NZISM is the national voice for generalist health and safety practitioners in New Zealand. As we roll out an ambitious new strategy, we're creating a newly focused Partnerships and Business Development Manager role to strengthen our sponsor relationships, sharpen our commercial pipeline, and lead some of our most important projects over the next year.
This is a genuine opportunity to shape how a respected national body builds revenue and partnerships — with real autonomy, a supportive small team, and the flexibility to work from wherever suits you in New Zealand.
About NZISM
Incorporated in 1972, NZISM represents generalist health and safety practitioners and professionals across public and private sector organisations throughout New Zealand. Most health and safety generalists in the country are NZISM members.
What started as a collective of local branches has grown into a national organisation recognised as a key voice in health and safety. We deliver a wide range of member services, including hundreds of events each year nationally and through our 14 branches. Our purpose is simple: to influence better health and safety outcomes at work.
Our new strategy includes a deliberate drive towards revenue diversification — which is where this role comes in.
The Opportunity
You'll take ownership of three connected areas of impact:
Sponsor management
- Own the full sponsor lifecycle across NZISM's sponsorship tiers and network partners — onboarding, benefits delivery, quarterly check-ins, mid-year value reporting, and renewal negotiations.
- Be the escalation point for sponsor issues, and work with the Communications Manager to redevelop and relaunch the NZISM sponsorship package during the term.
- Develop and maintain the sponsor prospectus and supporting value proposition collateral, keeping content current, evidence-based, and aligned to member value.
Project leadership
- Lead defined NZISM projects end to end, applying lightweight but disciplined project management — scope, milestones, risk and issue management, and clear status reporting.
- Progress an accreditation project alongside the Operations Manager and work with key volunteers to develop an enforceable undertaking strategy for NZISM.
- Maintain a visible portfolio view of active and pipeline projects for the CEO and Board, including monthly status reporting.
Business development
- Build and actively manage a pipeline of prospective sponsors, network partners, and commercial collaborators.
- Lead pitches, negotiate agreements, and convert prospects into long-term partnerships within delegated authority.
- Identify and scope new revenue lines, such as sponsored content, paid webinars, and sector partnerships.
About You
You're a relationship-builder and closer who's as comfortable managing an existing partnership as you are opening a new one. You'll likely bring:
- A demonstrated track record of growing sponsorship, partnership, or commercial revenue — ideally in a membership-based, professional services, or not-for-profit setting.
- Strong relationship management skills, with the ability to build trust quickly and sustain long-term partnerships.
- Solid project management capability and experience.
- Strong proposal writing and pitch delivery skills, backed by excellent written, verbal, and organisational skills.
- Commercial acumen and sound judgement, including the ability to navigate conflicts of interest and protect NZISM's independence as a professional body.
- Financial and budget literacy, data and systems literacy, and strong attention to detail.
- Initiative and self-direction — you'll thrive in a small team and a remote-first working environment.
Experience in a member- or customer-facing role, working with volunteers, or familiarity with occupational health and safety or professional associations are all advantages — as are existing relationships across NZ industry, government, or the health and safety sector. None are essential.
What's on Offer
- The freedom to work flexibly from anywhere in New Zealand, as part of a remote-first team.
- A remuneration package that combines a fixed base salary with a performance-based, at-stake component linked to new sponsorship and commercial revenue you bring in.
- A one-year fixed-term mandate with genuine scope to make your mark — redesigning our sponsorship offering, leading high-profile projects, and building NZISM's commercial future.
- A small, supportive team and direct visibility with the CEO and Board.
Applications
Please apply with a covering letter and CV via Seek. Applications close on 18 September 2026 at 5 pm.