Group Director Operations - Capital Coast & Hutt Valley at Te Whatu Ora, Wellington

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Wellington & Hutt Valley based
• Make a real difference in our communities
• Pursue excellence in this senior leadership position

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 

Reporting to the Executive Regional Director – Central, the Group Director Operations (GDO) is responsible for delivering equitable, safe and effective hospital and specialist services that align with and deliver against the Health Delivery Plan and Health Targets.

They will support the delivery of the Hospital & Specialist Services (H&SS) local, regional and national priorities by working with clinical leadership to lead change programmes and manage resource allocation in their area.

The position is accountable for H&SS clinical and operational performance in the Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley (CCHV) District. This includes community-based care provided by Health NZ employed staff in areas such as mental health and addiction, and rehabilitation. Collaborating with other GDOs in the region to achieve the Health Delivery Plan and regional health targets at a system level is critical.

About the Service

CCHV serves a population of 540,00 people with a team of approx 10,000 staff and a budget of over $1.5bn.  We provide services to the community across a number of sites including Kapiti, Kenepuru, Porirua, Hutt Valley and Wellington, with Wellington Regional Hospital providing tertiary level servicesto the wider region .  The Mental Health, Addictions and Intellectual Disability Services also sit within this group and provide local, regional and some national services.

About you 

You will be a passionate leader with an executive level track record of success in strategic leadership and operational excellence, who thrives in collaborative environments. Your experience should include a strong background in healthcare leadership with a focus on delivering exceptional services.

You will bring:

• Extensive senior health sector experience in varied environments (approx. 10-15 years)
• Minimum 10 years Hospital or specialist service delivery experience at a senior level
• Proven experience successfully leading diverse teams through change and achieving improved results

 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, 8 February 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Matt Kelly at matt.kelly@tewhatuora.govt.nz  

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