Regional Integrated Operations Lead - Te Manawa Taki at Te Whatu Ora, Waikato

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Location: Work from anywhere in Te Manawa Taki
• Permanent Full Time
• Regional Performance and Improvement Team in the Office of the Executive Regional Director
• Work alongside clinical and operational teams to improve hospital flow, access for patients and ensure best use of resources for excellent patient care.

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 purpose of the Regional Integrated Operations Lead (RIOL) role is to drive a connected, efficient, and equitable health system across Te Manawa Taki. This position is instrumental in improving end-to-end patient flow by leading the integration of governance, planning, response, and review processes. Reporting to the Director of Performance and Improvement, the RIOL will ensure that operational decisions are aligned across national, regional, and district levels to deliver better health outcomes and a seamless patient experience.

In this role, you will work closely with District IOC Director/Manager, Group Directors of Operations, Clinical and Operational Leads, and primary care partners to implement national strategies—particularly those focused on improving hospital flow and achieving the Shorter Stays in ED (SSED) health target. You will engage with Hospital Performance teams, Planning Funding and Outcomes, and the National Acute Care team to align regional initiatives with national service delivery models. You will lead the standardisation and integration of care delivery across the region, enhancing consistency, equity, and quality of care. A key focus will be establishing systems for real-time visibility and situational awareness to support proactive, informed decision-making.

The role also provides regional leadership during periods of operational pressure, critical incidents and emergency events, working closely with regional emergency management team, the Office of the Executive Regional Director team to coordinate system-wide responses.

Success in this role requires a strategic, collaborative leader with a clinical background and significant experience in hospital operations and system performance. The role requires someone who can build strong relationships across a complex health system and translate strategy into operational delivery with a wide range of stakeholders. Strategic alignment with national healthcare priorities and structures is also critical to ensuring consistent, high-standard care delivery across the region.

 About the Team & Service

This role will be working alongside members of the Performance and Improvement team in the Midland | Te Manawa Taki Office of the Executive Regional Director who will provide collegial support and will report to Director of Performance and Improvement.  The team is located across the region so regular touch points will be established.

 About you

• You are a seasoned healthcare leader with over 10 years' experience in hospital operations management within complex, multifaceted environments.
• You hold relevant graduate and postgraduate qualifications, including clinical credentials, and bring a strong understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its practical application in healthcare.
• Your strategic mindset is matched by your ability to translate vision into actionable plans, ensuring services evolve to meet population health needs.
• Your leadership style is collaborative and performance-driven, with a proven track record of engaging teams, managing change, and delivering results.
• You bring expertise in operational and capacity planning, service development, and quality improvement, supported by strong business acumen and analytical skills.
• Experience with CIMS Level 4, programme and project management methodologies, and working in confidential environments further strengthens your capability.
• Your systems-thinking approach enables you to integrate strategy, operations, and stakeholder engagement effectively.

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, 13 September. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Matt Kelly at matt.kelly@tewhatuora.govt.nz  

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