Health and Safety Delivery Manager - National Delivery and Enabling

• This role can be based at any Health NZ location
• Permanent, full-time position 
• Collaborative team who deliver effective and efficient health and safety support

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is the country's largest employer, delivering universal public healthcare to 5 million New Zealanders. 

We provide essential hospital, specialist, and community health services across 80+ locations - from large urban centres to rural towns and remote communities. 

Our goal is to improve health outcomes for all New Zealanders by delivering equitable, accessible and innovative care. 

About the Role 

Reporting directly to the GM, Health and Safety, you will lead the NDE Health and Safety team, providing expert guidance, assurance, and operational support to a wide range of national functions. These include the National Public Health Service (NPS), Infrastructure and Investment Group (IIG), Procurement and Supply Chain, Data and Digital (D&D), Planning, Funding and Outcomes (PFO), People and Culture (P&C), Assurance, Audit and Risk, Regional Commissioning Offices, Finance, Hauora Māori, and Clinical Leadership (including Pacific Health).

This role is responsible for ensuring that all NDE functions meet Health NZ's health and safety expectations, as well as legislative and regulatory requirements. You will provide strategic oversight and expert advice to support the implementation of national health and safety initiatives, working closely with Programme Business Partners and senior leaders to align operational activities with Health NZ's broader safety goals.

The position plays a critical leadership role in shaping and delivering Health NZ's health and safety strategy across a diverse and complex national portfolio.

You will lead a high-performing team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Your leadership will be key in embedding best practice health and safety systems, ensuring data integrity and consistency, and enabling evidence-based decision-making across the portfolio. You will also play a vital role in engaging with external stakeholders such as WorkSafe, ACC, and union partners, ensuring that worker participation and wellbeing remain at the heart of everything we do.

This is a unique opportunity to influence national health and safety outcomes, drive operational excellence, and make a meaningful impact on the wellbeing of our people and the communities we serve.

About the Team/Service/ Location 

This is a national role that can be based at any Health NZ location.

The Health and Safety team plays a vital role in ensuring consistent, high-quality service across all district sites, shifts, and professional groups. Working across the country, team members collaborate to deliver effective and efficient health and safety support tailored to the unique needs of each area. This is a dynamic, purpose-driven team who are committed to maintaining safe environments and supporting services nationally.  

About you 

You are an experienced health and safety leader with over 10 years in the field, including 5+ years in senior roles—ideally within healthcare or a similarly complex environment. You bring deep expertise in health and safety legislation, including the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, ACC Accredited Employer Programme (AEP), and ISO 45001, and have a strong track record of implementing strategic and operational safety initiatives.

You've successfully led and developed high-performing teams, providing coaching and guidance to Health and Safety Advisors, Senior Advisors, and Business Partners. You're confident navigating complex and changing environments, with a proven ability to assess risk, solve problems, and drive continuous improvement.

Your communication and relationship-building skills enable you to influence at all levels, from frontline teams to senior leaders and external stakeholders. You demonstrate a strong understanding of the health sector, and are committed to equity, cultural responsiveness, and the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022.

Calm, collaborative, and strategic, you lead with integrity and inspire others to deliver safe, effective outcomes across diverse national functions.

Please refer to the Position Profile for more information on what we're looking for in the successful applicant.  

Working for 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.    

How to Apply 

This is a national role and can be based at any Health NZ location, there is a dedicated section on the application for you to outline your preferred location, please also include your preferred location in your cover letter.

To apply please click “apply now.”  All applications must be submitted through our online careers' portal by midnight 30 November 2025. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Ruth Greening at ruth.greening@tewhatuora.govt.nz

Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change, affected employees will be given preference and priority for this position.