Business Services Lead

• Permanent, full time and onsite role at Manukau Memorial Gardens
• Step into a leadership role supporting a small team of 4 
• Create trusted working relationships that encourage collaboration and high performance

He angitūtanga: The opportunity

We’re seeking an office manager to join the South Cemeteries team (Manukau Memorial Gardens) as a Business Services Lead. Providing operational leadership to a small team of 4 and to deliver high‑quality, compliant services and amenities.

You’ll provide strong coaching and mentoring to support high performance, a positive work ethic, and a healthy team culture. You would be working closely with the operations team to deliver seamless day‑to‑day services.

As an empathetic and customer‑centred leader with a strong operational focus, you’ll balance the needs of customers, staff, and service delivery in a sensitive environment. The role involves managing relationships with funeral directors and collaborating across multiple channels.

You will lead effectively across competing priorities, motivating and supporting small teams while sustaining morale and engagement and ensuring coordinated, high‑quality service delivery.

You can find the position description  here

The remuneration range is between $ 88,528 -  $90,000 depending on skillset and experience.

Te hiranga o tēnei mahi: Why this role matters

This role is critical to crafting an empathetic, dignified end‑of‑life experience for the communities of Tāmaki Makaurau, supporting people at some of life’s most significant and sensitive moments.

Through strong operational leadership, the role ensures cemetery services are delivered safely and respectfully, with due consideration for cultural expectations and customer needs.By contributing to regional strategy and long‑term asset planning, the role also helps protect and enhance cemetery spaces for current and future generations.

Ngā kawenga matua: Key responsibilities

You will manage relationships, including service contracts and facilities coordination. You will also lead and support a strong, engaged team while maintaining effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders through clear, proactive communication.

Other key responsibilities include:

• Oversee chapel services and facilities operations, ensuring seamless service delivery through proactive management of technology systems and equipment.

• Collaborate with operational staff to support the smooth delivery of daily burial and sexton services, while working across the cemeteries network to provide onsite and remote support to other locations and act as a flexible back‑up resource as required.

• Maintain in depth knowledge of cemetery sites, layouts, features, and regional requirements, applying a comprehensive understanding of the Cemeteries and Crematoria Code of Practice.

• Manage and monitor financial budgets, ensuring expenditure remains within approved parameters and revenue targets are achieved, while supporting market share growth.

He kōrero mōu: About you

We’re looking for someone with a strong customer‑focused ethic and the ability to lead with empathy and sensitivity in a complex service environment. You’ll bring proven experience leading and motivating teams, building constructive relationships, and engaging effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.

Strong communication comes naturally to you, and you’re comfortable overseeing contracts and projects to make sure work is delivered well, on time, and to a standard the community and organisation can be proud of.

What We’re Looking For:

• A degree-level tertiary qualification in Business or management degree

• 5+ years’ leadership/management experience in an operational environment, with proven capability in leading teams and managing people and resources.

• Proven experience leading large work programmes, including contract and project management, with responsibility for financial planning and budget management.

• Knowledge and understanding of the Legislation i.e. Burial and Cremation Act, Health and Safety Act, Local Government Act, Fair Trading, Commerce and Consumer Guarantee Acts.

• Experience working in the cemetery and crematorium sector would be an advantage.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou: What we offer

At Auckland Council, you will join a dynamic, supportive environment where your mahi (work) will directly impact the lives of over 1.7 million Aucklanders. We offer flexible working conditions, a focus on well-being, and a culture of continuous improvement.

We are proud to be recognised for our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. We are accredited by GenderTick, a signatory of the Pride Pledge. These commitments reflect our ongoing efforts to create a workplace where all staff feel valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. 

Together, we can create a Tāmaki Makaurau we can all be proud of. As part of our organisation, please view a range of our:benefits.

Me Tono Ināianei!: Apply Now!

Applications close: Thursday 26th February 2026 at 12am NZDT

Our employer Kiwisaver contribution is additional to base salary offered.

We are reviewing applications on a rolling basis, please apply today to avoid disappointment! With this in mind, we may close off application submission earlier than intially advertised. We will ensure to update our advert with this information, so please keep an eye out on potentially changing deadlines.

If you have any support or access requirements, please advise us when submitting your application so we can assist you.

Auckland Council is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and we are committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application to assist you through the recruitment process.
 
Employees in receipt of salary protection and/or on the predecessor Council terms and conditions of employment, please note that the salary protection and/or predecessor Council terms and conditions, including relocation, apply to your current position. Should you change to a new position (other than any secondment) you will be issued with a new employment letter of offer with current Auckland Council terms and conditions.