Nurse Director - Medicine And Opr

New Zealand Government; Waikato; On-site; NZD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Waikato invites applications for Nurse Director, Medicine and Older Persons & Rehabilitation (OPR) Services at Waikato Hospital, Hamilton. You will provide professional nursing leadership, oversee operations, mentor leaders and drive clinical excellence, equity and continuous improvement across the service.

You will lead workforce planning, recruitment, succession planning and staff development; ensure governance, quality and patient safety, and build strong

Qualifications

• Registration as a Registered Nurse with an APC and a postgraduate qualification.
• Senior leadership experience in Acute Medical care, Internal medicine or Community Nursing.
• Proven success leading service improvement and workforce development.
• Strong strategic, operational, and financial management capability.
• Experience building partnerships across clinical, operational and executive teams.
• Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, health equity and improving outcomes.
• Ability to lead change and foster clinical excellence and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead district-wide nursing workforce governance and planning.
• Provide strategic leadership for innovative, evidence-informed models of care.
• Champion nursing quality governance to improve outcomes and safety.
• Advance Te Tiriti commitments, cultural safety and equitable health outcomes.
• Support service delivery across Waikato District and Te Manawa Taki region.

Skills

Senior nursing leadership

Strategic and financial management

Partnership building

Change leadership

Equity and Te Tiriti commitment

Education

Registered Nurse with APC and post-graduate qualification

Job description

Position and Location

Waikato Hospital, Hamilton

Permanent, full-time 80 hours / fortnight

About the Role

Shape service planning and delivery, improve patient experiences and support the future direction of Medicine and Older Persons & Rehabilitation (OPR). 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.

As Nurse Director, you will work collaboratively with clinical, operational and executive partners to shape service delivery, improve patient experiences and support the future direction of Medicine and OPR Services. You will provide professional nursing leadership, oversee nursing operations, mentor emerging leaders and promote a culture of clinical excellence, innovation and continuous improvement. You will work in partnership with both operational and medical leads to support delivery of safe, high-quality, evidence-based nursing and multidisciplinary care while driving service planning, transformation and improvement initiatives. You will champion patient experience, equity and access; lead workforce planning, recruitment, succession planning and staff development; and ensure effective governance, quality improvement, patient safety and risk management. The role will also include responsibility for operational performance, financial resources and service targets, as well as building strong partnerships with clinical leaders, primary care providers and community stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Workforce Leadership : Lead district-wide nursing workforce governance, driving safe patient care, workforce sustainability and future workforce planning.
• Practice Excellence : Provide strategic leadership for innovative, evidence-informed models of care that respond to population health needs and service priorities.
• Quality & Safety : Champion nursing quality governance to improve clinical outcomes, patient safety and care experience.
• Equity & Te Tiriti : Advance Te Tiriti o Waitangi commitments, cultural safety and equitable health outcomes through nursing leadership and capability development.
• Strategic & Operational Leadership : Provide professional and operational guidance that strengthens nursing performance, workforce capability and service delivery across the Waikato District and within the Te Manawa Taki region.

About the Team / Service

Medicine and OPR Services provides specialist care across all medical specialties including the Emergency Department and community nursing, supporting patients across Waikato and the wider region. The service is committed to delivering high-quality, equitable, patient-centred care through strong clinical leadership, innovation, and continuous improvement. As Nurse Director, you will be part of a collaborative leadership team focused on shaping the future of care while supporting and developing a highly skilled nursing workforce.

About Hamilton Waikato Hospital

Waikato Hospital is a major regional hospital in Hamilton and is a leading tertiary teaching hospital located in Hamilton, New Zealand, serving as the regional hub for the Midland area, which includes the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Lakes, Tairawhiti, and Taranaki districts. With around 722 inpatient beds, 22 operating theatres, and a dedicated outpatient clinic and procedure centre, Waikato Hospital provides comprehensive hospital services, including radiology, laboratory, and pharmacy. As a major teaching hospital with affiliations to the University of Auckland, University of Waikato, and Wintec, it offers a dynamic learning environment and access to research opportunities. The hospital is equipped with advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities located on the Waiora Waikato Hospital Campus, with both road and air ambulance support. Hamilton, where Waikato Hospital is situated, is a vibrant city nestled alongside the scenic Waikato River, offering a perfect mix of nature and culture. Explore the stunning Hamilton Gardens, home to themed gardens from Italy to Asia, or visit the Waikato Museum to delve into the region's rich history. The city also boasts the Hamilton Zoo, where you can walk through an aviary filled native birds. Hamilton is a lively hub, with a variety of cafes, restaurants, bars, along with events like rugby, cricket, and the famous National Agricultural Fieldays and Balloons over Waikato festival. With its vibrant atmosphere and proximity to outdoor adventures, Hamilton is an ideal place to live and work. For more information on living and working in Waikato click here.

About You

You are an influential nursing leader who is passionate about improving care for patients, whānau, and communities. You combine strategic thinking with operational excellence, inspire high-performing teams, and champion quality, equity, and innovation across complex healthcare environments.

You will bring

• Registration as a Registered Nurse with a current Annual Practising Certificate and a relevant post graduate qualification.
• Significant senior leadership experience in Acute Medical care, Internal medicine or Community Nursing.
• Demonstrated success leading service improvement, quality, safety, and workforce development initiatives.
• Strong strategic, operational, and financial management capability.
• Experience building effective partnerships across clinical, operational, and executive leadership teams.
• A commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, health equity, and improving outcomes for patients, whānau, and communities.
• The ability to lead change, influence across diverse stakeholder groups, and foster a culture of clinical excellence and continuous improvement.

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.

Additional Information

Click here to view the position description.