Recruitment Team Lead - Waikato at Te Whatu Ora, Waikato

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Hamilton based
• 18-month fixed term, full time 
• Step into a team that's helping build the future of healthcare for New Zealanders 

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  

The role requires an experienced recruitment leader who thrives in a complex, fast paced environment and brings a strong blend of strategic thinking and hands on operational capability. This position oversees high performing recruitment teams, providing guidance and development while ensuring consistent, high quality service delivery across multiple sites or districts. 

The role is responsible for building trusted relationships at all levels, from Executive Directors and General Managers to Clinical Leaders. It provides credible, proactive recruitment advice that supports organisational priorities and workforce planning needs. Strong judgement, excellent communication skills, and the ability to influence outcomes across diverse stakeholder groups are essential. 

This position also owns recruitment operations end to end, planning, coordinating and continuously improving services, while maintaining transparency through robust reporting and data insights. The role requires a collaborative leader who confidently represents their districts in national forums and contributes to key recruitment projects that enhance capability and align recruitment practice across the organisation. 

About you  

You're an experienced recruitment leader with a strong track record of delivering high quality recruitment services in large and complex environments. With at least eight years in recruitment leadership, you bring both strategic insight and practical expertise, backed by a relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent experience. 

You have a deep understanding of New Zealand employment legislation and know how to apply it confidently within a multilayered organisation. Your specialist recruitment expertise spans policy, systems, processes and best practice advisory, and you're comfortable working with both Individual Employment Agreements and Collective Agreements. 

You stay ahead of emerging talent sourcing trends and use this knowledge to shape effective recruitment plans that meet workforce needs. You're skilled at identifying opportunities for process improvement, particularly through the use of applicant tracking systems, data analysis and meaningful recruitment reporting.

Having a knowledge of Taleo applicant tracking system is an advantage. 

You thrive in environments where systems and processes are evolving, bringing agility, resilience and a solutions focused mindset. Relationship building comes naturally to you, you're a trusted advisor who communicates clearly, influences effectively and keeps stakeholders engaged. Above all, you bring exceptional customer focus and a commitment to delivering a seamless, positive experience for candidates, hiring managers and your team. 

Working at 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, 8 March. For further information, please contact  Matt Kelly at matt.kelly@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.