District Chief Medical Officer

Nelson Marlborough Health; Marlborough; On-site; NZD 180,000 - 280,000; Part time

Job summary

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora in Nelson is seeking a District Chief Medical Officer (SMO) to provide strategic medical leadership across the Nelson Marlborough district. The role calls for collaboration with the Group Director Operations and district leaders to ensure clinical voice in senior decision-making and to deliver safe, high-quality patient care.

The position offers district-wide portfolio in clinical governance, safety and experience, workforce leadership and service planning, with

Qualifications

• Current vocational or general medical registration.
• Significant clinical leadership experience in NZ health sector.
• Demonstrated expertise in governance, patient safety and quality improvement.
• Strong strategic, financial and operational judgement.

Responsibilities

• Provide visible medical leadership across the Nelson Marlborough district.
• Collaborate with the Group Director Operations and district leadership to inform decisions.
• Oversee clinical governance, patient safety, workforce and service planning.
• Support equity outcomes for Māori, Pacific peoples and other communities.

Skills

Clinical governance

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Financial acumen

Education

Medical registration

Job description

• 0.6 FTE, Permanent position, Start ASAP
• Shape safe, high-quality and equitable care across Nelson Marlborough as a senior clinical leader.
• Partner with the Group Director Operations and district leadership team to ensure the clinical voice informs key decisions.
• Provide visible medical leadership across clinical governance, workforce, quality, safety and service continuity.

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 position is open to applications from Senior Medical Officers (SMOs) currently employed by Health NZ who are ready to broaden their leadership experience and contribute at a strategic and executive level. Based in Nelson, the role has district-wide responsibilities across Nelson and Marlborough.

As District Chief Medical Officer, you will provide strong, visible and inclusive professional and clinical leadership for the Nelson Marlborough district. You will inspire medical colleagues and the wider health workforce, while working in partnership with operational and clinical leaders to deliver safe, compassionate and high-quality patient care.

As part of the district leadership team, you will provide clinical partnership to the Group Director Operations and ensure the clinical voice is heard in senior decision-making. Your portfolio will span clinical governance, patient safety and experience, medical workforce leadership, service planning, quality improvement, risk management and the ongoing safe delivery of care. You will also help strengthen integrated, whole-of-system services and advance equitable outcomes for Māori, Pacific peoples, people with disabilities and other communities.

Depending on district requirements and your preference, a portion of the role may be allocated to continuing clinical practice. The remuneration basis is ASMS base salary plus an allowance.

This role sits within Hospital and Specialist Services / Clinical Leadership and is a key member of the Nelson Marlborough district senior leadership team. You will work closely with the Group Director Operations, other clinical chiefs and directors, service leaders, regional colleagues and national clinical networks to support sustainable services and strong clinical governance.

About you

You will be a respected, collaborative medical leader who can work confidently across complex clinical and operational environments. You will bring:

• Current vocational or general medical registration and an Annual Practising Certificate.
• Significant clinical leadership experience and extensive knowledge of the New Zealand health sector and clinical service delivery.
• Demonstrated expertise in clinical governance, patient safety, quality improvement, risk management and professional standards.
• Strong strategic, financial and operational judgement, with the ability to navigate ambiguity, influence decisions and lead sustainable change.
• Excellent communication and relationship skills, including the ability to negotiate, resolve conflict and build trusted partnerships across the health system and community.
• A practical understanding of Pae Ora, Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations and equity, with a commitment to culturally safe services and improved outcomes for Māori and other priority populations.

Working at 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.

If you have any questions about the role, please contact Philip Wheble – GDO,

For any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Athena Nguyen,

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert.