We're hiring
Help make the Queenstown Lakes world-leading in shared and active travel.
The Lightfoot Initiative is a local charity working to make it easier, safer and more appealing for people in our district to walk, bike, scoot, share rides and use public transport. We run community programmes, events and education. We also bring together the people and organisations needed to change how our communities move around.
In 2025 we launched an ambitious ten-year strategy built on four pillars: Inspire, Engage, Connect and Sustain. We're now looking for an experienced Operations Manager to help us deliver it.
The role at a glance
Location
Queenstown Lakes
Hours
Part-time, 20 hours per week
Term
12-month fixed term
Reports to
Chief Executive
Applications close
Friday 10 November 2026
The role
Reporting to the Chief Executive, you'll lead the day-to-day running of Lightfoot and make sure our work programme is delivered well, on time and within budget. You'll manage a small team, including our Events Coordinator and OneBike Lead, and oversee our contractors and volunteers.
The role combines strong operational leadership with hands-on community engagement. Alongside the wider team, you'll get out into the community, building relationships and supporting our events. It's a 20-hour-a-week role with flexibility, but it does include some evening and weekend work for community events and bi-monthly Board meetings.
You'll be
- Getting out into the community to build relationships with residents, schools, businesses and partners, and representing Lightfoot at events and speaking engagements
- Leading, motivating and developing a small, diverse team, and growing our volunteer base
- Overseeing delivery of our programmes and campaigns so they meet our KPIs and our commitments to funders
- Running people processes such as recruitment, induction, training and performance reviews
- Supporting the CE with budgets, financial reporting, risk management and compliance
- Leading health and safety across our people, events and activities
- Building strong relationships with our wider community partners and stakeholders
- Finding ways to improve our systems and processes as we grow
About you
- Confident putting yourself out there: you enjoy meeting people, starting conversations and building relationships across the community
- Comfortable presenting and speaking at events
- Flexible about when you work, including some evenings and weekends
- Senior experience in operational delivery, ideally in a not-for-profit, community or programme environment
- A people leader who brings energy, clarity and care to a small team
- Highly organised and confident with systems and technology
- Comfortable working with budgets and supporting financial management
- An excellent communicator who works well with a wide range of people
- Strong cultural competence and a commitment to equitable outcomes for Māori and all communities
- A self-starter with drive, integrity and adaptability
- A genuine passion for active travel, sustainability and positive community change
Why Lightfoot?
This is a chance to shape how one of New Zealand's fastest-growing districts moves. You'll join a small, committed team where your work makes a visible difference. We support flexible working and provide a welcoming and inclusive team culture.
You'll be guided by our values:
Equity
Kaitiakitanga
Global Responsibility
Community
Cumulative Action
To apply
Send your CV and a cover letter to our Chief Executive, Lana Cruickshank, at [email protected] by Friday 30 October 2026.
In your cover letter, tell us why this role appeals to you and how you'd approach the community-facing side of it. Applications will be reviewed as they arrive, so we encourage you to apply early.
Applicants must have the right to work in New Zealand.
Position description
Read the full position description for more detail on the role and what it involves.
Want a confidential chat?
Talk to Lana about the role before you apply.
Lana Cruickshank
Chief Executive
[email protected]