District Improvement Lead

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora invites applications for a District Efficiency Improvement Lead to steer the Efficiency Improvement Programme across Wellington District. You will report to the Group Director Operations, Capital, Coast & Hutt Valley and collaborate with senior clinical and operational leaders to drive sustainable improvements in productivity, financial stability and patient outcomes.

You will develop governance, dashboards and reporting, provide strategic advice, and ensure

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading large-scale programmes or transformation portfolios in health or public sector.
• Ability to translate complex information into actionable insights for executives.
• Proven track record delivering measurable improvements and sustainable outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the District's Efficiency Improvement Programme.
• Develop performance frameworks, dashboards and governance reporting.
• Provide strategic advice and evidence-based insights to support executive decision-making.
• Drive delivery and accountability for improvement initiatives and sustainability targets.
• Build relationships with clinical, operational and corporate leaders across the organisation.
• Identify, prioritise and implement opportunities to improve service performance and patient outcomes.
• Ensure robust programme governance, performance reporting and data integrity.

Skills

Programme leadership

Strategic thinking

Analytical capability

Stakeholder management

Change management

Education

Tertiary qualification

Project/Programme management cert

Tools

PRINCE2

PMI / Agile certs

Job description

Location: Wellington Regional Hospital Contract: Permanent, Full Time

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is dedicated to serving all New Zealanders. Through integration and collaboration, we're building a health system underpinned by partnership, equity, sustainability, whānau-centred care, and excellence.

About the Role

This is a unique opportunity to influence the strategic direction and operational performance of one of New Zealand's largest and most complex health districts. Reporting directly to the Group Director Operations, Capital, Coast & Hutt Valley, the District Efficiency Improvement Lead is responsible for driving the District's Efficiency Improvement Programme (EIP) and supporting the delivery of sustainable, high-quality healthcare services. Working across hospital and specialist services, you will lead the development, governance, monitoring and reporting of improvement initiatives that enhance productivity, strengthen financial sustainability and improve patient outcomes. You will partner with senior clinical and operational leaders to identify opportunities for improvement, provide robust analysis and insights, and ensure delivery of strategic priorities across the District. This role sits at the centre of decision-making, helping coordinate activity across services, directors, chiefs and operational leaders while ensuring the Group Director Operations has timely, high-quality information to support critical decisions. You will also work closely with Regional stakeholders and other District Efficiency Improvement Leads to build a strong regional community of practice and drive consistency and innovation across the health system.

Your key responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the District's Efficiency Improvement Programme.
• Develop and maintain performance frameworks, dashboards and governance reporting.
• Provide strategic advice and evidence-based insights to support executive decision-making.
• Drive delivery and accountability for improvement initiatives and sustainability targets.
• Build strong relationships with clinical, operational and corporate leaders across the organisation.
• Support the identification, prioritisation and implementation of opportunities that improve service performance and patient outcomes.
• Ensure robust programme governance, performance reporting and data integrity.

About You

• Significant experience leading large-scale programmes, performance initiatives or transformation portfolios.
• Strong strategic thinking, analytical capability and the ability to translate complex information into actionable insights.
• Experience working with senior executives and navigating complex stakeholder environments.
• A track record of delivering measurable organisational improvement and sustainable outcomes.
• Advanced relationship-building and influencing skills.
• A tertiary or professional qualification, ideally complemented by a project or programme management qualification such as PRINCE2, PMI or Agile certification.
• Clinical, operational or management experience within the New Zealand health sector will be highly regarded.

Working at Health New Zealand Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is 'the weaving of wellness'. We're dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of Aotearoa/New Zealand. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Health New Zealand are committed to being good employers and honouring our equal employment opportunity obligations. We embrace diversity and welcome application from all people, including all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and disability. A workforce that is diverse and inclusive means that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We are pro-equity health organisation, with a particular focus on Māori, Pacific Peoples, and the Disability Community.

All applications must be submitted through our online careers' portal by 7 October. We may review applications as they are received and reserve the right to progress candidates before the closing date.