Director - Health, Quality & Safety Service at Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Lakes, Bay of Plenty

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Permanent - 0.6 FTE through to full time hours
• Influence healthcare excellence leading quality, safety, clinical governance, and equity initiatives across the District.
• Work where others holiday enjoy the beaches, cafes, and vibrant coastal lifestyle in Tauranga

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders.

About the Role

This is a significant leadership opportunity to shape how quality, safety and clinical governance are embedded across the Bay of Plenty district. As Director, Health Quality & Safety Service, you will lead a critical function that supports safer care, stronger systems, better consumer experience and improved outcomes for the communities we serve.

Interested in a flexible career opportunity? We are open to applications from individuals seeking anywhere between 0.6 FTE and full time employment, with flexibility to accommodate the needs of the successful candidate.

Working across quality, patient safety, clinical governance, improvement, risk, consumer feedback and regulatory compliance, you will provide visible and credible leadership that connects strategy with practice. A key focus will be strengthening equity, particularly for Māori, through meaningful partnership with Te Pare ō Toi and Hauora Māori services, and by ensuring improvement programmes are informed by whānau, consumer and community voice.

As a key member of the district leadership team, you will play an influential role in shaping how the district understands, responds to and improves quality and safety. Working alongside senior clinical and operational leaders, you will provide the leadership, advice and assurance needed to strengthen performance, embed learning, and ensure improvement activity is focused on the areas that matter most for patients, whānau and communities.

About the Team / Service / Location

The role is based in Tauranga leading a dedicated team who champion a culture of quality, safety, learning and equity throughout our health service across the Bay of Plenty region.

For more information on living and working in Tauranga Bay of Plenty, click here.

About You

You will be highly effective leader, with expert knowledge and management experience in clinical governance and risk management, and quality and patient safety. You will also demonstrate the following key competencies.

What you will bring:

• Masters degree in a healthcare related field
• Professional clinical qualification
• Consolidated knowledge and understanding of patient safety culture, human factors, and clinical governance.
• Able to demonstrate achievement in leading and successfully implementing change to improve clinical governance, patient safety and patient outcomes.
• Experience in data, health intelligence, transformation and innovation.
• Be future orientated see ahead clearly and anticipate future consequences and trends accurately.
• A people-oriented approach with well developed communication and interpersonal skills

To view the Position Description please click here.

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 Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

How to Apply

To apply for the role please click apply now.  All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal before 11:59pm on 20 November 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Stephanie, Stephanie.Joblin@tewhatuora.govt.nz.

Please note, we will be reviewing applications when received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert.