AI Programme Lead

Hato Hone St John; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Hato Hone St John in New Zealand invites a strategic leader to shape the organisation’s AI future on a 6-month fixed-term basis. You will lead the AI programme, set governance, roadmaps, and foundations for responsible adoption, collaborating with clinical, digital, and community teams to identify high-value opportunities.

You’ll drive safe, ethical AI deployment, build change capability, and engage stakeholders across all levels to turn ideas into tangible value for our people and communities.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading enterprise-wide digital, data, or business transformation initiatives.
• Strong understanding of AI opportunities, risks, and responsible adoption.
• Proven experience in programme governance, portfolio management, and investment planning.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with the ability to work across all levels.
• Ability to translate complex challenges into practical solutions that deliver business value.

Responsibilities

• Identify and assess AI opportunities across the business to drive innovation and operational value.
• Establish governance, risk, and responsible AI frameworks to ensure safe and ethical adoption.
• Build the foundations for successful AI implementation, including change management, capability development, and stakeholder engagement.
• Partner with leaders, clinicians, and digital teams to prepare and prioritise AI initiatives for delivery.

Skills

Enterprise digital transformation

AI opportunities & risk

Governance & portfolio management

Stakeholder engagement

Translating complex challenges into P&

Job description

Hato Hone St John has been serving New Zealanders since 1885. Today, we have nearly 12,000 kaimahi working across Aotearoa to enhance the health and wellbeing of our communities. From responding to 111 calls to supporting people to stay healthy through health education, access and monitoring, we make a life-changing difference every day.

Job Description

Join us on a 6-month fixed-term contract where you'll shape the organisation’s AI future, leading the development of our AI programme and creating the governance, roadmap, and foundations required for responsible AI adoption. Working closely with leaders, clinical, community and digital teams, you'll help identify high-value opportunities, drive innovation, and ensure AI is implemented safely, ethically, and in a way that delivers real impact for our people and communities.

While Auckland is the preferred location, we are open to this role being based in other key locations, with periodic travel as needed.

• Identify and assess AI opportunities across the business to drive innovation and operational value.
• Establish governance, risk, and responsible AI frameworks to ensure safe and ethical adoption.
• Build the foundations for successful AI implementation, including change management, capability development, and stakeholder engagement.
• Partner with leaders, clinicians, and digital teams to prepare and prioritise AI initiatives for delivery.

Qualifications

Ko wai koe - About you:

You’re a strategic and adaptable leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment. You enjoy bringing people together, navigating change, and turning ideas into meaningful outcomes. With a practical, positive approach and a focus on results, you’ll be excited by the opportunity to help shape the organisation’s AI journey and make a lasting impact.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Extensive experience leading enterprise-wide digital, data, or business transformation initiatives.
• Strong understanding of AI opportunities, risks, and responsible adoption.
• Proven experience in programme governance, portfolio management, and investment planning.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with the ability to work across all levels.
• Ability to translate complex challenges into practical solutions that deliver business value.

At Hato Hone St John, we embrace diversity, welcoming everyone to bring their authentic selves to work. We value unique perspectives, fostering inclusivity to better serve our communities, and we’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone belongs.

Research shows that women and people from under-represented groups are less likely to apply for roles when their experience doesn’t match the job description perfectly.