Kaiwhakahaere

Matua | Director

Full Time

Tāmaki Makaurau (Hybrid) | $112,360 per annum | National Leadership Role

Applications close Wednesday 24 December at 11:59pm, apply now!

Lead advocacy. Strengthen foundations. Champion rangatahi futures.

RainbowYOUTH is seeking a courageous, grounded and visionary Kaiwhakahaere Matua to lead our national advocacy, people, operations and strategic direction. This is a pivotal moment for our organisation. Our 2025–2035 Strategy sets a bold new course focused on strengthening our foundations, deepening Te Tiriti partnerships and uplifting the voices and futures of takatāpui, MVPFAFF+ and LGBTQIA+ rangatahi.

If you are driven by justice, guided by Te Tiriti o Waitangi and motivated to influence systems change for young people, this role offers a rare opportunity to make a genuine national impact.

About RainbowYOUTH

RainbowYOUTH is a youth-led, youth-centred charity supporting queer, gender diverse, takatāpui and intersex young people across Aotearoa. For more than 30 years we have provided support services, safe spaces, education, advocacy and community building that centres the wellbeing and mana of rainbow rangatahi.

Our vision
An Aotearoa where every mokopuna, takatāpui, MVPFAFF+ and LGBTQIA+ young person grows as their most authentic self and thrives as part of their whānau.

Our values

Kotahitanga
Partnership - Toitū Te Tiriti
Equity
Ngākaupono - Honesty and Transparency

These guide every part of our mahi.

Why this role matters

Rangatahi Takatāpui, MVPFAFF+ youth, rainbow young people and their whānau need consistent, grounded, and innovative access to services like RainbowYOUTH now, more than ever. RainbowYOUTH is moving forward with confidence into Phase One of our Strategy, Strengthening our Foundations (2025–2028). With solid groundwork already in place, we are focused on expanding our capability, strengthening our people and systems, and ensuring our services reflect the needs of our communities. This includes building our organisational capability, strengthening people and systems, grounding our governance in Te Tiriti and ensuring our services reflect the needs and realities of our communities.

The Kaiwhakahaere Matua will be central to this work. Alongside leading the organisation, you will be one of the key national voices advocating for rainbow rangatahi across education, health, policy and community systems.

This role requires someone who can hold both the humanity and relational depth of community work as well as the clarity, discipline and courage required for systems leadership.

About the role

As Kaiwhakahaere Matua, you will lead advocacy, strategy, operations, financial stewardship, people and culture and sector partnerships.
You will represent RainbowYOUTH nationally, work closely with our Board and lead a small, values-driven team.

Regular domestic travel is expected. Hybrid work options are available. Check out RY’s 2025 - 2035 strategy

Key responsibilities

Advocacy and strategic leadership

Lead RainbowYOUTH’s advocacy agenda across policy, equity and systems change.
Serve as a primary spokesperson for rainbow+ and takatāpui rangatahi.
Develop and deliver the 3-year operational strategy.
Represent RainbowYOUTH in national discussions and collective advocacy work.
Hold and communicate the long-term direction of the organisation.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi leadership

Embed Te Tiriti o Waitangi throughout governance, services, and operations.

Support senior leadership and the organisation to sustain enduring relationships with Māori leaders and communities.
Support the development of takatāpui and tangata Moana impact plans.
Uphold takatāpui wellbeing and leadership as central to our mission.

People and culture

Lead, support and grow kaimahi with safety, clarity and integrity.

Oversee recruitment, onboarding, performance and wellbeing processes.
Ensure inclusive, trauma-aware and anti-oppressive leadership practices.
Ensure compliance with health and safety, privacy and digital security requirements.

Financial and operational stewardship

Lead budgeting, forecasting, reporting and cashflow management.
Nurture strong funder relationships and support grants and philanthropy work.
Ensure compliance with all statutory and reporting obligations.
Work with the Executive Board on financial planning, risk management and sustainability.

Sector, community and stakeholder relationships

Grow relationships across government, iwi, funders, community organisations, corporates and national partners.
Represent RainbowYOUTH nationally and internationally.
Build coalitions that strengthen the wider ecosystem supporting rainbow rangatahi

Skills and experience

Essential

Leadership experience in community, NGO or social sector environments
Strong financial management capability
Experience in advocacy, public voice or systems influence
Comprehensive understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its application
Knowledge of HR, employment law, safety and operational systems
Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
Commitment to equity, social justice and youth development
Understanding and awareness of rainbow, takatāpui and MVPFAFF+communities in Aotearoa

Desirable

Lived experience as part of rainbow, takatāpui or MVPFAFF+ communities
Experience with governance, Boards, or other methods of governing
Background in youth work, social services, education or policy
Experience in Te Tiriti-based organisational change
Experience in media response, crisis management or public communication

Who we welcome

We strongly encourage applications from takatāpui, Māori rainbow communities, MVPFAFF+ Pasifika rainbow communities, trans and non-binary people, intersex people, disabled and neurodivergent people and anyone from communities that experience systemic marginalisation.

What we offer

$112,360 per annum (full-time)
Hybrid and flexible working arrangements
Professional development and leadership support
Wellbeing leave
A values-driven, kaupapa-centred culture
A national platform to create meaningful systems change

How to apply

Please send:

Your CV
A cover letter
A short video introduction (up to 3 minutes)

We ask all applicants to include a video (up to 3 minutes) as part of their application. This helps us get a sense of how you show up in leadership spaces and how you communicate our kaupapa, which is an important part of the Executive Director role.

Your video can be very simple. Just record on your phone, speak in your own style and tell us:

your connection to this mahi
why you want to lead RainbowYOUTH
what kind of leader you are
any lived or learned experience you carry that shapes how you lead

If video is not a comfortable or accessible format for you, please contact us so we can talk about an alternative that works for you. For a confidential conversation, contact Amber Gribble: amber.gribble@ry.org.nz