Chief Operating Officer

About the Role

Property Brokers, New Zealand’s largest family-owned provincial real estate group, employs approximately 1,000 people across over 90 branches, offering services in residential, lifestyle, rural, commercial real estate and property management. The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will report to the Managing Director and oversee enterprise-level operations overseeing a senior leadership team and a 73-member support centre, collaborating closely with regional leaders.

This position is not a traditional corporate COO role; it demands leadership in a dynamic, entrepreneurial and relationship-focused environment. The role centers on enhancing operational discipline, commercial rigor, and effective execution while maintaining the vibrant culture and energy foundational to the business.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and cultivate a high-performing central leadership team focused on establishing clarity and accountability.
• Convert high-level strategies into actionable plans with consistent follow-through.
• Streamline processes, systems, and workflows to elevate organizational performance.
• Accelerate initiatives in digital transformation, marketing, and organizational development.
• Identify and develop new business growth avenues and revenue streams.
• Enhance organizational capabilities aligned with growth objectives.

Candidate Profile

• Experienced senior executive background in COO, CEO, General Management, or equivalent enterprise leadership.
• Strong commercial insight and financial expertise with multi-functional leadership experience.
• Proven ability to translate strategic goals into measurable business outcomes.
• Leadership in change management, business process improvement, and growth projects.
• Exceptional skills in people leadership fostering trust, accountability, and high performance.
• Strategic mindset paired with pragmatic, action-oriented execution.
• Comfortable operating in decentralized, sales or service-driven multiple-location environments with an emphasis on influence.
• Demonstrates intellectual agility, humility, and the confidence to engage in constructive challenge.
• Deep connection and understanding of provincial and regional New Zealand communities.
• While real estate experience is advantageous, exceptional leaders from other sectors are encouraged to apply.

What the Role Offers

• CEO-level leadership opportunity within a leading privately-owned New Zealand enterprise.
• Direct collaboration with the Managing Director and substantial organizational influence.
• Ability to lead and accelerate delivery through an established, capable team.
• Opportunity to define and implement a mid-term strategic vision, exploring new commercial prospects and expanding business platforms.
• Potential for evolution of the role as trust, performance, and leadership structures mature.
• Chance to join a unique New Zealand business deeply rooted in regional communities with a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit and significant growth prospects.

Additional Information

The organisation has strong foundations — including people, infrastructure, market presence, and a scalable platform — aiming to evolve from success to elevated achievement rather than fixing existing problems.

Application Notes: Candidates must be New Zealand citizens, residents, or hold valid work visas. References will be requested later; please omit them in the initial CV. For inquiries, the contact is Cameron King at phone number 0220731320, quoting Job ID: 18425.