Operations Lead - Surgical Services

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

Benefits offered by this job

Learning environment

Supportive culture

Great lifestyle options

Wellness programmes

Job summary

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is seeking an experienced Operations Lead to oversee the Surgical Service at Palmerston North Hospital. The role focuses on operational leadership, service planning, workforce capability, financial management and continuous improvement to deliver high‑quality, equitable patient care.

You will work with clinical and service leaders to balance immediate needs with long‑term priorities, driving performance, change and a culture of safety and excellence across the

Qualifications

• Senior operational leadership experience, ideally in healthcare
• Strong strategic thinking and sound judgement
• Experience in financial and resource management
• Proven ability to lead change and continuous improvement

Responsibilities

• Provide operational leadership for Surgical Service at Palmerston North Hospital
• Lead service planning, performance, workforce capability and risk management
• Drive continuous improvement and operational efficiency
• Coordinate change initiatives and sustain a high‑performing culture
• Support patient flow, service integration and outcomes across the team

Skills

Senior leadership

People leadership

Strategic thinking

Financial management

Change management

Communication

Job description

Operations Lead – Surgical Service Palmerston North Hospital | Fixed Term, Full-time

• Senior operational leadership opportunity within Surgical Services
• Lead service performance, people, planning and continuous improvement
• Make a meaningful contribution to high-quality, equitable patient care

Benefits

• An encouraging learning environment where you will continue to grow and be challenged
• A professional and supportive culture and team setting
• Fulfilling and challenging work with great lifestyle options
• Tailored wellness programmes

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

We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Operations Lead to provide operational leadership for our Surgical Service at Palmerston North Hospital. This is a key leadership opportunity where you will work alongside clinical and service leaders to ensure the effective delivery of safe, high-quality, patient and whānau-centred services. You will provide leadership across service planning, operational performance, workforce capability, financial management, risk and continuous improvement. A strong focus of the role will be supporting service performance and sustainability while identifying opportunities to improve patient flow, service integration and operational efficiency. You will lead and support change and improvement initiatives while developing a positive, high-performing culture and enabling teams to deliver excellent outcomes. You will bring together people, performance and planning, balancing immediate operational requirements with longer-term service priorities.

About you

• Demonstrated senior operational and people leadership experience, ideally within a complex healthcare environment
• Strong strategic thinking, sound judgement and the ability to manage competing operational priorities
• Experience in financial and resource management, service planning and managing operational risk
• Proven ability to lead change, continuous improvement, projects and service development
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively with clinical, operational and organisational stakeholders
• A strong commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, equity, culturally responsive services and improving outcomes for Māori

About the Team/Service

The Surgical Service provides a broad range of surgical care to patients across MidCentral and works collaboratively with multidisciplinary clinical and operational teams to deliver safe, timely and effective services. The Operations Lead will work closely with service and clinical leadership, frontline leaders and other teams across the organisation to support effective service delivery, workforce capability, operational performance and continuous improvement.

Te Pae Hauora o Ruahine o Tararua – MidCentral is a 350-bed hospital in the city of Palmerston North, Manawatū, a city in the Lower North Island of New Zealand. Palmerston North Hospital is a secondary hospital and offers most medical and surgical specialties with the exception of Cardiothoracic, Plastic and Neurosurgery. The hospital serves a local population of 180,000 but is the base for a regional head and neck oncology service which has responsibility for a population of 550,000 and draws patients from Whanganui, Taranaki, and Hawke's Bay. Employing over 2500 people, MidCentral offers a supportive work environment that accepts and values all employees. We actively seek Māori kaimahi into our workforce and provide an environment which delivers our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

About the Location

Manawatū offers the perfect blend of city convenience and rural charm. Whether you're drawn to peaceful village life, vibrant townships, or the buzz of the city, you'll find your ideal lifestyle here. It's a family-friendly region that's easy to live in and even easier to love. The region is also home to excellent schools and two tertiary institutions: Massey University and the International Pacific College. Outdoor enthusiasts are spoiled for choice—beaches, ski fields, lakes, and mountains are all within reach, along with fantastic hiking and mountain biking tracks. No traffic, an easy commute to work and a strong community feel, help achieve true work-life balance. Our central location makes it easy to explore the rest of New Zealand, whether you're heading off on a road trip or catching a short flight. For more information on living and working in the Manawatū: Manawatū & Palmerston North - Visit | Live | Study | Business 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.

We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.