Group Director Operations - Hospital and Specialist Services - Multiple roles at Te Whatu Ora, All Locations

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Join Te Whatu Ora at a key time of change where you will meaningfully contribute to our kaupapa of creating a more equitable, accessible, cohesive and people-centered health system. This is mahi that will improve the health and wellbeing of everyone in Aotearoa, and we've got an opportunity for you to be part of it.

Te whiwhinga mahi | The Opportunity

At this pivotal time for Aotearoa's Health Sector, we are seeking experienced healthcare leaders with a demonstrated passion for clinical and service excellence. Our GDO's are collaborative leaders, committed to making an enduring impact on the delivery of hospital and specialist services for Aotearoa. Join us at the forefront of healthcare transformation as we seek values-based leaders who are dedicated to access equity and operational excellence in the service of our communities.  

As GDO you will be part of a national team reporting to a Hospital and Specialist Services (H&SS) Regional Director and hold accountability for clinical and operational delivery across your Hospital Group. You will work with your Regional Director to set and facilitate rigorous performance management across priority areas so that services are delivered to the highest professional standards with respect to quality, access, and financial domains.

This critical role leads change, resource allocation, and collaborates closely with clinical leaders in the delivery of whanau centred services. The GDO will reflect the principles of access equity and Te Tiriti o Waitangi in all aspects of their leadership practice.  

GDO's will foster collaboration across the Hospital & Specialist Services leadership team to deliver the best services for all of Aotearoa. In practice this will involve building professional, collegial relationships with your peers to ensure networked ways of working. 

Currently we are seeking GDO's in the following locations: 

• Te Tai Tokerau - Northland  
• Waitemata  
• Waikato  
• Hauora a Toi - Bay of Plenty  
• Tairawhiti  
• Te Matau a Maui - Hawke's Bay  
• Whanganui  
• Te Pae Hauora o Ruahine o Tararua – Midcentral 
• Capital, Coast & Hutt Valley  
• Waitaha - Canterbury

Mōu | About you

Great candidates will have a record of relevant leadership expertise in the health sector, with a broad understanding of clinical systems, hospital operations, and specialist services. You will have a demonstrated commitment to equity, high-quality care and continuous improvement. Communication is at the heart of this role, so you will engage broadly with your people, colleagues and partners to build a networked culture that prioritises the patient and whanau experience. 

This is an opportunity to shape the future of healthcare in Aotearoa in an integrated, inclusive work environment that values your expertise. If you are excited about leading system and community-centred transformation, we encourage you to apply.  

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

• Extensive experience in varied environments ​(approx. 10-15 years)
• Minimum 5 years Hospital or specialist service delivery experience at a senior level
• Proven experience successfully leading diverse teams through change and achieving improved results
• Experience in emergency management ​

Ka kawea e koe | You will bring:

• A commitment to being a good Te Tiriti partner in all your actions. This includes an understanding of the significance of and obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and the ability to apply Te Tiriti principles in a meaningful way in this role
• Competency with te ao Māori, tikanga, and te reo Māori or a commitment to starting your journey and taking ownership of your learning and growth

Ko te mahi e tika ana mō te ao hurihuri nei |Work that suits today's ever-changing world

Te Whatu Ora supports flexible and hybrid working for our kaimahi. In roles that don't require an in-person element, we encourage you to ‘work from where you are.' We want our national teams to be made up of diverse people from across the motu, just like our health system.

Tō mātou whakahaere ki te tika, te rerekētanga, me te whai wāhi mai |Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

Our name, Te Whatu Ora, means ‘the weaving of wellness'. Whatu is the combining together of people, resources, organisations, thoughts and actions for the betterment and wellbeing of all. Whatu is also a direct reference to the pupil of the eye, and the vision required of the new entity and system.

At Te Whatu Ora we acknowledge and respect our people's diversity and spiritual needs, ensuring a safe workplace that is a whānau orientated and supportive environment. We are working towards a system that better meets the complex demands of a growing population, addresses the persistent inequalities experienced by Māori and ensures greater access, experience and outcomes for those traditionally not well served by the system – Māori, Pacific and Disabled People.

Tō tūranga i roto i Te Whatu Ora | Your place in Te Whatu Ora

When you join us, you become part of transforming the health system. This is a once in a lifetime change, that will touch the lives of everyone in Aotearoa, and future generations. We want to see the real you in your application and welcome the real you on board if you come and work with us. Skills are gained across many areas of our life, not just in formal employment. If you can demonstrate the skills listed in the ad, but the experience was gained through whānau life, community or mahi aroha (volunteering) we encourage you to apply and share your story with us in your cover letter.

We particularly welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

We are working in conjunction with Sheffield Recruitment on these roles. To apply, please submit your applications directly to Sheffield. To view the position description, please see attachment.  If you have any questions about the role, please feel free to contact Anesha Pillay via careers@health.govt.nz or Sheffield as per below:

Neil Munro via neil.munro@sheffield.co.nz (Te Tai Tokerau - Northland and Waitematā)

RachaeI Isaac-Kupenga via rachael.isaac-kupenga@sheffield.co.nz (Waikato, Hauora a Toi - Bay of Plenty and Tairāwhiti – Gisborne)

Nicholas Buck via nicholas.buck@sheffield.co.nz (Te Matau a Maui - Hawke's Bay, Whanganui and Waitaha - Canterbury & Te Tai o Poutini - West Coast)

Patrick Rooney via Patrick.Rooney@sheffield.co.nz (Te Pae Hauora o Ruahine o Tararua (MidCentral) and Capital, Coast & Hutt Valley)