Manager Mental Health Quality and Practice - National Office at Ara Poutama Aotearoa (Department of Corrections), Wellington (Te Whanganui a Tara)

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Lead a national mental health function with real influence over practice, quality, and outcomes
• Shape service improvement and workforce capability across a complex, impactful health system
• Permanent, full‑time position based at our National Office in Wellington

Mō te tūnga | About the role

We're looking for an influential mental health leader to step in as Manager Mental Health Quality & Practice within our Pae Ora Services group. This is a pivotal role that shapes how high‑quality and culturally responsive mental health services are delivered to people in our care, both by our own teams and our contracted providers.

You'll work closely with the Chief Mental Health & Addictions Officer to drive a strategic work programme focused on improving mental health outcomes across the prison network. Leading a team of dedicated specialists, you'll guide the development of mental health practice, service design, and policy, ensuring our approach is aligned with sector standards and evolving best practice.

A key part of the role is strengthening the quality and consistency of mental health services nationwide. You'll lead our quality assurance and clinical governance work, oversee performance and delivery across contracted providers, and champion continuous improvement initiatives that enhance safety and service effectiveness.

You'll also play a central role in building capability across the mental health workforce. By providing strong, inclusive leadership, you'll support your team to operate as a centre of excellence and ensure staff and partners are equipped with the guidance, tools, and frameworks they need to deliver best‑practice care.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Extensive Experience as a mental health clinician.
• Brings strategic thinking and leadership experience in health settings.
• Has strong knowledge of mental health practice, policy, and legislation.
• Demonstrates a commitment to working effectively with Māori and upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• Is a respected leader with a track record of driving change and building collaborative relationships.
• Has experience in developing clinical policies, quality frameworks, and service design.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Relevant tertiary qualification in mental health or related field.
• Proven leadership experience in the health sector.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Ngā painga | The benefits

The midpoint of the salary range is $182,127 per annum and the full range (85%-120%) is $154,808 - $218,553 per annum. Appointment and remuneration will reflect skills and experience relevant to the role.

Mō mātou | About us

Join Ara Poutama Aotearoa - Department of Corrections, where your work will contribute to improving public safety, reducing re-offending, and address the overrepresentation of Māori in correctional facilities. As a values-led organisation, we use the principles of rangatira (leadership), manaaki (respect), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship), and whānau (relationships) to guide our work and achieve the goals of our Hōkai Rangi strategy.

We value inclusion and diversity in our workforce, and as a Public Service organisation we are committed to building a workforce that reflects the public we serve. We strive to make our recruitment process fair, and we encourage you to discuss reasonable accommodations with us if required.

Tono ināianei | Apply Now

To submit an application and view the position description, click the apply link. All applications must be submitted through our careers site to ensure transparency – applications received via email will not be considered.

When applying, submit a tailored CV and a cover letter describing your motivation for joining the department highlighting relevant skills and experience and the alignment to our work.

Applications close 11pm Tuesday, 17 February 2026

If you have any questions or want to learn more about a career with us, contact Quentin.Campbell@corrections.govt.nz, or visit careers.corrections.govt.nz.