Position Title Compassion Housing Manager
Reports to Co-CE Tumu Whakarae or as delegated to the Mission Delivery Lead, SOCG
Date April 2025
Location Compassion Housing, Upper Hutt
Employment Permanent full time
Background – Kōrero Whakapapa
The Sisters of Compassion, also known as the Daughters of Our Lady of
Compassion, was founded by Meri Hōhepa – Suzanne Aubert in 1892 at
Hiruhārama – Jerusalem on the Whanganui River. As New Zealand’s first
home-grown Catholic order with Papal recognition, the Sisters cared for
children, the sick, and the elderly throughout Aotearoa New Zealand and
the South Pacific for over a century.
Today, inspired by the faith and action of Meri Hōhepa – Suzanne Aubert,
we continue our gospel mission by providing compassionate care in the
community. We work with volunteers and partners to o8er meals,
housing, and dignity to those in need, and to support refugees.
We provide hospitality (manaakitanga) and education (akoranga) in the
way of Christ as exemplified by Meri Hōhepa – Suzanne Aubert to
schools, visitors, pilgrims, and groups that utilize our facilities at the
Home of Compassion, Island Bay. Additionally, we promote spiritual
formation and wellbeing through prayer, contemplation, and retreat.
Consistent with the history of the mission to and with Māori our
organisation remains committed to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Our services are spread across locations including Island Bay –
Wellington, Upper Hutt, Horowhenua – Levin, and Hiruhārama –
Jerusalem on the Whanganui River, where we nurture our founding story.
Position Summary – He Whakarāpōpototanga mō te Tūranga
Based in Upper Hutt at our Compassion Housing o8ice, with the possibility to negotiate
working from home as an alternative, the purpose of the Compassion Housing Manager
is to manage and oversee Compassion Housing mission operations and services in both
the Hutt Valley and Horowhenua. This includes ensuring the optimal operation and
management of Compassion Housing’s responsibilities as a community housing
provider, aligning with the organisation’s policies, financial goals, and regulatory and
audit requirements. This role encompasses comprehensive property and tenancy
management, adherence to legislative standards and regulations, the promotion of a
positive tenant service experience, and preparation of budgets and reports for the CE and
Compassion Housing Limited Board and related entities. The position also includes
responsibilities for health, safety, and privacy management, ensuring a hands-on
approach to maintaining and enhancing the quality of community housing services
provided.
Key Responsibilities – Ngā Matua Haepapa
Primary (overall) responsibilities:
• To manage housing stock and operate the organisation in the best interests of
the Sisters of Compassion Group (SOCG) and Compassion Housing Limited and
in alignment with financial goals in accordance with Compassion Housing
budgets, policies and procedures.
• Compliance with and meeting the Performance Standards as set out in the
Housing Restructuring and Tenancy Matters (Community Housing Provider)
Regulations.
• Compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and all legislative requirements.
• The e8ective day to day operation, administration, management and control of
properties and tenancies within the responsibility of Compassion Housing
Limited.
• Management of all other legislative and regulatory Compassion Housing Limited
responsibilities.
• Maintaining e8ective positive and missional/pastoral engagement with tenants,
with an attitude in keeping with the SOCG mission and values.
• Providing hands on management and leadership.
• Act as the Health and Safety and Privacy O8icer for Compassion Housing.
• Support the Co CE I Tumu Whakarae to maintain good working relationships with
the community housing sector, government, and wider networks to support our
mission.
Key responsibilities:
1. Leadership and Team Management:
• Work constructively and collaboratively as part of the wider Sisters of
Compassion Group team.
• Provide e8ective team leadership to the Assistant Compassion Housing
Managers, Advocate Nurse/Support Workers, contractors, vendors, and
volunteers, ensuring they meet their position objectives and
responsibilities.
• Foster a safe and e8ective work culture in alignment with the mission,
and values of SOCG.
• Identify, manage and report on organisational risk.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with other community
housing providers and stakeholders to ensure continuous learning and
improvement and to identify opportunities for partnership and
collaboration.
• Ensure that work practices are informed by the principles of the Treaty of
Waitangi.
• Contribute a tenancy management perspective to financial business
plans and proposals for new projects.
2. Property and Asset Management:
• Manage and continuously update Property and Asset plans.
• Oversee property and asset management, including maintenance and
renovation.
• Ensure effective tenancy management, including scheduling and
undertaking property inspections.
• Manage risk and disaster recovery of all assets.
• Manage insurance for all properties and assets (with SOCG).
• Manage 4 Palmer Street maintenance (with Palmer Crescent Coordinator).
3. Regulatory and Compliance Management:
• Keep abreast of, document, and manage all governance and operational
regulatory/compliance requirements.
• Ensure management is in accordance with company policies, the Privacy
Act, the Residential Tenancies Act and other applicable legislative and
regulatory frameworks.
• Maintain accurate, compliant, and up-to-date records.
• Ensure e8ective use of the Best Practice Guide for Community Housing
in NZ.
4. Financial Management:
• Manage budgets, P&L, and expenditure to ensure financial viability and
solvency.
• Review the preparation of draft annual budgets and capital expenditure
planning.
• Authorize the monthly payment of accounts within delegation.
• Ensure an up-to-date and seamless accounting process using Xero.
• Review financial and accounting records for the company.
• Action debt collection.
• Assist with audit processes (with SOCG Finance Team).
5. Operational Management:
• Ensure documented systems and processes are in place and that all
documents are organised, filed and saved in SharePoint.
