Are YOU are next
Operations Manager?
Join our herd at Cambridge RDA as our new Operations Manager
đ Join Our Herd at Cambridge RDA! đ
Weâre on a mission to change lives, one rider at a time. Help us reach more riders, create more magic, and make a real difference in your community. đ´đ Join the team.
Our vision is to Reach More Riders, Change More Lives.
Who We Are
At Cambridge Riding for the Disabled (RDA), we believe in the life-changing magic that happens when people and horses come together.
Weâre a registered charity (CC38925) with a mission to create opportunities for people with disabilities or specific challenges to thrive â physically, emotionally, and socially. Through connection, movement, confidence-building and care, our riders gain strength, independence, and a sense of belonging. We donât just provide riding sessions, our tailored programmes open doors to a bigger life for our riders. If you're someone who wants to make a real impact in while being part of a passionate, purpose-driven little team (and yes, you'll get to hang out with some amazing horses and people), weâd love to hear from you.
What Your Job Will Look Like
This is a part-time role of 25 hours per week, usually worked Tuesday to Friday during session times (8.30am â 2.00pm) - the rest of the hours can be done when suits you. Remember though, like most good not-for-profits, we know flexibility matters, so weâre open to working with the right person to find a schedule that fits. Mondays are horse training days and, while not part of the core hours, itâs always great to pop in for a couple of hours to stay connected with the team and the horses. You wonât be expected to wear every hat - marketing, communications, fundraising, and horse management are all covered by other parts of the team but we all pitch in where needed, and collaboration is a big part of how we roll. Your areas of responsibility will look like the below:
Ensure compliance with NZRDA Operational Standards, health & safety regulations, and all internal policies, providing our coaches and volunteers with the necessary resources, training and support to maintain high-quality service delivery.
Provide positive operational leadership Overseeing daily operations, including managing a team of approximately 50 volunteers and our herd of 12(ish) therapy horses as well as contributing as a member of the Management and Operations Committees.
Support coaches Managing administration, session coordination, risk assessments, volunteer rostering, record-keeping, and reporting, so coaches can focus their time on riders.
Programme oversight Maintaining optimal rider-to-horse-to-volunteer ratios across the full weekly schedule.
Facilities & Infrastructure Coordination Identifying maintenance needs and coordinating skilled volunteers or suppliers to ensure the safe and optimal functioning of our premises, paddocks and equipment. This includes proactive planning for upgrades and managing day-to-day facility requirements.
Community engagement & relationship building Nurturing connections with schools, health professionals and local partners as well as acting as the key conduit between riders, their whÄnau, caregivers, and our team, ensuring communication is consistent and responsive.
Information sharing & internal communication Maintaining transparent, regular communication with RDA staff, volunteers, riders, families, the Management Committee.
The Magic Person We Are Looking For
Weâre on the lookout for a very special person! Dynamic, organised and full of good energy to join our team! This role needs someone who can juggle a lot of moving parts with grace and good humour. Someone who is not afraid to take us to the next level. Youâll be the kind of person who brings calm to the chaos, leads without ego and helps people feel supported and included as we are all important members of the team - riders, volunteers, staff and horses. Youâll have great communication skills (both talking and typing), be reasonably tech-savvy, and feel confident keeping things running smoothly.
You donât need to be a horse expert but if you love them, thatâs a bonus! More importantly, youâll need to be flexible, a good problem solver, and happy to roll up your sleeves when needed. Plus, health & safety is part of our everyday, and you'll play a key role in helping us keep everyone safe, supported, and smiling.
What You'll Get In Return
Be a critical member of our passionate team, making a real difference
Great professional development opportunities - we are always looking for ways to be better
Laptop + mobile provided
Flexibility to work from home during school holidays
Like most not-for-profits, we canât pay loads but what you get back is priceless!