Service Manager, Kidz First Community

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

Job summary

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is seeking an experienced healthcare leader to provide strategic and operational leadership across Kidz First Community Services. You will report to the General Manager and guide diverse teams to deliver high-quality, equitable care across multiple sites.

You will drive patient and whānau experience, staff engagement, and continuous improvement while ensuring financial and operational sustainability for the portfolio.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years management experience in a large and complex healthcare environment.
• Strong experience in people, financial and change management.
• Proven ability to build cultures of innovation, accountability, transparency and customer-focused service.
• Demonstrated success delivering sustainable service and process improvements.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across Kidz First Community Services.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams and oversee the effective delivery of services across multiple sites and community settings.
• Drive excellent patient and whānau experience and a culture of care.
• Advance health equity and improved outcomes for Māori, Pacific peoples and communities experiencing disparities.
• Foster staff engagement, wellbeing and development, and a culture of kindness and collaboration.
• Oversee financial and operational performance and sustainability.
• Coordinate day-to-day management across Kidz First Community teams and services.

Skills

Strategic leadership

People management

Financial management

Change management

Health equity focus

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification in clinical or business

Postgraduate qualification

Job description

Permanent full time| Monday to Friday |95 Wiri Station RoadHealth 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 an exciting opportunity for an experienced healthcare leader to provide strategic and operational leadership across Kidz First Community Services. Reporting to the General Manager, Kidz First Childrens Hospital and Community Health, you will lead diverse multidisciplinary teams and oversee the effective delivery of services across multiple sites and community settings.

You will be responsible for driving:

• Excellent patient and whānau experience and a strong culture of care
• Health equity and improved outcomes for Māori, Pacific peoples and communities experiencing health disparities
• Staff engagement, wellbeing and development, fostering a culture of kindness, collaboration and professional growth
• Patient safety, service flow and quality improvement
• Financial and operational performance and sustainability
• Effective day-to-day coordination and management across Kidz First Community teams and services

The portfolio includes Centre for Youth Health, Youth Justice Residence Health Services, Gateway Health Assessments, School-based Health Services, Regional Gender Aff and fleet vehicle management, delivered across multiple community locations.

You will work closely with Clinical Heads, Professional Leads, SMOs, the Clinical Director and General Manager to support high-performing multidisciplinary teams, strengthen service delivery and identify opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement.

You will be experienced in working across sectors, engaging with partners in Ministry of Education, Ministry of Social Development and Oranga Tamariki.

About You

We are seeking an accomplished healthcare leader who can bring strong operational, people and strategic leadership to this diverse portfolio.

You will have:

• A relevant tertiary qualification in a clinical or business discipline
• A relevant postgraduate qualification
• At least 5 years management experience in a large and complex healthcare environment
• Strong experience in people, financial and change management
• A proven ability to build cultures of innovation, accountability, transparency and customer-focused service
• Demonstrated success delivering sustainable service and process improvements
• Strong leadership capability, with the ability to engage, empower and develop teams while delivering organisational priorities

Work 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.

Closing Date: 15th September 2026