Operations Manager

New Zealand Government; Auckland; On-site; NZD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora seeks an experienced Operations Manager to support TamaAriki Ora Starship Māori Leadership Office within Starship Child Health. The role blends strategic and operational leadership to translate policy into service improvements across tamariki health.

You will lead workforce, financial, contractual and project management functions, driving innovation and equitable health outcomes while embedding Māori perspectives within health systems.

Qualifications

• Proven skills in operational and business leadership within health or related sectors.
• Experience in human resources, contracts and financial management.
• Ability to translate strategy into actionable plans and deliver priorities.
• Strong relationship building and stakeholder engagement capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Drive culturally grounded services that embed Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Māori health advancement.
• Provide strategic and operational leadership across workforce, financial, contractual, risk, project and business functions.
• Oversee daily operations and production planning translating TamaAriki Ora priorities into action.
• Lead service development, continuous improvement and innovation across TamaAriki Ora.
• Oversee Douglas Starship Simulation Programme delivery, planning and development.
• Build strong relationships with Starship Child Health, Health New Zealand and stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

HR practices

Strategic planning

Stakeholder engagement

Contract & financial mgmt

Project management

Job description

Nau mai, haere mai ki Te Toka Tumai Auckland!Key leadership position within TamaAriki OraPermanent, Full TimeHealth 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 NewZealanders.

About the Role

TamaAriki Ora Starship Māori Leadership Office, forms part of the Senior Leadership Team of Starship Child Health and is at the forefront of transforming child health outcomes through the integration of indigenous science, cultural leadership and biomedical excellence. We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Operations Manager to provide strategic, operational and business leadership supporting our senior Māori leadership team and office. This pivotal role will provide oversight, management and coordination of operational support, business functions and production planning, translating strategy into action to drive service development, innovation and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Drive efficient, high-quality and culturally grounded services that embed Te Tiriti o Waitangi and advance Māori health within Starship Child Health.
• Provide strategic and operational leadership across workforce, financial, contractual, risk, project and business functions.
• Lead daily operations and production planning, ensuring TamaAriki Ora priorities are effectively translated into action.
• Drive service development, continuous improvement and innovation across TamaAriki Ora functions.
• Provide operational management and oversight of the Douglas Starship Simulation Programme, supporting its effective delivery, planning and ongoing development.
• Build strong relationships and effective partnerships across Starship Child Health, Health NewZealand and wider stakeholders.

About you

We are seeking a candidate with a strong commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and demonstrated cultural intelligence, alongside experience in operational and business leadership within health or related sectors. You will have proven skills in:

• Leading equitable recruitment and HR practices.
• Strategic and operational planning, risk and resource management.
• Relationship management and stakeholder engagement.
• Human resources, contract and financial management.
• Project management, service development and continuous improvement.
• Translating strategy into actionable plans and delivering against priorities.

You will be proactive, solutions-focused and confident working across diverse teams and services. Most importantly, you will be passionate about advancing Māori health and embedding indigenous perspectives within health systems to support lasting and meaningful change.

Please click here to view a copy of the position description.

For initial and confidential enquiries please contact Hera Tolley, Tumu Whakarae Director Māori Health Starship Child Health [e-mail]

Working at Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of NewZealand. 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.