• Lead a high-performing, purpose-driven organisation
• Stakeholder and system leadership, community impact  
• Bring your warmth, drive, and strategic smarts

Mō mātou | About Us

Aktive exists to get more Aucklanders active, more often and to build the systems, relationships, and environments that make that possible. We invest in and partner with a wide range of organisations to create lasting change.

As a strategic partner of both Sport New Zealand and Auckland Council, Aktive plays a pivotal role in translating national strategy into local impact. We work across a complex ecosystem of funders, delivery partners, iwi and community organisations. Our reach is broad and our relationships are deep.

We are proud of the organisation we have built. Our culture is high-performing and people-centred, our strategy is widely respected, and our stakeholders are highly engaged. The foundations are strong. The opportunity now is to keep the momentum going as Aktive enters the third year of its current four-year strategy.

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

As Chief Executive, you will lead a talented team of around 30 people and hold ultimate accountability for delivering on Aktive’s strategy. You will be the primary steward of our stakeholder relationships, be that with Sport New Zealand, Auckland Council, our regional investment partners, philanthropic donors, and mana whenua, and will ensure Aktive continues to be valued as the key strategic leader in our region.

Excitingly, this is an evolution role, not a turnaround. Your key priorities will be:

• Strategic leadership: Continue the momentum underway in delivering our 2024-2028 strategy, while positioning the organisation for the future.
• Stakeholder relationships: Maintain and deepen trusted relationships across Auckland’s sport and recreation ecosystem, including with Sport New Zealand, Auckland Council, investment partners, mana whenua, funders, and delivery partners.
• People and culture: Sustain a high-performing, high-trust executive team and organisational culture that consistently delivers results.
• Funder confidence: Reinforce Aktive’s impact and value to Auckland and linked to this, return on investment to our funders.
• Board partnership: Work closely with the Board to ensure strong governance, clear accountability, and well-informed strategic decisions.

Ko wai koe | About you

We are looking for a senior leader with the credibility, capability, and drive to lead Aktive through its next chapter. You will bring:

• Sector knowledge: Experience working in or closely adjacent to the sport and recreation sector. You understand how the system works – the language, the relationships, and the funding landscape.
• Relationship leadership at scale: A proven track record of building and sustaining complex, multi-stakeholder relationships at a senior level, including with funders, government, iwi, and community partners.
• Commercial acumen: Proven experience in developing and delivering successful commercial or revenue strategies.
• Senior leadership experience: Experience as a Chief Executive or in a significant senior executive role with whole-of-organisation accountability.
• Strategic acumen: The ability to think ahead, read a complex environment, and make sound decisions about direction, including in the face of funding uncertainty and sector change.
• People and culture leadership: You bring genuine warmth and high expectations. You know how to build trust, hold people accountable, and create the conditions for a team to thrive.
• Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi: You understand Aktive’s commitment to Te Tiriti and are able to actively work to give effect to it in your leadership practice.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

For a copy of the information pack please email Amy Tea at info@amytea.co.nz.

To apply, please email your cover letter and CV (preferably in PDF format) to apply@amytea.co.nz.

Please be assured that a human will carefully read every application. We encourage judicious use of AI.

You must have the right to live and work in Aotearoa New Zealand to apply for this job.

Applications close Sunday 12 July 2026.