Industry Job Opportunities

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Chief Executive Officer

Harness Racing New Zealand

About Harness Racing New Zealand

Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) serves as the peak authority for harness racing, providing leadership, promotion, and administration support to the sport. Situated in Christchurch, adjacent to Addington Raceway, HRNZ is strategically located at the heart of harness racing in Canterbury. HRNZ collaborates closely with key member clubs, regional program committees, allied organizations such as Entain, Racing New Zealand, and the TAB, their primary wagering partner. Their primary objectives include establishing a robust foundation to enhance business and wagering performance, securing racing opportunities, providing strategic leadership and direction, and maximizing returns for both owners and participants within the sport.

Role Summary:

As the Chief Executive Officer, you will assume a pivotal role in providing strategic leadership and overseeing the day-to-day operations of Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ). Your responsibilities encompass guiding the sport, managing the operational team, improving the commercial performance of the organization, and ensuring the seamless delivery of harness racing within the ecosystem. Upholding the reputation of HRNZ and instilling strong values-based leadership, while establishing and adhering to the highest cultural and operational standards, are integral facets of this role.

In your capacity as the leader of the organisation, you will serve as a trusted advisor to the HRNZ Board, directing the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), and driving overall efficiency and effectiveness within the sport's office. Continuously advancing and elevating HRNZ's stature as a premier racing code in New Zealand is paramount, requiring a CEO with a robust emotional intelligence, a foundation in values, and a track record of exemplifying exemplary leadership standards through actions.

The recent strategic wagering partnership with Entain represents a significant opportunity to invigorate harness racing in New Zealand and foster renewed confidence in the sport. Harnessing this partnership for the mutual benefit of HRNZ and its stakeholders will be central to achieving success. The Entain collaboration serves as a transformative platform for growth, thus prioritizing the seamless and timely integration of Entain into HRNZ's business strategy is imperative to fully capitalize on the commercial opportunity at hand. Ensuring a mutually beneficial outcome for HRNZ and Entain will be a primary focus area for the incoming CEO

Desired Skills & Experience:

  • Significant experience at CEO or GM level within sport, entertainment, business or similar.
  • Strong networking and relationship management skills with ability to influence, lead, coach and inspire staff and a diverse group of other internal and external key stakeholders.
  • Sound commercial, strategic and financial management capability.
  • Ability to think outside the box, innovate and evolve to achieve desired outcomes.
  • Strong leadership skills, building effective and highly engaged team cultures.
  • Experience reporting and / or working with Boards would be an advantage.
  • Knowledge and an interest in Harness Racing would be helpful but not essential.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced executive to revitalise Harness Racing in New Zealand through strategic leadership, leveraging partnerships and maximising returns for both owners and participants within the sport!

APPLICATIONS CLOSE – Monday April 1st 2024

TO APPLY

Please send your resume with cover letter to: [email protected]

Global Elite Sports (www.globalelitesports.com) have been contracted exclusively on behalf of Harness Racing New Zealand to undertake the search assignment for this appointment.


Northern Education Co-ordinator

  • Exciting opportunity in the harness racing industry
  • Auckland or Waikato based
  • Permanent part-time position (20 hours per week)

Harness Racing New Zealand exists to work with industry stakeholders to promote and regulate a thriving and positive harness racing industry in NZ. 

The key objective of this position is to provide the on and off job training for harness racing industry participants within the NZQA framework. We require a highly motivated and driven person with a passion for educating and up-skilling the young participants of our industry. A strong knowledge and background of horses and harness racing is essential, and an interest in education and good horse welfare is preferable. 

We require an enthusiastic person who can work remotely, to support and educate our trainees.

 What will you be doing in this role?

  • Educating and assessing our harness racing trainees
  • Keeping records and results 
  • Completing stable visits in accordance with our processes
  • Building and maintaining relationships with industry participants
  • Monitoring the welfare of our trainees
  • Updating and creating teaching resources and materials
  • Liaising with the HERO manager and educators – day to day operational and promotional activities of the HERO programme as required. HERO is our life after racing programme for Standardbreds 
  • Adhering to and promoting good horse welfare standards 
  • The role will involve some evening work

 What will you need to succeed in this role?

  • Strong inter-personal skills
  • Excellent communication and organisational skills
  • Computer literacy
  • Ability to work unsupervised
  • Ability to travel and deliver the National Programme in the Northern Region
  • Clean driving licence
  • A strong knowledge of all equine related core subjects
  • Knowledge and experience in the Standardbred (Harness) industry
  • A background in education
  • Perform to agreed deadlines
  • Prepared to up-skill if required

 What’s on offer for you?

  • Permanent part-time position (20 hours per week)
  • Flexible working environment

For more information on the role, please contact Natalie Gameson on 03 964 1193   

To apply, please send your covering letter and CV to: [email protected]

Applications close on Tuesday 19 March 2024


 

Alexandra Park Starts Assistants

Join Our Race Night Starters Assistants Team at Alexandra Park!

We're on the hunt for passionate new team members. If you have experience with horses, particularly in harness racing (though not a strict requirement), we'd love to hear from you!

You'll need to be comfortable leading horses at the start line and familiar with harness racing gear. Don't worry if you're not an expert - we're committed to training the right candidate.

For more information contact Karen Blanchard,  E: [email protected]