Research Office Manager, Canterbury - Planning, Funding & Outcomes at Te Whatu Ora, Canterbury

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Permanent, part-time (0.8FTE; 64 hours per fortnight) position
• Based in Christchurch

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 role provides operational leadership to support the strategic direction of Health NZ's national research team, including line management of research administration staff and oversight of research office activities. You'll ensure robust infrastructure and policy frameworks are in place to enable timely study approvals aligned with capacity and capability requirements. As a key liaison across internal and external stakeholders, you'll lead business-as-usual functions, implement policy changes, and contribute to nationally significant programmes in collaboration with senior leaders. You'll also work closely with Māori research leaders to uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi and advance Māori health equity through culturally grounded research review. Regular reporting, committee participation, and engagement with the Research Office Managers Alliance (ROMA) will be central to your role, as will fostering a culture that translates new knowledge into equitable, high-quality healthcare outcomes.

About the Team

Based in Christchurch, this role has a regional reach within Te Waipounamu. It sits as part of a newly established national infrastructure committed to supporting ethical, high-quality research that drives better care for all New Zealanders. Reporting to the GM of Research, you'll be part of a forward-thinking team shaping a unified delivery model that strengthens research capacity and capability across the health system. With a focus on workforce development and strategic alignment, the service acts as a central hub for researchers and commercial partners, fostering collaboration and innovation to advance equitable health outcomes nationwide.

About you

You are a seasoned research leader with over five years' experience in research management, including the ethical and scientific review of proposals, and a strong track record of building research infrastructure within the health service. You excel at operational leadership, guiding research administration teams to deliver timely, high-quality support aligned with national strategy and capacity requirements. Your collaborative approach ensures effective stakeholder engagement, policy implementation, and contribution to programmes of national significance.  You are driven by a passion for translating new knowledge into improved, equitable health outcomes for all.

• Relevant post-graduate tertiary qualification at master's level or higher
• Minimum five years in management services including:
  • Senior leadership experience in a research role
  • Managing teams to deliver on agreed objectives
  • Working in the clinical research environment
• Minimum five years' experience in research management including:
  • Ethical and scientific review of research proposals
  • Monitoring the conduct of research projects
  • Providing transparent reporting on research activities
  • Supporting researchers and research teams within a health service environment
  • Engaging with external researchers and research agencies
  • to facilitate collaborative research
  • Negotiating and managing relationships with funders, sponsors, other research organisations and hospital management

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 DATE. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Debra Matich deb.matich@tewhatuora.govt.nz.

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

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process before the closing date of this advert.