Senior Advisor - Quality & Patient Safety - Maternity at Te Whatu Ora, All Locations

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Influence national quality and patient safety outcomes for maternity services across Aotearoa
• Work at a strategic level with clinical leaders to drive system-wide improvement and innovation
• Play a key role in shaping policy, strengthening governance, and improving care for whānau

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is the country's largest employer, delivering universal public healthcare to 5 million New Zealanders. We provide essential hospital, specialist, and community health services across 80+ locations from large urban centres to rural towns and remote communities. Our goal is to improve health outcomes for all New Zealanders by delivering equitable, accessible and innovative care. 

About the Role

This national Senior Advisor – Quality and Patient Safety (Maternity) role sits within the Office of the Chief Clinical Officer and is responsible for supporting the delivery of a coordinated, high-quality patient safety programme across Health New Zealand. Working closely with the National Manager, QPS, the National Chief Midwife and regional leads, you will contribute to the implementation of national quality improvement and maternity work plans. The role plays a key part in strengthening clinical governance, developing policy and frameworks, and embedding consistent quality and safety systems that improve outcomes and experiences for whānau across the motu.

You will bring expert advice to patient safety initiatives through data analysis, reporting, and the development of improvement programmes, while also leading or supporting national reviews, adverse event processes, and training initiatives. With a strong focus on collaboration and influence, you will engage a wide range of stakeholders to identify risks, drive continuous improvement, and support organisational priorities. This role also contributes to high-quality briefings and reporting for senior leaders, ensuring that insights and recommendations inform decision-making at the highest level.

About the Service

The National Clinical Leadership team comprises the National Clinical Chiefs, Pacific Health, National Clinical Networks, Quality and Patient Safety, Safe Staffing Healthy Workplaces and the Resident Doctor Support Services teams.  This role is located in the Clinical Leadership Office, who provide support across the wider team in the areas of government services, executive and board level requirements (including reporting), project and programme management and oversight of the team's wider work programme. 

About you

You're a highly experienced health professional or advisor with a strong background in quality and patient safety, ideally within maternity services. You bring a collaborative, system-wide mindset, with the ability to translate complex data and policy into meaningful insights and practical improvements. Confident working at both strategic and operational levels, you're known for your sound judgement, strong communication skills and ability to influence across diverse stakeholder groups in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

You will bring:

• Proven experience in quality and patient safety within the health sector
• A relevant clinical or health qualification, with maternity experience highly desirable
• Strong understanding of clinical governance, risk management and adverse event processes
• Experience analysing data and translating insights into quality improvement initiatives
• Ability to develop high-quality briefings, reports and policy documents for senior leaders
• Excellent relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills
• Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail and problem-solving capability
• Confidence working across national programmes or complex organisations
• A commitment to equity and an understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in practice

Working for Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.  

How to Apply

To apply please click “apply now”. All applications must be submitted through our online careers' portal by Sunday, 26 July 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Maria Bennett via maria.bennett1@tewhatuora.govt.nz 

Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change affected employees will be given preference and priority for this position.