Chief Executive Officer

Wellington
Permanent
Full-time

16 days ago

National dual-focus leadership role shaping the future of professional and community basketball in Aotearoa
Generate growth, advocacy, and strategic partnerships across the sport

About us:Hoops in the heart of every community is the vision of Basketball New Zealand (BBNZ). We exist to inspire participants to live and love the game as much as we do. We’re on a mission to grow the game, support performance at every level, and champion basketball as a sport for all New Zealanders. We live our values – integrity, respect, connected, valued and supported – in everything we do, creating opportunities for people from every background to play, coach, officiate, and connect through the game.From community courts to international arenas, we celebrate diversity, foster belonging, and honour the unique cultural identity of Aotearoa. With strong roots in local communities and deep links to the global basketball network, we’re inspiring players, coaches, officials, and fans as we drive basketball forward as one of the country’s fastest growing and most exciting sports.About the role:Reporting to the Board, the Chief Executive will champion basketball across New Zealand as the sport’s national leader. You will refresh the strategic and operational direction for the organisation, generate commercial growth, and build strong, lasting relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, from grassroots communities to international governing bodies.This is a high-profile, influential role that blends strategic vision with hands-on leadership. You will be a vocal advocate for basketball, creating sustainable funding streams and leading initiatives that keep the sport innovative, inclusive, and at the forefront of sporting excellence.Key responsibilities:

Lead and energise a high-performance culture while delivering the organisation’s strategic vision.
Serve as the public face of basketball, representing BBNZ with media, government, and the broader sporting sector.
Generate sustainable revenue growth through sponsorships, global and NZ partnerships, digital content monetisation, media rights, events, and innovative funding initiatives.
Forge and maintain strong, trusted relationships with stakeholders, including Sport New Zealand, FIBA, commercial partners, and basketball communities at all levels.
Represent BBNZ as the guardian of the game, nationally and internationally.
Further develop strong grassroots basketball programmes and opportunities.

What you’ll bring:You are a visionary, commercially astute, and people-focused leader with the presence to inspire at every level. You are a national and international ambassador for the game. You need to be able to confidently engage with our members, major stakeholders, commercial partners, your team and be able to unite people behind a shared purpose. You bring demonstrable experience and a passion for community sport, a clear understanding of what drives it, and insight into the challenges it faces. With this perspective, you will build impactful commercial partnerships and navigate the broader business landscape with confidence.You’ll also bring:

A passionate, inclusive, and inspiring leadership style with experience in the sports sector, able to unite people behind a shared purpose and deliver results with integrity and resilience.
Broad senior executive or general management experience, ideally in member-based or not-for-profit organisations, with a proven ability to engage, influence, and build consensus across diverse stakeholders.
Strong commercial acumen with experience in negotiation of funding, sponsorship, or revenue generation, and a solid understanding of financial processes and budgetary management.
Exceptional communication and public-facing skills, confident as the sport’s leader across media, government, and community settings.

What we offer:This is a rare opportunity to lead one of New Zealand’s most dynamic and fast-growing sports. You’ll work alongside a committed Board, passionate staff, and a vibrant community, with the chance to make a significant impact on the sport’s future. As BBNZ’s leader, you will enjoy national and international visibility, while leading an organisation with purpose, ambition, responsible for leading New Zealand’s fastest growing and most exciting sport.How to Apply:To submit your application, please ‘Apply’ now. For a confidential discussion, please contact Fraser Leith at fraser@inside.co.nz.All applications will be acknowledged electronically. Applications for this role close at 5pm on Monday, 8th September.

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