Operations & Commercial Manager
Coromandel Peninsula

Brief

This is an opportunity to join a truly distinctive New Zealand organisation operating at the intersection of tourism, conservation, engineering, arts, and visitor experience. Based in the Coromandel, this not-for-profit destination has built a nationally recognised reputation for creating immersive and meaningful visitor experiences through adventure tourism, heritage railway operations, pottery and arts programmes, and environmental restoration initiatives.
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the Operations & Commercial Manager will lead day-to-day operations across multiple visitor-facing and support functions, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality experiences for guests while driving commercial performance and operational excellence.
This is a broad and influential leadership role suited to someone who thrives in dynamic environments, enjoys balancing strategic thinking with operational delivery, and is motivated by purpose-led work that creates a genuine impact.

What’s in it for you

• Senior leadership position with direct influence on organisational strategy, operational performance, and future growth
• Opportunity to lead a diverse operation spanning tourism experiences, adventure activities, heritage rail, arts programming, and visitor services
• Work within an organisation recognised for its commitment to conservation, sustainability, creativity, and innovation
• Significant scope to contribute to the development of new visitor experiences, tourism products, and commercial initiatives
• Collaborative leadership environment where ideas, initiative, and continuous improvement are genuinely valued
• Opportunity to work on projects that combine tourism, environmental stewardship, engineering heritage, and creative experiences in a way few organisations can offer
• Lead and mentor multidisciplinary operational teams across customer experience, administration, adventure operations, and support services
• Lifestyle location offering a balance of meaningful work, community connection, and outdoor living

Non-Negotiables

• Proven senior operations leadership experience within tourism, hospitality, visitor attractions, adventure tourism, or another complex service-based environment
• Strong commercial and financial management capability, including budgeting, reporting, operational expenditure management, and revenue growth initiatives
• Demonstrated experience leading multi-functional teams and fostering high-performing workplace cultures
• Strong understanding of health and safety systems, compliance, and operational risk management
• Experience driving operational improvements, systems implementation, and process efficiencies
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to build strong internal and external relationships
• Ability to operate strategically while remaining hands-on in day-to-day operational leadership
• Experience delivering high-quality customer or visitor experiences in fast-paced operational environments
• Strong organisational capability, sound judgement, and a proactive leadership approach

Desirables

• Experience within eco-tourism, rail operations, adventure tourism, arts organisations, or heritage-based attractions
• Exposure to payroll, accounts administration, or operational finance processes
• Experience contributing to organisational strategy, growth planning, or commercial development initiatives
• Background developing new tourism products, visitor experiences, or revenue-generating initiatives
• Experience managing recruitment, onboarding, training, and staff development programmes
• Understanding of New Zealand tourism trends and regional visitor markets
• Genuine interest in sustainability, conservation, community engagement, or creative industries
• Experience working within purpose-led, charitable, or values-driven organisations

Next Steps

If you’re an experienced operational leader looking for a role that combines commercial performance, people leadership, strategic contribution, and meaningful visitor experiences, we’d welcome a confidential conversation. Please click apply or reach out to catherine@84recruitment.co.nz or call 027 560 9100.