Chief Advisor, Industrial Relations

Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand; New Zealand; Remote; NZD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is seeking a Chief Advisor, Industrial Relations to provide trusted, independent advice on complex and high-risk industrial matters across the organisation. You will work with the Head of Industrial Relations and senior leaders, offering a system-wide perspective to identify risks and opportunities.

You will influence at the highest levels, including the Executive Leadership Team, Chief Executive, Board and central agencies, and lead priority IR projects and

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in a large, complex organisation.
• Ability to advise and influence senior leaders in politically sensitive environments.
• Experience leading high-stakes projects and providing strategic advice.

Responsibilities

• Provide trusted, independent advice on complex and high-risk industrial matters across Health NZ.
• Influence at executive level including Executive Leadership Team, Chief Executive and Board.
• Represent and lead priority projects, advice and interventions across Industrial Relations.

Skills

Stakeholder influence

Public sector experience

Policy advisory

High-stakes projects

Education

Tertiary qualification

Job description

• Role can be based anywhere in New Zealand

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

As New Zealand's largest employer, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora operates across a large, diverse and roster-intensive workforce, making industrial relations a critical strategic priority. As Chief Advisor, Industrial Relations, you will provide trusted, independent and authoritative advice on complex and high-risk industrial matters across the organisation.

Working closely with the Head of Industrial Relations and senior leaders, you will bring a system-wide perspective to industrial relations, providing insight, constructive challenge and early advice on emerging risks and opportunities. You will advise and influence at the highest levels, including the Executive Leadership Team, Chief Executive, Board and, where required, the Minister and central agencies. You will also represent the Head of Industrial Relations as required and lead priority projects, advice and interventions across the function.

About you

You bring extensive experience in a large, complex organisation. You have the credibility and confidence to advise and influence senior leaders, and are comfortable operating in politically sensitive and highly confidential environments where sound judgement and independent thinking are essential.

You build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, including unions and central agencies, and can influence through expertise and credibility rather than formal authority. You have experience leading high-stakes projects and providing strategic advice in complex and ambiguous situations. A relevant tertiary qualification and public sector experience are desirable, as is a demonstrated commitment to achieving equitable outcomes for Māori and putting Te Tiriti o Waitangi into action.

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.

New Zealand - All Locations - Work from where you are

Job type: Permanent Full time

Non-clinical - Human Resources - Human Resources