Closing date: Friday 30 May 2025
About the Role
▪ The Deputy Secretary for Members’ Sectors is a full-time leadership role responsible for carrying out national sector responsibilities, including strategic leadership in industrial sectors and managing staff at the national or regional level, as assigned by the General Secretary.
▪ The Deputy Secretary is a senior member of the National Leadership Committee, reports directly to the General Secretary, and executes all lawful and reasonable instructions from the General Secretary, National Leadership Committee (NLC) and the National Executive.
As a key leader in the organisation, the Deputy Secretaries for Members’ Sectors
▪ Must lead in developing the Union’s industrial sector strategies for organising, bargaining and campaigning.
▪ Must work jointly with the Regional Organising Directors and National Organisers to develop overarching strategies and tactics for effective organising, bargaining and campaigns for specific sectors. Ensures that they are executed in accordance with the Union’s strategic and operational plans.
▪ Interacts regularly with organisers, administrators, and members of the Union to perform the tasks at hand.
▪ Must have the ability to prioritise and have a “big picture” view of the Union and the external environment in which it operates.
Responsibilities
▪ Consistently demonstrating and promoting the Union’s vision and values in daily actions and decisions, both within and outside the workplace.
▪ Ensure that the Union’s strategic goals, such as growth, organising, and campaign plans in the sector, are met.
▪ Ensure that the collective bargaining is carried out to a high standard.
▪ Recruitment and appointment of union organisers and other industrial organising roles.
▪ Developing organisers and staff members to help them reach their full potential by providing opportunities for growth, clear communication, and a supportive work environment through mentorship, one-on-one meetings, and focusing on both individual and team development.
▪ Collectively work with the team to set and achieve the goals and objectives outlined in the Union’s national and regional plans.
▪ Assigning tasks to team members to achieve desired outcomes.
▪ Cultivating a culture of accountability where every team member is empowered and united in driving the success of the Union’s work plan.
▪ Managing day-to-day operations of team members’ work, including approving leave.
▪ Developing, evaluating, and reporting on outcomes in relation to established plans.
▪ Identifying strategic opportunities and collaborating with the General Secretary and Regional Organising Directors to implement strategic and annual plans.
▪ Ensure that the Union’s strategic priorities are clearly communicated and effectively implemented within the team to achieve the Union’s objectives.
▪ Maintaining accurate records related to the team’s work.
▪ Overseeing staff health and safety as required by the General Secretary.
▪ Takes accountability for own actions and self-development
▪ Performing additional duties that are not explicitly outlined in the position description but are within the capability, skills, and experience generally expected of someone in this role.
Qualifications and Experience
▪ Must have at least five (5) years’ New Zealand experience in a Union organising role.
▪ Must understand strategic leadership, such as recognising the importance of the union’s objectives, long-term planning, and the ability to guide the organisers in the sector towards its goals, even in a changing environment.
▪ High level of expertise and experience in bargaining collective agreements.
▪ Understanding of industrial law (i.e. Employment Relations Act 2000, Holidays Act, Health &Safety at Work, Wages Protection Act)
▪ Confidence and capability, making sound decisions on complex organising issues under time pressures.
▪ Great organisational skills with a high degree of initiative and drive, excellent interpersonal and analytical skills.
▪ A can-do attitude and an alignment with Union’s values, including a commitment to collaboration and supporting our diverse communities.
▪ Have good IT skills and experience using Microsoft 365
▪ Good communication skills, written and oral.
▪ Knowledge of relevant health and safety requirements.
▪ Flexible and adaptable to meet the differing demands as they arise.
▪ Knowledge of and willingness to demonstrate the Union’s commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
▪ Current New Zealand driver’s license.
Preferred Experience and Skills
▪ Experience in a union leadership role.
▪ Experience working with a team to achieve outcomes and managing team conflicting priorities.
▪ Experience organising and/or campaigning and/or advocacy.
▪ Experience in planning, managing staff and maintaining accountability systems.
▪ Expert knowledge in at least one of the Union sectors: retail, finance, transport, wood, textile & clothing, logistics and manufacturing.
Members’ Sector Responsibilities
▪ Retail – Food and Non-Food
▪ Retail – Warehousing
▪ Retail’s General Distribution (e.g. head & regional offices, call centres and e-stores)
Please send your application to jo.wilson@workersfirst.nzApplications close Friday 30 May at 5pm.
Contact person: Jo Wilson