• Prepare and deliver Board reports and information as requested by the
CE and Boards, and attend Board and management meetings.
• Authorise service agreements.
• Assist in recruitment.
• Action the analysis of existing, new and/or changed services.
• Review company policies and procedures documents.
• Data collection and management.
6. Other Duties:
• Perform any other duties as requested by the CE or line manager, or by
Board Directors.
7. Mission and Values driven Responsibilities:
• Commitment to the mission and values of the Sisters of Compassion
Group.
• Support the integration and embedding of the organisation’s story,
mission and values into daily work.
• Ensure that work practices adhere to “good employer” principles.
• Ensure privacy and confidentiality principles are adhered to.
• Respect the dignity of older persons through:
-Ofering quality housing that is afordable and comfortable.
-Respecting their right to independence.
-Ofering friendship, pastoral support, encouragement and
assisting them to live an active life.
-Ofering advocacy for access to healthcare, social and
government assistance.
-Encouraging those with ill health to seek and obtain appropriate
care.
Person Specification
Qualifications:
• A strong understanding of and a8inity with the mission, values and ministries of
the Sisters of Compassion, and the Sisters of Compassion Group, as a faithbased
organisation seeking to welcome and serve those in our community from
all backgrounds.
• A relevant tertiary qualification in Property Management, Business
Administration, or a related field, or comparable relevant experience.
• Qualifications/certificates desirable in Health and Safety Management and/or
Privacy Management.
Experience:
• Proven experience in property and asset management, preferably within the
social/community housing sector
• Demonstrated experience in team leadership and management.
• Experience in financial management, including budgeting, P&L, and expenditure
control.
• Experience in compliance and regulatory management, particularly within the
housing sector.
• Experience with Xero or similar accounting software.
Skills and Competencies:
• Leadership and Management: strong leadership skills with the ability to manage
and motivate a diverse team, and build a strong team culture, including
contractors, vendors and volunteers.
• Operational experience in similar Christian-mission / service-based
organisations would be an advantage.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and entities, to cultivate strong
relationships with internal and external stakeholders and to nurture key
relationships.
• Financial Acumen: Excellent financial management skills, including budgeting,
financial reporting, and ensuring financial viability.
• Regulatory Knowledge: In-depth knowledge of housing regulations, the
Residential Tenancies Act, HSWA, Privacy Act and other relevant legislation,
(including safeguarding requirements of the Catholic Church where applicable).
• Operational Excellence: Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage
multiple tasks and priorities efectively.
• Risk management: able to eficiently identify, report on and manage
organisational risk.
• Well-developed organisational and time management skills – ability to multitask,
prioritise, and supervise day to day operations while meeting deadlines.
• Customer Service: Excellent service delivery skills with a positive and proactive
attitude.
• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability
to constructively engage with tenants and to prepare and present reports to the
CE and Board.
• Problem-Solving: Efective problem-solving skills with the ability to analyse and
address issues promptly.
• An understanding and commitment to the principles of the Te Tiriti o Waitangi,
experience using Te Reo Māori in communications, and observation of tikanga
Māori in day-to-day operations.
• Technical Proficiency: Proficiency in using property management software and
accounting systems, particularly Xero.
• Attention to Detail: High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
Personal Attributes:
• Integrity: High ethical standards and integrity in all dealings.
• Adaptability: Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and work efectively
under pressure.
• Initiative: Proactive and self-motivated with the ability to work independently.
• Team Player: Collaborative approach with the ability to work efectively as part of
a team.
• Commitment: Commitment to the mission and values of Compassion Housing
Limited and SOCG as a faith-based organisation.
Other Requirements:
• Willingness to participate in ongoing professional development.
• Flexibility to attend Board meetings and other events as required.
• Valid driver’s license.
Key relationships:
• Co-Chief Executives – Tumu Whakarae
• SOCG Senior Leadership Team
• SOCG Finance Team
• Congregational Leadership Team
• Board Members/Directors (Compassion Housing Limited Board, Sisters of
Compassion Group Board, Compassion Horowhenua GP Limited Board, the
Mother Aubert Home of Compassion Trust Board).
• Tenants
• Service providers and contractors
• SOCG Managers, sta8 and volunteers, including Sisters of Compassion
• Partners and mission-aligned organisations
• Churches, community organisations, iwi groups, stakeholders
Direct reports:
• Assistant Compassion Housing Managers (X 2, one each in Upper Hutt and
Horowhenua)
• Advocate Nurses/Support workers (X2, as above)
Delegated Authority:
Per Sisters of Compassion Group Delegated Authority Policy, noting:
• No authority for expenditure over approved budget.
• View-only access to bank accounts.
• No authority to transfer any bank funds.
• Expenditure of over $20,000.00 on one-off approved maintenance expenditure
is to be advised to the CE or line manager, and the Compassion Housing Limited
Board.
Equipment
All necessary equipment will be supplied
For a confidential discussion or a copy of the position description, contact Danae Young at Find Recruitment – 027 238 8188.
Our Enduring Values
Ō Tātou Whanonga Pono
Divine Providence– He Manaakitanga Atua Tapu
• Let us do our part and let God do his
Simplicity – He ngāwaritanga
• We work in an open and simple manner
Action with the poor – Ngā awhina ki ngā rawakore
• Our primary concern is to support the most disadvantaged
Justice – He tika o ngā tāngata ki ngā tāngata
• We recognise the rights and intrinsic good of all people
Partnership – Te Kotahitanga
• We will develop and nurture partnerships and model a
commitment to partnership under Te Tiriti o Waitangi
