Lead one of Hawke’s Bay’s most iconic cultural venues, shaping the creative and commercial direction of Napier Municipal Theatre as a vibrant hub for performance, community connection, and civic life.

As the Napier Municipal Theatre Manager, you’ll provide strategic and operational leadership across programming, venue operations, ticketing, marketing, and audience development, all within a much-loved heritage venue that holds a special place in the city’s identity. You’ll lead and inspire a highly skilled team across front-of-house, technical, box office, and operational functions, balancing community access and affordability with sustainable occupancy, financial stewardship, and service excellence to ensure the theatre continues to thrive as a welcoming and inclusive cultural anchor for Napier.

Te Āheinga - The Opportunity

• Lead a high-profile, heritage performing arts venue that sits at the heart of Napier’s cultural identity and community life.

• Shape and deliver a balanced performing arts programme that brings together professional touring work, local creativity, community use, and civic events.

• Inspire and develop a highly skilled, customer-focused team across operations, technical, box office, and front-of-house functions.

• Balance artistic ambition and community access with strong commercial stewardship, sustainable occupancy, and financial performance.

• Build meaningful partnerships with producers, promoters, NZ performing arts sector, schools, community organisations, and mana whenua to strengthen Napier’s performing arts network and cultural impact.

He kōrero mōhou - About You

• Proven experience leading a performing arts venue or comparable cultural facility, with strong operational, programming, presenting and commercial capability.

• Demonstrated ability to inspire, develop, and lead high-performing, customer-focused teams.

• Strong financial and business acumen, with experience managing budgets, utilisation, and performance outcomes.

• Established relationship management skills, with the ability to engage effectively with artists, producers, promoters, community partners, mana whenua, and stakeholders.

• A clear commitment to inclusion, accessibility, and the role the arts play in strengthening community wellbeing and city identity.

Ngā painga mōhou - What we Offer

• 5 weeks annual leave after 2 years service

• Discounted Health Insurance Work Scheme + Eye Test Subsidy

• Retailer Discounts + Study assistance

• Employee Assistance Program (OCP)

• Quarterly values awards + Birthday vouchers + Social club

• Free flu vaccinations (annual)

• Ka Awatea Cultural Wānanga + NCC Kapa Haka

• Te Reo Māori language classes

This is a permanent, full time position working 40 hours per week. There is some flexibility required in your pattern of work to account for events and bookings at the Theatre. You will be based at the iconic Napier Municipal Theatre in the heart of Napier’s CBD.

The annual salary package for this role is between $112,900 - $132,837 (including KiwiSaver), with the final offer depending on your skills and experience.

Applications for this role close on 27 March 2026, however due to the highly competitive employment market we will be interviewing applications as we receive them and may close the role when we have found the right person. Please do not delay in making your application.

He kōrero mō Te Kaunihera o Ahuriri - About NCC

At Napier City Council, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer that values diversity. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and work to make our hiring process fair and accessible. If you need any support or adjustments during your application or interview, let us know—we’re happy to help!

Our success is grounded in strong partnerships with Mana Whenua and Iwi, supported by our Māori Partnerships team, Te Waka Rangapū, which builds cultural capability through education and training.

Before you join, you’ll need to complete pre-employment checks (including criminal background checks, with some roles requiring health screening & drug testing). As an NCC employee, you may also be called on to support Civil Defence emergencies when our community needs us most.

Please visit Napier City Council Careers website to see full job description

Job Description – Napier Municipal Theatre Manager