COO/Director of Operations/2iC

Organisation Description

Eastbay REAP is a lifelong learning and community development non-profit, one of 13 REAPs around Aotearoa. We provide hundreds of learning activities to thousands of children, families, educators, and community groups each year. Our community-led mandate to collaboratively broker, develop, and deliver relevant learning is globally unique. Eastbay REAP's approach is responsive, filling gaps in rural education and championing the human right to quality education for the most vulnerable.

We see lifelong learning as a cycle breaker for poverty, racism, and inequity - a human right that unlocks all other rights so we can improve intergenerational wellbeing for our people.

Ideal Applicant / Skills & Competencies

Eastbay REAP is looking for a grounded, capable, people-savvy human to help lead our organisation. This is a hands-on, senior role for someone who can confidently set up people, projects, and systems to thrive. Keeping things running smoothly is the focus. Reporting to the CEO, you’ll ensure our growing organisation stays flexible and responsive, so operations are an enabler to success. You’ll be an expert relationship builder and systems thinker who helps the team adapt to change. Complexity is a daily feature.

What you’ll be doing in the role:  Leading day-to-day operations across several sites  Strategic problem solving for 20+ government contracts  Overseeing administration, H&S, facilities, and systems  Monitoring budgets, procedural realities, and reporting  Shaping organisational culture and developing people

We’re looking for some key skills and strengths in candidates:  Confident team leader with a values-led approach  Understanding of smart business operations is critical  Excellent listener, communicator, and coach  Experience balancing the needs of people and budgets  Confidence in IT, Xero, and/or database systems* *NB: You needn’t be personally experienced with all technical systems relevant to a modern non-profit, but you should be confident to learn at speed in the role with a team around you.

As a member of the REAP team, you’ll need authentic practices:  Open and honest collaborator who can be inclusive  Flexible mindset, able to step in and support any time  Commitment to a bicultural and Tiriti-led approach  Adaptable to recognise the context of staff and learners

Organisational purpose and values are hugely important for us – if you’re not sure if you tick all the boxes but feel you are aligned to our kaupapa – apply anyway! We’d love to hear from you.

Application Information

For a copy of the Information Pack, please contact our CEO – ryan@eastbayreap.org.nz – or call Ryan (027 361 6453) to make a time for a chat kanohi-ki-te-kanohi (face-to-face). Interested applicants should send a cover letter and CV with relevant experiences to the e-mail above no later than 12pm Tuesday 28th April 2026. Applicants can expect a two-stage application process, with interviews planned for week of 11th May.