Manager, Quality Assurance And Risk

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 104,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life cover up to $300,000

Critical illness protection

Discounted insurances

Free will services

Defence community savings schemes

Job summary

New Zealand Defence Force is seeking a talented health services quality and improvement lead. The role develops, leads and manages risk, quality and improvement for Joint Support Group (JSG) to ensure integrated health services for NZDF personnel both domestically and overseas.

Responsibilities include leading service delivery improvements with DHO/FHO, monitoring performance and risk systems, and providing subject matter expertise.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in Quality Assurance and Improvement (5+ years) in the health sector.
• Knowledge of clinical practice, health management processes and systems.
• Familiar with NZ health legislation and compliance for health services.
• Experience with risk management practices and quality improvement tools.

Responsibilities

• Identify and lead improvements in service delivery in collaboration with DHO and FHO.
• Develop and monitor health services performance and risk management systems.
• Provide SME support with FHO and DHO Quality and Clinical Advisors.
• Build positive stakeholder relationships with a customer-first mindset.
• Report on organisational performance against agreed goals and objectives.

Skills

Quality Assurance

Risk management

Health services knowledge

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

MŌ te tūnga | About the role

Joint Support Group (JSG) provides multifunctional health services to the New Zealand Defence Force personnel both within New Zealand and overseas in support of all NZDF outputs. The purpose of this position is to develop, lead and manage risk, together with quality and improvement for JSG.

Other key responsibilities

• Responsible for identifying and leading in collaboration with DHO and FHO improvements in service delivery to support JSG developing an integrated and holistic health service to all military personnel in NZDF.
• Development and monitoring of health services performance and risk management systems and processes.
• Work with the FHO and DHO Quality and Clinical Advisors to provide subject matter expertise and support.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with internal stakeholders continually maintaining “customer first” mindset.
• Undertake organisational performance reporting against agreed goals and objectives.

The salary for this role ranges from $104,214 - $115,131, inclusive of a 4% superannuation contribution. Appointments within this range are based on skills and experience.

Ngā ēpunga me ī ē mahi | Skills and Experience

• Extensive experience in Quality Assurance and Improvement (5 or more years' experience) in the health sector.
• Sound knowledge of clinical practice, health management processes and systems.
• Sound knowledge of NZ health legislation and compliance relating to the provision of health services.
• Sound knowledge of risk management and practices.
• In-depth experience of quality improvement and assurance systems, tools and processes.

You will also be a confident communicator, be engaging with your stakeholders and teams you work alongside and be customer service centric. This role requires occasional domestic travel throughout New Zealand; you will need to have no issues with travel and have a clean Class 1 Full Driver's Licence.

Nŏu te rourou | What's in it for you

Your skills and dedication deserve recognition, and NZDF delivers with competitive pay matched to your experience. But that's just the beginning – safeguard your loved ones with a fully funded life cover of up to $300,000 and critical illness protection. Other benefits include discounted additional insurances, free will services and savings schemes for the Defence community. Get expert financial guidance and mortgage broker services. Find all our benefits and more on the Force 4 Families website. NZDF champions diversity and inclusivity, valuing every member and fuelling their success. We embrace uniqueness, understanding that diverse teams drive creativity, innovation, and excellence. With an open door to all – irrespective of gender, ethnicity, ability, age, or family dynamics – NZDF offers a flexible, empowering work environment. Join us in shaping a brighter future, where everyone thrives.

Applications close on Monday 26 October 2026.

Applicants will be required to undergo a pre-employment drug-screening test prior to any offer of employment being made.

Please Note: To be eligible for the required level of government security clearance with the NZ Defence Force, you need to meet certain citizenship and residency criteria. Here's what you need to know:

Low Level Security Clearance

• You must be a New Zealand citizen or you must hold New Zealand Permanent Residence or have a current New Zealand Residency Class Visa.
• At minimum, you must hold New Zealand Permanent Residence or have a current New Zealand Residency Class Visa, and you must be a citizen of and have lived in Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, United States of America or New Zealand continuously for the last five (5) years.
• You must have a five (5) year background history that can be verified and assessed appropriately by the NZ Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) to determine if you are suitable for a security clearance at this level.

If you do not meet the minimum criteria, unfortunately, your application will not be accepted. We do welcome your application at a time when you will meet the requirements.