Business Manager | Dark Sky Project

Type: Full-time, Permanent

Location: Tekapo

Description

Permanent / Full-time

Takapō / Tekapō

Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei - for us and our children after us.

Dark Sky Project is a world-class astronomy and cultural tourism experience located on the shores of Lake Takapō, within one of the largest Dark Sky Reserves in the world. Our purpose is to create meaningful connections — between people, place, the night sky, and Ngāi Tahu — through unforgettable, experience-led tourism.

Blending science, storytelling, Tātai arorangi (Māori astronomy), food and beverage, retail, and guided experiences, Dark Sky Project offers a truly unique and premium visitor experience for manuhiri from Aotearoa and across the globe.

The opportunity | Te āheinga

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Business Manager – Dark Sky Project to lead and shape the ongoing success of this distinctive tourism operation. In this senior leadership role, you will provide strong operational and people leadership across a diverse portfolio including guiding, customer experience, fleet and maintenance, food and beverage, retail, and administration.

You will be responsible for ensuring Dark Sky Project operates safely, efficiently, and to the highest professional standard, while delivering consistently exceptional experiences for our manuhiri. Working closely with the General Manager and wider Ngāi Tahu Tourism leadership team, you will guide day-to-day performance, drive commercial outcomes, and contribute to the long-term sustainability and resilience of the business.

Reporting to the General Manager – Dark Sky Project, you will be supported by Ngāi Tahu Tourism’s shared services teams across finance, marketing, IT, and People & Culture, and connected to a network of leaders operating world-class tourism experiences across Aotearoa.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a multi-faceted, experience-led attraction in an extraordinary environment — where science, culture, and storytelling come together under one of the world’s darkest skies.

What we’re looking for | Ōu pūkenga

To succeed in this role, you will bring a strong blend of operational leadership, commercial acumen, and people-focused management.

You will have:

• 5–7 years’ experience in senior operational or business leadership roles within tourism or experience-led environments
• A proven track record of delivering strong commercial, financial, and operational performance
• Experience leading, developing, and inspiring large and diverse teams
• A deep commitment to health, safety, and wellbeing as a foundation for operational excellence
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence and lead with confidence
• A passion for delivering world-class customer experiences
• Experience across food and beverage, retail, or complex visitor operations (desirable)
• An understanding of — or a genuine willingness to learn — Ngāi Tahu values, tikanga, and te reo Māori

Experience in astronomy-led tourism is advantageous but not essential — curiosity, leadership, and alignment to our values are key.

What we offer | He aha ai?

Joining Ngāi Tahu Tourism means becoming part of a values-led organisation grounded in whakapapa, purpose, and people. At Dark Sky Project, you’ll work alongside passionate kaimahi in an environment that celebrates learning, innovation, and connection.

We offer:

• A supportive, inclusive workplace where manaakitanga and whanaungatanga are lived every day
• Opportunities for professional development and leadership growth
• Ongoing support to grow your understanding of Ngāi Tahu history, tikanga, and te reo Māori
• A competitive remuneration package
• Flexibility to support work–life balance and the needs of your whānau
• The opportunity to lead one of Aotearoa’s most unique and inspiring tourism experiences

Ready to help guide the future of a world-class dark sky experience?
If this role excites you and you’re ready to lead a passionate team in an extraordinary place, we’d love to hear from you.

Dark Sky Project is a fun, unique, and safe place to work — and we intend to keep it that way. Before joining our team, you’ll go through our standard pre‑employment checks, including drug and alcohol screening. Health and safety is at the heart of everything we do.

Nau mai, tauti mai – apply now.