Nurse Unit Manager

New Zealand Government; Auckland; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is seeking an experienced senior nurse to lead hospital-wide operational delivery, focusing on acute patient flow, capacity, demand and governance. You will influence service delivery and workforce development across the Auckland site, applying Care Capacity principles for safe, timely care.

The role demands collaborative leadership, change management and a commitment to equity for Māori, with opportunities to drive system-wide improvements and transformational

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse with current Nursing Council of NZ Annual Practising Certificate.
• Post-graduate qualification in nursing.
• Minimum five years' post-registration nursing experience.
• Advanced experience within a relevant nursing specialty.
• Demonstrated leadership and people management experience.
• Strong understanding of quality improvement, workforce management and service delivery.
• Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and achieving equitable outcomes for Māori.

Responsibilities

• Provide visible and effective clinical, professional and operational leadership across hospital operations.
• Lead and support teams to deliver safe, high-quality patient care.
• Support effective management of capacity, demand and patient flow across hospital operations.
• Lead workforce planning, staff development and performance.
• Ensure quality, safety and clinical governance requirements are maintained.
• Manage resources effectively to support service delivery.
• Lead and embed continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support teams through service change and transformation.

Skills

Nurse leadership

Change management

Quality improvement

Staff development

People management

Education

Post-graduate nursing qualification

Job description

Based at Auckland City Hospital in the Integrated Operating Centre (IOC) Full-time, fixed-term contract: 12 December 2026 to 9 October 2027 Senior nursing leadership role with significant operational influence Opportunity to lead service delivery, workforce development, quality improvement and patient outcomes *** Secondment Opportunity Only *** 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 is a unique opportunity for an experienced senior nurse to broaden and strengthen their leadership expertise in hospital-wide operations. Unlike a traditional Nurse Unit Manager role, this position plays a pivotal role in the day-to-day operational leadership of the hospital, with a particular focus on acute patient flow, capacity and demand. You will provide leadership across the acute patient journey, working collaboratively with clinical teams and operational leaders to ensure the right capacity is available to meet patient demand. A key focus will be applying Care Capacity principles to support safe, timely and effective patient care, while responding to the dynamic demands of a complex hospital environment. This role offers an excellent development opportunity for a senior nurse who is looking to extend their leadership beyond a single service or unit and gain valuable experience in hospital operations, patient flow, capacity management and system-wide decision-making. You will be accountable for:

• Providing visible and effective clinical, professional and operational leadership.
• Leading and supporting teams to deliver safe, high-quality patient care.
• Supporting effective management of capacity, demand and patient flow across Hospital Operations.
• Leading workforce planning, staff development and performance.
• Ensuring quality, safety and clinical governance requirements are maintained.
• Managing resources effectively to support service delivery.
• Leading and embedding continuous improvement initiatives.
• Supporting teams through service change and transformation.

About the Team/Service

At Te Toka Tumai Auckland, we are not just hiring we are building the future. Aotearoa's health system is in an exciting period of transformation, underpinned by the vision of Pae Ora / Healthy Futures. Together, we are creating a more equitable, accessible, and people-centred health system that works for everyone. Working alongside multidisciplinary teams, you will play a key role in leading frontline services, supporting staff development, ensuring safe and effective patient care, and driving service excellence.

About you

You will be an experienced nursing leader who can inspire teams, manage change effectively and build a culture focused on quality, equity and patient-centred care.

Essential requirements

• Registered Nurse with a current Nursing Council of New Zealand Annual Practising Certificate
• Post-graduate qualification in nursing
• Minimum five years' post-registration nursing experience
• Advanced experience within a relevant nursing specialty
• Demonstrated leadership and people management experience
• Strong understanding of quality improvement, workforce management and service delivery
• Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and achieving equitable outcomes for Māori

Desirable

• Master's qualification
• Previous Nurse Unit Manager or senior Charge Nurse or equivalent leadership experience
• Project management experience
• Management training
• Advanced quality and service improvement skills

About the location

Auckland is New Zealand's largest city and offers an outstanding lifestyle, combining world-class healthcare, diverse communities, vibrant culture, and easy access to beaches, islands, and outdoor activities. For more information on living and working in Auckland click here.

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 Belinda Peddie [e-mail]

Health New Zealand reserves the right to close this advertisement early should a suitable candidate be identified or a sufficient number of applications be received.