteer and paid lifeguards;
• Play a key role in the development and co-ordination of the relationships, agreements and initiatives with common interest with other Emergency Service organisations (including but not limited to NZ Police, Coastguard NZ, St John), that relate to SLSNZ’s lifesaving activities;
• Work with the Volunteer & Club Development Manager to coordinate and manage Lifesaving member recognition programmes, including nominating individuals and clubs for the relevant lifesaving awards;
• Manage and coordinate the work of the National Lifesaving Committee. Support the work of the Powercraft Advisory group, Education Advisory group and local Lifesaving Committees;
• Be a media spokesperson for SLSNZ Lifesaving operations & Beach Safety; 

This is a permanent position. The location has some flexibility – but would need to be based in an SLSNZ office.