Service Manager | Orthopaedics

Christchurch Hospital | Permanent, Full-time

Lead one of New Zealand's largest and most dynamic Orthopaedic services while making a real difference to patient care across Waitaha Canterbury.

Health 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

We are seeking an experienced and motivated leader to join our team as Service Manager for Orthopaedics. This is an exciting opportunity to provide operational and strategic leadership for one of New Zealand's busiest Orthopaedic services, supporting the delivery of high-quality, patient-centred care across Christchurch Hospital, Burwood Hospital and our wider regional network.

Working in close partnership with the Clinical Director, you will lead the operational management of the Orthopaedic Service, ensuring the delivery of safe, efficient and sustainable services while driving innovation, continuous improvement and exceptional patient outcomes.

This role requires a collaborative and forward-thinking leader who can successfully navigate a complex healthcare environment, build strong relationships across multidisciplinary teams, and inspire staff through periods of growth and change.

In this role you will:

• Partner with the Clinical Director to provide strategic and operational leadership across the Orthopaedic Service.
• Lead service planning, performance monitoring and operational delivery to achieve organisational objectives.
• Foster a culture of continuous quality improvement, innovation and patient-centred care.
• Work collaboratively with surgeons, nursing, allied health and support services to optimise patient flow and service delivery.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders at local, regional and national levels.
• Lead quality, safety and clinical governance initiatives, ensuring compliance with regulatory and accreditation requirements.
• Manage budgets, workforce planning and resource allocation to ensure financial sustainability.
• Champion change management initiatives and support teams through service development and transformation.
• Create a positive, inclusive and high-performing team culture that supports staff engagement, wellbeing and professional development.

About the Service

The Orthopaedic Service is one of the largest surgical specialties within Canterbury, delivering acute trauma, elective surgery and specialist orthopaedic care to patients across the Canterbury and West Coast regions. Our multidisciplinary teams are committed to providing high-quality, equitable healthcare while continually improving the services we deliver.

This is an opportunity to join a highly respected clinical service and contribute to shaping the future of Orthopaedic care in our region.

About You

You will be an experienced healthcare leader who thrives in a collaborative environment and enjoys balancing strategic thinking with operational delivery.

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Proven experience in a senior healthcare management or service leadership role, ideally within a hospital setting.
• Demonstrated success leading and developing multidisciplinary teams in a complex healthcare environment.
• Strong knowledge of healthcare operations, quality improvement methodologies and clinical governance.
• Excellent relationship-building, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Sound financial management and budgeting experience.
• Experience leading organisational change and continuous improvement initiatives.
• A relevant clinical qualification (such as Nursing or another registered health profession); postgraduate management qualifications are highly desirable.
• A commitment to equity, quality improvement and delivering outstanding patient outcomes.

Working 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 serve our communities. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled and rainbow communities.

Benefits

Joining Health New Zealand offers the opportunity to:

• Lead a highly regarded specialist service within New Zealand's largest public health system.
• Influence the future direction of Orthopaedic services across the Canterbury region.
• Work alongside experienced clinical and operational leaders in a collaborative environment.
• Access ongoing professional development and leadership opportunities.
• Enjoy the outstanding lifestyle that Canterbury offers, with world-class outdoor recreation, vibrant city living and an exceptional work-life balance.

How to Apply

To apply, please click Apply Now through our careers portal and submit your CV together with a cover letter outlining your leadership experience and what attracts you to this opportunity.

For further information about this role, please contact:

Amy Walker
Recruitment Specialist – Amy.Walker@tewhatuora.govt.nz

We will review applications as they are received and may progress suitable applicants prior to the closing date.

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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