Ben Knight

Experience

• 

  Communications Trumps

  Jan 2000 - Jan 2001

  Public Relations Account Executive

  Key Roles and responsibilities:• Assisted account managers and wider communications team to deliver communications and marketing solutions for our clients in the government and corporate sectors• Organized functions and events, drafted media statements and other communications and marketing content, networked with clients and media

• 

  Divers World (1999) LTD

  Mar 2002 - Oct 2003

  Dive Instructor and Retail Sales

  Key Roles and responsibilities:• Delivery of learn to dive programs in accordance with training agency processes and procedures • Product and training retail sales and customer service

• 

  Adventure Education and Divers World

  Nov 2003 - May 2005

  Training manager

  Key Roles and responsibilities:• Managed a team to deliver learn to dive programs• Sales and marketing of dive training programs and equipment • Carried out regular safety checks and maintenance of training equipment • Organized and supervised recreational diving activities

• 

  New Zealand Red Cross

  May 2005 - Oct 2006

  Workplace 1st Aid Instructor

  Key Roles and responsibilities:• Delivered first aid training programs to workplaces, schools and the public • Carried out NZQA unit standard assessments of students first aid skills

• 

  Sterling Leisure NZ LTD

  Oct 2005 - Aug 2014

  Managing Director

  Managing director, owner and operator of Sterling Leisure NZ LTD, a business that specialises in the import and distribution of premium quality diving and watersports products.Key Roles and responsibilities:• Sales and marketing • Product development, procurement and pricing• Preparation and presentation of trading proposals to, and negotiation of trade agreements with, retail partners• Warehousing/inventory control/ international shipping/inwards goods and dispatch• Tax and general business administration/accounts payable and receivable/HR • Cash flow forecasting/profit and loss analysis/foreign exchange risk management• Running trade show exhibits and events Show less

• 

  Dive Kapiti

  Oct 2009 - Aug 2014

  Managing Director

  Key Roles and responsibilities:• I established this successful dive retail and charter business to compliment my dive and water sports wholesale/import and distribution business• Marketing, communications and promotion of the business with a strong emphasis on the use of social media as well as radio and print media• Planning and delivery of dive training and recreational diving programmes for local and tourist clients• Developed risk analysis and management systems for diving activities and dive charter operations• Developed health and safety procedures and documentation relating to the operating of the business including regular safety audits and scheduled maintenance of hire/training equipment Show less

• 

  New Zealand Red Cross

  Apr 2016 - Mar 2017

  Workplace First Aid Instructor

  Key Roles and responsibilities:• Delivering workplace and outdoor first aid training programs to workplaces, schools and the public • Conducting NZQA unit standard assessments of students first aid skills• First aid equipment sales

• 

  Mountains to Sea Wellington Trust

  Nov 2016 - Apr 2018

  Experiencing Marine Reserves Programme Coordinator

  Key Roles and responsibilities:• Deliver the EMR marine conservation programme to schools and community groups • Supporting students and wider school community to develop Kaitiaki action projects utilising citizen science and environmental monitoring tools such as marine meter squared to monitor and improve the health of their local coastal and marine environment• Developing and facilitating street, beach and stormwater litter monitoring projects• Develop relationships with schools, educators, funders and other stakeholders to support the growth of EMR programme in Kāpiti including attending and speaking at educator huis and other meetings and events • Organization and management of community snorkel events• Ensure participants have a safe, fun and enjoyable experience while developing their knowledge of and connections to the local marine & coastal environment Show less

• 

  NIWA

  Aug 2017 - Sept 2018

  Fisheries Data Collector

  Key Roles and responsibilities:• Intercept and interview recreational fishers as part of a nationwide, year long national fishing survey • Record fishing effort and measure and record fish catch data using standardized data sheets and methodology

• 

  Sustainable Coastlines

  May 2018 - now

  • A senior leadership position at one of New Zealand’s leading conservation and environment organisations, leading and directing the Engagement Team to ensure we deliver on Sustainable Coastlines strategic goal of a 60% reduction in coastal and marine litter by 2030• Management of key relationships with central and local government agencies, mana whenua, programme funders and other stakeholders across New Zealand and the Pacific• Responsible for contributing to a range of learning and development, technology and other programme and organisational developent workstreams as well as contract management, team budget, performance and reporting requirements Show less • A leadership role with responsibility for ensuring the effective delivery of the New Zealand’s only nationwide volunteer beach, freshwater and stormwater litter monitoring programme called Litter Intelligence• Direct responsibility for the management of the Litter Intelligence programme team, programme deliverables and key internal and external relationships including with government stakeholders and funders such as the Ministry for the Environment, Department of Conservation, and local and regional councils • Responsible for ensuring the project stays within budget, meets or exceeds funder and programme milestones and deliverables, and that all reporting commitments to funders and other stakeholders are met Show less • A key strategic role that oversees the effective collaboration of various community, business, school and iwi groups to deliver on Sustainable Coastlines strategic plan through the development of conservation, waste and litter reduction programmes that use citizen science as a key tool to engage and educate.• This is a cross-programme role that is highly collaborative with the aim to see citizen science ingrained as a key volunteer and community engagement, learning and connection to nature tool, leading to positive outcomes for the environment and surrounding communities where we work.• The implementation of these programmes aims to address the challenge of litter in the marine environment and the challenge of poor freshwater quality, with a long-term goal of working towards Sustainable Coastlines’ vision for Beautiful Beaches, Healthy Water and Inspired People. Show less • Working with a team to develop and implement a nationwide citizen science-based beach litter monitoring programme and accompanying litter reduction education and citizen science training programmes• Engagement and training of school, community and corporate volunteers to conduct beach litter surveys in their role as citizen scientists• Tree planting and beach clean-up event planning, coordination, marketing and on-the-day management.• Delivery of Sustainable Coastlines Love Your Coast and Love Your water education programmes & activities to schools, community groups and corporate and business clients.• Developing and maintaining strong relationships with community groups, educators and other stakeholders. Show less

  • Engagement Director

    Jan 2023 - now

  • Litter Intelligence Programme Manager

    Mar 2022 - Jan 2023

  • Citizen Science Manager

    Sept 2020 - Mar 2022

  • Programmes Manager

    May 2018 - Aug 2020