Manager First Aid Education, Products and Compliance

Permanent, Full-time (37.5 hours per week)

Flexible location: Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch

About the role – Kōrero mō te tūranga

New Zealand Red Cross is looking for an energetic and commercially minded leader to provide strong leadership and oversight across our First Aid education, products, and compliance portfolios. Reporting to the Director First Aid, this senior role is a key member of the First Aid Management Team and will help shape high-quality, fit-for-purpose products and training programmes that support communities across Aotearoa New Zealand.

You will lead the end-to-end management of First Aid portfolios, including medical First Aid and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support training programmes, AEDs, first aid kits and consumables. This is an opportunity to bring strategic thinking, people leadership and product oversight together to ensure our offerings are high quality, commercially viable, compliant and responsive to customer and market needs.

We are flexible about location for this role; however, our preference is for the successful candidate to be based at one of our main New Zealand Red Cross Service Centres in Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch. 

In this role you will: 

• Provide strategic leadership and coordination of the First Aid training and products portfolios, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities, and adherence to regulatory compliance requirements.
• Lead, coach and develop a team to deliver high-quality outcomes aligned with organisational priorities.
• Oversee the design, review and continuous improvement of training programmes, curricula, assessments and learning resources.
• Ensure products and programmes meet customer needs, market expectations, regulatory requirements and commercial objectives.
• Work collaboratively with internal teams and external stakeholders, including regulatory and education bodies.
• Support strong governance, risk management, quality assurance and reporting across the portfolios.
• Contribute to sustainable growth in First Aid training and product offerings while upholding Red Cross values and standards.

Who are we looking for? – Mā‎ wai te mahi nei?

We are looking for a confident, inclusive, and proactive leader who brings energy, curiosity and sound judgement to complex portfolios. You will be comfortable working across education, product development, compliance and commercial environments, and able to turn strategy into practical action.

You will be someone who builds trusted relationships, leads with clarity and care, and can influence across teams to deliver consistent, high-quality outcomes. A commitment to inclusion, learner experience, continuous improvement and the humanitarian kaupapa of New Zealand Red Cross will be central to your success. 

To be successful you will have: 

• Proven people leadership experience, with an inclusive, open and transparent leadership style.
• Experience leading product portfolios, education programmes, compliance functions, or related commercial operations.
• Sound understanding of education and training delivery, learning quality and continuous improvement.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, influencing, and communication skills.
• Financial acumen and experience developing or managing budgets.
• Strategic and critical thinking skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple portfolios and priorities.
• Strong project management capability, ideally with experience using Agile approaches.
• A tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline, or equivalent experience in a business environment.
• Knowledge of medical devices within a commercial context, or experience in a commercial education environment, would be an advantage.
• A current driver licence and the flexibility to undertake domestic travel as required.

About New Zealand Red Cross

New Zealand Red Cross is part of the world's largest humanitarian network, with over 13,000 members and employees dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable people by mobilising the power of humanity and increasing community resilience.

Guided by our Fundamental Principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality, we support people in times of need and help strengthen their resilience.

We are committed to having an accessible, diverse, inclusive, and barrier-free work environment where everyone can reach their full potential. We encourage all qualified persons who share our values and want to contribute to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace to apply.   

Why work with us? 

At New Zealand Red Cross, you’ll join a passionate and diverse team that values your contributions and shares your commitment to making a difference.

We are committed to represent the communities we serve, increasing diversity throughout our people and leadership, and creating a flexible and healthy work environment. Many roles offer flexible virtual/hybrid options to help our employees balance their personal and professional priorities.  

Our benefits include: 

• Five weeks annual leave
• Career development opportunities 
• Annual flu vaccinations 
• Discounts on Southern Cross health insurance  

We also encourage employee networks, including Takatāpui and Rainbow Network, Rōpū Hāpai Māori and the Sustainability Network, to foster connection and collaboration across our diverse workforce.

Click below to download the job description and to apply for this position please click the 'Apply Now' button to be taken to the New Zealand Red Cross Careers page. If you are already viewing this via the New Zealand Red Cross Careers page, please click the active job description link below.  

Please submit your application online, as we’re unable to accept direct applications. Your application must include the following documentation:

• A recent copy of CV/Resume 

• Cover Letter 

• Passport 

• Legal Right to Work In New Zealand  

You must have the right to live and work in New Zealand to be considered for this job. Applications close at 05:00 pm on 06/08/2026. 

If you wish to discuss this opportunity or for further information, please contact Carol Gardiner at carol.gardiner@redcross.org.nz   

Note: We reserve the right to close applications before the closing date, so please register your interest early. 

Click here for the Job Description