Service Manager - Education & Disability

Be the Connection who leads the change

Some roles manage a team. This helps build a system that works.

As Service Manager - Enabler at Kaikaranga, you will lead a brand-new wraparound service designed to support disabled and neurodiverse tamariki under 12 who have been stood down or excluded from school.

You will lead the Kaitūhono team, drive continuous improvement, and work across education, disability, health, and community sectors to remove the barriers that have kept tamariki out of learning.

What you will be doing

• Leading, supporting, and developing a team of Kaitūhono delivering high-quality wraparound support to tamariki
• Building and maintaining strong partnerships across the Ministry of Education, health, disability, and community sectors
• Managing risk, escalations, and complex situations with confidence and care
• Overseeing commissioning resources to fill gaps where services don't yet exist
• Driving evidence-informed practice and contributing to system-level change
• Assisting in shaping a learning-focused service from the ground up

What you will bring

• Leadership experience in disability, education, health, or community services – with a focus on education and disability
• A track record of working across complex systems and getting things done within them
• The ability to build credibility and lasting relationships with a wide range of partners and stakeholders
• Strong knowledge of the challenges facing disabled and neurodiverse tamariki in the education system
• A commitment to equity, Kaupapa Māori approaches, and culturally responsive practice

What you will get

• The rare opportunity to lead a new service and help shape it from day one
• A supportive, diverse organisation with genuine people-first values
• Ongoing learning and development, EAP and staff benefits
• A workplace that welcomes, supports and thrives on difference

We warmly welcome applications from Māori, Pasifika, and people with lived experience of disability in the education system.

We are proud to be a diverse, equal opportunity employer. We believe our workforce should reflect the communities we serve.

If you have questions prior to applying, contact Paula on 0272 995 622 or on email at paula.henriques@kaikaranga.org.nz.

Why not become the connection?  Apply here.