Human Resources Manager
University of Canterbury Students' Association (UCSA)
Christchurch | Part-Time (0.5 FTE) | Permanent
Help Shape an Exceptional Workplace for One of Canterbury's Most Diverse Organisations
Are you an experienced HR professional who thrives on providing trusted advice, building positive workplace cultures, and supporting leaders to get the very best from their people?
The University of Canterbury Students' Association (UCSA) is seeking a Part-Time Human Resources Manager to play a key role in developing our people, culture, and organisational capability. This is an exciting opportunity for a senior HR practitioner who enjoys both strategic thinking and hands-on delivery, working across a diverse organisation with more than 200 staff and a mission that genuinely makes a difference.
About UCSA
Te Rōpū Akonga ō Te Whare Wānanga ō Waitaha | University of Canterbury Students' Association (UCSA) exists to help students succeed and belong. Established in 1894, UCSA is a registered charitable not-for-profit organisation that provides advocacy and welfare services, health services, early learning centres, clubs support, events, media, hospitality venues and other commercial activities that help support its mission.
Our Vision: Empowering Student Success and Wellbeing.
Our Mission: Helping students succeed and belong.
The Opportunity
Reporting to the Head of Finance, People & Technology, this is a strategically focused and highly practical role that provides professional HR leadership and advice across the organisation. You will partner closely with senior leaders, managers and the Student Executive to deliver people strategies, improve organisational capability, and ensure HR best practice remains at the heart of everything we do.
What You’ll Do
Partner with Leaders
Provide trusted HR advice and support to senior leaders and managers.
Build strong relationships across the organisation and contribute to strategic planning processes.
Help leaders navigate people challenges while fostering a high-performance culture.
Lead Recruitment & Talent Acquisition
Develop engaging job advertisements that attract high-quality candidates.
Support managers throughout recruitment, selection and onboarding.
Maintain employment agreements, position descriptions and recruitment systems.
Drive Learning & Development
Identify capability and training needs across teams.
Coordinate learning opportunities and relationships with training providers.
Support Performance & Organisational Development
Coach managers through performance management processes.
Support change initiatives and organisational improvement activities.
Champion Wellbeing & Engagement
Coordinate engagement initiatives and staff surveys.
Promote workplace wellbeing and positive employee experiences.
About You
A tertiary qualification in Human Resources or a related discipline.
5–8 years’ experience in a human resources role within a service-focused environment.
Strong knowledge of New Zealand employment relations and employment legislation.
Experience providing specialist HR advice to leaders and managers.
Excellent communication, relationship-building and influencing skills.
Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.
A proactive, solutions-focused approach.
Why Join UCSA?
Make a meaningful contribution to student success and wellbeing.
Join a values-driven organisation with a strong sense of purpose.
Work alongside passionate and committed colleagues.
Influence organisational culture, leadership capability and employee experience.
Enjoy a flexible part-time (0.5 FTE) arrangement.
Apply Now
Applications should include a cover letter and CV outlining your suitability for the role. Applications will be considered and reviewed as they are received.
UCSA is the University of Canterbury Students’ Association Incorporated. Established in 1894, UCSA is a not-for-profit organisation with charity status. Twelve elected student representatives govern UCSA with the support and guidance of external advisors via an Advisory Board. The UCSA employs up to 280 full-time, part time and casual staff who report through a Chief Executive.
Since its inception the UCSA has grown into a diverse organisation with an annual turnover of around $10.0 million. The UCSA owns a 50% share of the University Book Shop, and has net assets valued at just over $12.0 million.
After the February 2011 earthquake the UCSA moved premises from 90 Ilam Road to the South East Side of the James Hight Library. The Undercroft was redeveloped as a student space, and work is currently being undertaken to replace the facilities and services that were on offer in the old UCSA building.
The UCSA operates a number of other facilities spread around the campus, including cafes at Kirkwood village (Kirkwood cafe), Dovedale Ave Campus (Collective) and in the Law (Alibi) and Engineering (Eng Cafe) buildings.
There is academic advice and support through to social comment and entertainment by way of UCSA’s student magazine, CANTA; from huge events like Orientation, End of Lectures and Tea Party, to Childcare at UCSA’s Early Learning Centres.
This diversity reflects the many services that students have initiated to ensure that the university experience for students at Canterbury is all that it can be.
