Assistant Manager

Assistant Manager job advert 

The Barn Cabins & Camp – Marahau, Abel Tasman National Park

Are you looking for more than just a job?

Do you thrive in fast-paced hospitality environments, enjoy leading from the front, and want to spend your days living and working at the gateway to one of New Zealand’s most iconic national parks?

We are looking for a motivated, hands-on Assistant Manager to join our team at The Barn Cabins & Camp in beautiful Marahau, right at the start of the Abel Tasman National Park.

The Barn is more than just accommodation - it’s an experience. We welcome travellers from all over the world across, creating a fun, social and memorable environment for solo travellers, couples and families alike. We value bringing a diverse range of options for guests to enjoy from camping options to dorm beds to luxury glamping to ensuite cabins and self-contained houses. With up to 160 guests onsite during peak season, no two days are the same.

We have accommodation and tourism offerings, a nursery, veggie gardens, ducks and chickens wandering around, outdoor social spaces, and an incredible location with beaches, hiking, kayaking and adventure activities right on our doorstep. We not only welcome guests and check them in, but we also help people book trips and have the best possible time they can in the Abel Tasman!

We are looking for someone who genuinely wants to be here, is excited about hospitality and tourism, and is ready to become an integral part of our team and culture.

About the Role

This is a full-time, live-on-site leadership role requiring a strong team player who leads from the front. You will work closely with management to help oversee the day-to-day operations of the property and ensure guests leave with an exceptional experience.

This is a hands-on role involving all areas of the business including:

• Reception and customer service – welcoming guests, checking guests in and out, answering questions and resolving concerns, assisting with trip bookings, and driving activity and accommodation sales. 
• Housekeeping leadership – leading the day-to-day housekeeping operations, ensuring high cleanliness standards, quality control, organisation, and helping the team stay motivated and efficient. 
• Staff supervision and training – helping train and support new staff, ensuring team members are fulfilling their duties to a high standard and within expected timeframes. 
• Grounds and maintenance coordination – working alongside management and the maintenance team to ensure the property, facilities and outdoor spaces are well maintained, organised and presented beautifully. 
• Activity and tourism sales – learning the wide range of experiences available in the Abel Tasman area and helping guests choose the best activities to make the most of their stay. 
• Problem solving and daily operations – managing day to day operations in reception and taking a lead in problem solving when the manager is not available. Helping ensure the day runs smoothly across all departments and confidently stepping in to resolve operational or guest issues when needed. 
• Helping maintain a fun, positive team culture – many of our staff are travelling on working holiday visas, so creating a supportive, social and enjoyable workplace is really important to us. We want staff to genuinely enjoy their time here and feel proud of what we create together at The Barn. 

You’ll be involved in everything from helping guests plan their Abel Tasman adventures to jumping into housekeeping when needed, managing daily operational flow, handling guest concerns, and supporting staff across departments.

We are looking for someone who is a quick learner, highly proactive, confident taking initiative, and brings positive energy that lifts the people around them. Enthusiasm, adaptability and a genuine desire to be part of The Barn culture are essential for this role.

What We’re Looking For

You’ll ideally have:

• Previous experience in hospitality, tourism, accommodation or team leadership 
• Excellent customer service and communication skills
• A positive, energetic and proactive attitude 
• Confidence in leading, guiding and motivating a team 
• Excellent organisation skills and time management 
• The ability to work independently and under pressure 
• Good attention to detail and high presentation standards, having an eye for interior design and beauty is a big plus!
• A practical, hands-on approach to work 
• Flexibility with hours, including weekends and public holidays 
• A genuine interest in the Abel Tasman area and outdoor lifestyle 
• Driver’s licence and own vehicle and ability to commit

Bonus points for:

• Reception or reservation system experience 
• Housekeeping leadership experience 
• Tourism sales knowledge 
• Barista skills 
• Maintenance or grounds experience 

What the Role Includes

• Onsite accommodation available 
• Minimum 25+ hours per week over quieter months, increasing to over 35+ hours during peak the season 
• On-call responsibilities up to 3 nights per week 
• Full training provided 
• Opportunity for a longer-term role for the right person 
• The chance to live and work in one of New Zealand’s most incredible locations 

The Type of Person Who Will Love This Role

Someone who:

• Enjoys being busy and involved in many different parts of a business 
• Loves hospitality and creating memorable guest experiences 
• Can stay calm under pressure and solve problems on the go 
• Wants to grow within the tourism/accommodation industry 
• Is motivated, reliable and genuinely excited to be part of The Barn culture 

The Barn is iconic, and our staff are a huge part of the experience guests remember. We are looking for someone who wants to contribute positively to the vibe, culture and ongoing growth of the place - not someone simply looking to fill time with a temporary job.

To Apply

Please send us:

• Your CV 
• A short cover letter telling us about yourself 
• Your availability to start 
• How long you are hoping to stay 
• Your right to work in New Zealand 

You can also check out our website to get a feel for the place:

The Barn Cabins & Camp

We’d love to hear from you if this sounds like your kind of adventure.