General Manager Surgery, Perioperative & Radiology

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

This newly created leadership role has been established to elevate and future proof Surgery, Perioperative and Radiology services across Canterbury. Created in response to the scale, complexity and growing demand of this portfolio, it offers a rare opportunity for a proven General Manager to shape service delivery at system level.

Reporting directly to the Group Director of Operations Canterbury, you will lead one of the organisation’s most critical and influential portfolios across hospital, community and primary care settings. Sitting at the heart of system transformation, this role blends strategic leadership with hands on operational delivery, ideal for an experienced leader ready to build capability, lead complexity, and leave a legacy for Canterbury’s health system.

You will play a critical role in:

• Setting a bold, integrated strategic direction for surgical, perioperative and radiology services
• Building organisational capability and leadership depth
• Driving service integration, patient flow, access, and equity across the care continuum
• Strengthening partnerships with clinical leaders and system stakeholders
• Translating strategy into measurable outcomes at scale
• Drive and deliver sustained performance against agreed Health New Zealand health targets.

The Surgical Services Group is responsible for:

• Leadership and management of nominated surgical and surgical support services, including Planned Care
• Delivery of Radiology services across the district
• Oversight of patient flow and system performance to optimise access, outcomes, and resource

About you

This is a role for a confident, credible leader who thrives in complexity, brings people with them, and is motivated by the opportunity to shape long-term system performance

You are a credible, confident health care leader with the strategic maturity to lead at system level. You bring strong commercial and operational leadership, underpinned by a people‑centred approach.

Essential:

• Postgraduate qualification in leadership/management and a health-related tertiary qualification
• Senior health leadership experience (8+ years), including leading large, multidisciplinary teams
• Proven financial, budget and performance management capability
• Strong business, planning and service optimisation expertise
• Inspiring, collaborative leader who delivers results through others
• Strategic thinker, resilient and outcomes-focused
• Trusted partner to clinical leaders and senior executives

Desirable:

• Experience as a Service Manager, Operations Manager or General Manager
• Understanding of NZ health sector policy, system pressures and political context
• Strong digital capability and organisational insight

Working at Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora (must have this)

We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive and values‑led workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We strongly encourage applications from Māori, Pacific, disabled and rainbow communities, and from leaders who share our commitment to equity and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

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.

For a confidential discussion about this opportunity, please contact Kelly Randall on Kelly.randall@cdhb.health.nz

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

Position description Apply now

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