Retail & Reception Assistant Manager
- 12-month full-time fixed-term position with a strong possibility of transitioning to a permanent role
- Lead and support our front-of-house team in one of Ōtautahi’s most unique workplaces
- $65,000 to $68,000 per annum
- Play a pivotal role in shaping exceptional visitor experiences and supporting our commercial success
- Enjoy a varied, hands-on leadership role where no two days are the same
As Orana Wildlife Park approaches its 50th year, we’re looking ahead with ambition. We’re continuing our mission to connect people with nature while inspiring our community to protect wildlife and support conservation for generations to come.
We’re looking for passionate people who want to make a genuine difference by helping create memorable visitor experiences while contributing to meaningful conservation outcomes.
Mō mātou: About Us
Orana is owned and operated by Orana Wildlife Trust, a registered charitable trust and not-for-profit organisation. Conservation is a core part of our mission and the key reason Orana exists. Our on-site habitat restoration and predator pest control programmes provide a connecting wildlife corridor and safe haven for some of Canterbury’s most threatened species.
Orana Wildlife Park participates in many zoo-based breeding programmes in partnership with the World Association of Zoos & Aquariums (WAZA), the Zoo & Aquarium Association Australasia (ZAA), DOC and others. We are committed to continuing our efforts towards these breeding programmes into the future.
He angitūtanga: The opportunity
We are seeking a proactive, people-focused leader to join our team as a Retail & Reception Assistant Manager. This 12-month fixed-term opportunity offers an important leadership role in our visitor experience operation, with an expectation that this will become a permanent position.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone ready to step into a broader leadership position and build valuable experience across the retail, tourism, admissions and visitor sectors in one of New Zealand’s most unique destinations.
You will work alongside the Retail & Reception Manager, where you will help shape our visitor experience by leading a capable team and ensuring the smooth daily operation of our admissions, retail and booking functions. The role is hands-on where you will spend your time coaching and supporting your team, maintaining high presentation standards and ensuring exceptional customer service at ever touchpoint.
No two days are the same in this hands-on role. One moment you may be assisting visitors in the retail store, the next helping a family arrange a memorable animal encounter. Whether you’re supporting the team through a busy holiday period or responding to an unexpected challenge, you’ll be at the heart of our operation, helping deliver outstanding visitor experiences while supporting our commercial success.
Key responsibilities
- Lead daily operations of admissions, retail, e-commerce, annual memberships, party room/function enquiries and animal encounter bookings.
- Coach, motivate and coordinate team members to deliver outstanding customer service throughout every shift.
- Help create welcoming, memorable experiences leaving visitors with a lasting positive impression of Orana.
- Drive high presentation standards through effective merchandising, pricing, promotions and stock management.
- Respond confidently to visitor enquiries, feedback and challenges with a calm, professional and solutions-focused approach.
- Build strong working relationships across the Park to deliver a seamless visitor experience.
- Support the Retail & Reception Manager with daily operations, team performance and continuous improvement initiatives.
The success of this role depends on your ability to adapt to changing priorities, think on your feet, and find practical solutions that keep both visitors and colleagues feeling supported. You stay calm under pressure, embrace change with confidence, and enjoy helping others navigate challenges to ensure everyone has a great day.
You’ll thrive on the variety, adapt confidently to changing situations, and play an important role in ensuring every visitor enjoys a seamless and memorable Orana experience.
He kōrero mōu: About you
You’re someone who thrives on helping to create great experiences for customers, enjoys leading by example and bringing positive energy to everything you do.
You will find success if you:
- Love working with people and creating positive, memorable experiences.
- Bring experience from customer service, retail, tourism, hospitality, or a similarly fast-paced service-focused role.
- Are confident supervising, coaching and developing team members.
- Have a strong eye for merchandising and attention to detail.
- Remain calm and adaptable when priorities shift or unexpected situations arise.
- Bring initiative, sound judgement and a proactive, solutions-focused approach to problem solving.
- Find practical ways forward and help others navigate challenges with confidence.
- Take ownership, identify opportunities for improvement and contribute positively to team success.
- Share our commitment to conservation, education and community engagement.
- Take a proactive, solutions-focused approach to unexpected challenges, adapting quickly to changing circumstances while maintaining a positive visitor experience.
Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou: What we offer
You’ll join a passionate team that is deeply committed to wildlife, conservation and creating exceptional visitor experiences.
We offer:
- A truly unique workplace where giraffes, rhinos, lions, meerkats and emus are part of the daily scenery.
- Opportunities to grow your leadership, duty management and operational management skills.
- Staff discounts and access to selected Park experiences.
- A supportive team culture that values collaboration, initiative and professional development.
- Access to our Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing resources.
- Free on-site parking and annual flu vaccination.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your leadership career while contributing to conservation, education and unforgettable visitor experiences, we’d love to hear from you.
Join a workplace where no two days are the same, your contribution genuinely matters, and wildlife is part of the everyday view.
We encourage early submissions, as applications will be reviewed as they are received.
Applications close at 5.00pm on Sunday 6 September 2026.
