Situations Vacant

Yachting New Zealand positions available

Yachting New Zealand people, wellbeing and performance lead

Yachting New Zealand (YNZ) is the national sports organisation supporting sailing in NZ. 

We envisage this as a pivotal leadership role within Yachting New Zealand and Yachting New Zealand’s high-performance team, responsible for championing clear communication, athlete and staff wellbeing, cultural integrity, and campaign education across the entire pathway. 

This role acts as the connective tissue between people, performance, and purpose - fostering a high-trust, values-driven environment where individuals can thrive, grow, and perform at their best. 

The role reports operationally to the high-performance director, ensuring alignment with the high-performance strategy and performance objectives. It also reports directly to the chief executive, reflecting its wider organisational remit and responsibility for system-level wellbeing, cultural integrity, and inclusion.

The role has the following key responsibilities:

• Strengthen communication, and stakeholder engagement across Yachting New Zealand and its high-performance ecosystem.
• Embed a genuine 'people-first' philosophy through proactive wellbeing and HR structures.
• Foster a respectful, empowering culture across the high-performance system.
• Advance holistic development for athletes and coaches aligned with world-class standards.
• Support the campaign management for the high-performance athlete.

It is expected that the successful applicant will have prior experience in a wellbeing/HR role, and/or a high-performance sport environment.

This is a full-time role based at the Yachting New Zealand offices in Milford on Auckland's North Shore.

Click below for a full position description.

To apply, please send a cover letter along with your CV to finance@yachtingnz.org.nz.

Yachting New Zealand high-performance youth coordinator

Yachting New Zealand (YNZ) is the national sports organisation supporting sailing in NZ. This role is supporting the High Performance team in delivering a successful, values-led, and sustainable youth programme that aligns with Yachting New Zealand’s High-Performance vision and shared identity framework. 

This role plays a key part in the operational planning, communication, and execution of the national youth programme, fostering future Olympic success and delivering high-quality experiences for sailors, coaches, and stakeholders.

The successful applicant will work closely with the Youth Manager and the High Performance Athlete Development Manager to ensure the youth programme is well planned, budgeted and communicated. This role also leads the administration and logistics for the YNZ Youth Trials, and Oceanbridge Sail Auckland Regatta together with the YNZ High Performance team, as well as the Youth Sailing World Championships.

The role requires the following key competencies:

• Clear communication and facilitating stakeholder engagement.
• Event delivery and operations.
• Team player that fits with YNZ values.

In addition, the following qualifications are needed:

• Experience in the sport of sailing, ideally in youth or Olympic pathways

• Experience working with young athletes and youth-focused programmes.

This is a full-time role based at the YNZ offices in Milford on Auckland's North Shore. Flexibility is required as there will be some extended hours/weekend commitments, however time in lieu is provided on these occasions.

To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter to finance@yachtingnz.org.nz. 

Yachting New Zealand regional development, safety and compliance manager

Yachting New Zealand is the national sports organisation for sailing and is dedicated to supporting and promoting the sport across New Zealand. We are a small team with our head office based on Auckland’s North Shore.  

We are seeking a passionate and skilled person to join our Yachting New Zealand community delivery team as regional development, safety and compliance manager. This pivotal role involves overseeing safety and compliance across all facets of the sport, fostering positive relationships with your region’s club leaders, promoting Yachting New Zealand programmes, and supporting clubs in engaging with their local communities.

Key responsibilities: 
In this role, you will provide safety and technical guidance to clubs, boat owners, and yacht inspectors. You will manage the Yachting New Zealand safety regulations, category 1-3 safety inspection system, oversee the Yachting New Zealand club safety boat management system, and develop safety boat skipper training systems and create community safety tools.  

In addition to providing safety, compliance, and technical advice, we are looking for someone who is genuinely passionate about sailing and sport development to support sailing and boating clubs. As the face of Yachting New Zealand in your region, you will manage multiple relationships and responsibilities. You will need to work independently and efficiently, developing strong relationships with clubs and helping them achieve their goals and meet the needs of their members.

Requirements: 
The ideal candidate will have a passion for and extensive experience of sailing, including keelboat coastal and offshore racing, cruising and small craft sailing. A strong knowledge of safety regulations and compliance within the sport is crucial. The ability to manage and develop safety systems and training programmes is also required. Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills are necessary as you will be working with a diverse range of people. The ideal candidate should be self-managing, time-efficient, and proficient in delivering professional reports and documents.

