Integrated Ops & Acute Flow Delivery Lead

• Senior regional leadership role driving acute flow and integrated operations priorities.
• Work alongside district clinical and operational leaders to improve patient access and flow.
• Influence system-wide improvements and deliver better outcomes for communities.

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora

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

We provide essential hospital, specialist and community health services across more than 80 locations. Our goal is to improve health outcomes for all New Zealanders by delivering equitable, accessible and innovative care.

About the role

Based in the Central Region, the Regional Integrated Operations and Acute Flow Delivery Lead reports to the Director Performance & Improvement and plays a key role in driving regional planning, performance and delivery across acute flow and integrated operations.

Working closely with district operational and clinical leaders, you'll help translate national priorities into regional delivery plans, monitor performance and support initiatives that improve patient access, flow and experience across the acute care pathway.

You'll take a whole-of-system approach, working across hospital services, ambulance, primary and community care, and other key partners to identify challenges, address barriers and support sustainable improvements. A key focus will be supporting achievement of the Shorter Stays in Emergency Departments (SSED) health target and other agreed operational performance measures.

This is an influential regional role, connecting district, regional and national priorities while ensuring regional insights, risks and opportunities inform wider health system planning and improvement.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the development and monitoring of regional acute flow delivery plans aligned with national priorities and operational performance expectations.
• Monitoring regional performance against SSED and other agreed measures, identifying emerging risks, trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Working with Health Analytics and district teams to translate performance information into meaningful insights and practical recommendations.
• Coordinating regional integrated operations priorities and facilitating collaboration across hospital, ambulance, primary and community services.
• Supporting districts to identify barriers to patient flow and implement evidence-based improvement initiatives.
• Building strong relationships with district operational and clinical leaders, national teams and wider system partners.
• Representing the Central Region in national acute flow and integrated operations forums.
• Providing regular reporting, advice and assurance to support regional governance and decision-making.

About you

You're an experienced health operations or performance improvement professional who understands the complexities of acute care and patient flow. You bring a strong combination of strategic thinking, analytical capability and practical delivery experience, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and bring people together to achieve shared outcomes.

You're comfortable navigating complex environments, identifying opportunities for improvement and turning strategic priorities into meaningful action.

What you'll bring to the role

• A relevant graduate or postgraduate qualification.
• 5–7 years' experience in healthcare operations, acute flow, service delivery, performance management or service improvement.
• A strong understanding of emergency care, acute patient flow and health system operations.
• Experience working with clinical and operational leaders to improve service performance and patient flow.
• Proven ability to analyse performance information and use insights to drive service improvements.
• Experience translating strategic priorities into delivery plans and practical improvement initiatives.
• Knowledge of recognised improvement methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, Model for Improvement or PDSA.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, relationship management and influencing skills.
• Experience leading cross-functional programmes, projects or improvement initiatives.
• Strong planning, problem-solving and risk management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• An understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and experience putting its principles into practice.

Why join us?

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference to how health services operate across the Central Region. You'll work alongside senior clinical and operational leaders, influence regional priorities and help drive improvements that make a real difference to patients and communities.

You'll be part of a collaborative environment where your expertise, ideas and leadership will help shape a more connected, responsive and sustainable health system.

Working for Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is committed to delivering excellent healthcare for all New Zealanders. We embrace diversity and inclusion so that our workforce reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled and rainbow communities.

We're also committed to creating an environment where people can bring their ideas, challenge the way things are done and continuously improve how we work.

How to apply

To apply, please click 'Apply now' and submit your application through our online careers portal. All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal by 11:59PM on Monday, 23 November

If you have any questions about the role, please contact Ash Mohan at ash.mohan@tehwatuora.govt.nz