Custodial Services Delivery Manager - ARWCF Waikato Hub

About this role

He aha te kai a te Rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero.

What is the food of the leader? It is knowledge. It is communication.

 

• Key site leadership opportunity
• Cohesive, dedicated, diverse ‘one team' approach 
• Strong cultural capability - guide others on their journey

  

Mō te tūnga | About the role

Custodial Services Delivery Manager | Waikato Hub

The Waikato Hub offers a Custodial Services Delivery Manager opportunity with a difference.

Established in May 2025, the Waikato Hub form part of Auckland Region Women's Corrections Facility (ARWCF), operating as satellite units. Its geographic separation creates a unique environment where visible, influential, and innovative leadership is essential.

As Custodial Services Delivery Manager, you will lead and develop custodial teams, strengthening safe and effective practice and supporting positive outcomes for wāhine. You will build strong connections across ARWCF and the wider women's estate, working closely with Pathways and other teams to enable access to rehabilitation, progression and reintegration opportunities.

While key operational areas have traditionally had dedicated management, as a Custodial Services Delivery Manager you will demonstrate the flexibility, skill and agility to lead across all areas as business needs require. You will initially be assigned to a key operational area, with the relevant job description applying, while bringing the capability and potential to work effectively across the broader custodial operation.

You will bring a genuine passion for working with wāhine, developing people and leading meaningful change, coupled with innovative thinking and the ability to turn ideas into practical improvements. Guided by Wāhine: E Rere Ana Ki te Pae Hou and Hōkai Rangi, you will champion culturally and gender-responsive, trauma-informed approaches while maintaining a strong focus on safety and security.

This is an opportunity to shape culture, develop people and lead meaningful and innovative change that makes a lasting difference for wāhine.

Mōu | About you

We are looking for someone who actively role models Ara Poutama Aotearoa values and aligns with our Hōkai Rangi strategy, you will be ready to step up and demonstrate visible leadership joining our whānau at Waikato Hub!

As a leader of leaders, we are looking for you to:

• Know yourself - be an authentic leader, embedding our values into our culture and a role model who is reflective and self-aware.
• Put people at the centre - build strong relationships and networks while also enabling growth in those you lead while also ensuring their wellbeing.
• Develop positive environments - provide a safe and trusted environment that supports outcomes that link into our strategy while embarking on your own cultural journey and leading this with others. 
• Deliver results - build solid partnerships linked to outcomes, removing any barriers to success and empower your team to succeed with a growth mindset approach.
• Position for the future - be more people focussed, courageous and influential while also being curious and innovative.

 

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

We would like to hear from you if you are an experienced leader with:

• In depth knowledge of legislation, policy, assurance, and compliance requirements governing Corrections operations.
• Proven emergency management, operational, financial, and business systems experience at a senior level
• Exceptional communication skills, initiative, and leadership qualities
• Resilience, courage, and determination to influence and succeed at both a strategic and operational level
• A focus on innovation, continuous improvement, and best practice implementation, championing regional and national initiatives
• The commitment to develop staff and improve performance in a change environment
• A high level of understanding and anticipation of political and reputational risk
• The ability to understand & respect different cultural perspectives, particularly in relation to te ao Māori.

 

Ngā painga | The benefits

The salary scale for this role is B2 of Frontline Managers Collective agreement. Employees will be appointed to step 1 of the pay scale $ $116,286.

 

Mō mātou | About us

Ara Poutama Aotearoa - Department of Corrections, where your work will contribute to improving public safety, reducing re-offending, and address the overrepresentation of Māori in correctional facilities. As a values-led organisation, we use the principles of rangatira (leadership), manaaki (respect), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship), and whānau (relationships) to guide our work and achieve the goals of our Hōkai Rangi strategy.

We value inclusion and diversity in our workforce, and as a Public Service organisation we are committed to building a workforce that reflects the public we serve. We strive to make our recruitment process fair, and we encourage you to discuss reasonable accommodations with us if required. 

Tono ināianei | Apply Now

To submit an application and view the position description, click the apply link. All applications must be submitted through our careers site to ensure transparency – applications received via email will not be considered.

When applying, submit a tailored CV and a cover letter describing your motivation for joining the department highlighting relevant skills and experience and the alignment to our work.

Applications close on: Sunday 18^th October 2026

If you have any questions or want to learn more about a career with us, contact Vera on MahiWaikeria@corrections.govt.nz , or visit careers.corrections.govt.nz.