This role is based in Auckland.

Application process: 
To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter, specifying which region you are based in along with your relevant skills, experience and qualifications, to finance@yachtingnz.org.nz.

Yachting New Zealand regional development, sustainability and inclusion manager

Yachting New Zealand is the national sports organisation for sailing and is dedicated to supporting and promoting the sport across the country. We are a small team with our head office based on Auckland’s North Shore.  

We are seeking a passionate and skilled person to join our Yachting New Zealand community delivery team as regional development, sustainability and inclusion manager.  

Key responsibilities: 
In this role you will lead the cultural integration of the RŪNĀ programme, support clubs in building strong local relationships with iwi and hapu, develop and monitor strategies for equity, diversity, and inclusion, promote related initiatives within the sailing community, and lead with an understanding of New Zealand’s biculturalism, Te Tiriti o Waitangi. You will also implement environmental programmes in line with Yachting New Zealand’s environmental strategic objectives, including the Clean Club programme.

In addition to providing sustainability and inclusion support and advice, we are looking for someone who is genuinely passionate about sailing and sport development to support sailing and boating clubs. As the face of Yachting New Zealand in your region, you will manage multiple relationships and responsibilities. You will need to work independently and efficiently, developing strong relationships with clubs and helping them achieve their goals and meet the needs of their members.

Requirements: 
The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of New Zealand’s biculturalism, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and cultural diversity, with proven experience in implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in sports or volunteer organisations.

You will possess excellent relationship management and communication skills, with the ability to inspire confidence and trust when building relationships with stakeholders. A passion for sailing and boating is important. The ideal candidate should be self-managing, time-efficient, and proficient in delivering professional reports and documents.

This role is based in Auckland. 

Application process: 
To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter, specifying which region you are based in along with your relevant skills, experience and qualifications, to finance@yachtingnz.org.nz.

Coaching positions available (NZ)

Head Sailing Coach/ Youth Development Officer - Queen Charlotte Yacht Club 

Picton

Are you passionate about inspiring young people and building confidence through sailing? Do you thrive in a leadership role and want to coach in one of the most beautiful sailing environments in New Zealand?

Queen Charlotte Yacht Club (QCYC), located at the heart of the stunning Marlborough Sounds in Picton, is looking for a dynamic and experienced Head Sailing Coach / Youth Development Officer to lead our youth sailing programmes and help grow the future of our club.

This fixed term contract will be from the start of August 2025 through to the start of May 2026. This is a 45 hour a week 5-6 day per week position including most weekends and hours of work are flexible by mutual arrangement. A vehicle will be provided.

To apply, submit your CV and a short cover letter to coach_coordinator@qcyc.org.nz

See more information here: 

Posted 8/7/2025

Centreboard sailing coach - Sail Northland Charitable Trust

Whangārei

Start date: October 2nd 2025 - 30th April 2026 

Sail Northland are looking to appoint an experienced centreboard sailing coach for junior, youth and adult sailors. We are based in stunning Parua Bay, at Whangārei Heads, 2.5 hours north of Auckland, New Zealand. 

Sail Northland is a fun provider of junior Learn to Sail/Race, schools 420 team sailing, and adult Learn to Sail, and delivers a comprehensive Yachting New Zealand  RŪNĀ Kokokaha programme to schools.

We are looking for a media-savvy communicator who can plan and run coaching courses, maintain equipment and provide leadership to our junior coaches and volunteers.

Acceptable qualifications and experience would help.

Work hours are 20-50 hours per week,  flexible and may involve job sharing.

Remuneration by discussion.

With its airport and regular bus connections to Auckland as well as a thriving commercial and retail sector, Whangārei has it covered. Parua Bay in Whangārei Heads, offers a friendly community with easy access to the ocean and harbour.  With beautiful beaches for fishing, surfing and other water sports (including keeler, trailer sport boats and centreboard sailing) Parua Bay is a great place to come and spend the summer.  If you're into tramping, mountain biking or windsurfing, you won’t be disappointed with Mt Manaia and Ocean Beach close by.

Please reply to the Secretary Sail Northland Charitable Trust at sailnorthland@gmail.com.