Operations Manager - Emergency Department

“Accepting applications from current HNZ employees only” 

Location: Wellington Regional Hospital

Contract: Permanent – Full Time (1 FTE)

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is dedicated to serving all New Zealanders. Through integration and collaboration, we’re building a health system underpinned by partnership, equity, sustainability, whānau-centred care, and excellence.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and solutions focused Operations Manager to provide permanent, dedicated operational leadership for the Emergency Department. This role has become essential to maintain safe, reliable day-to-day operations and ensuring progress toward the national 95% <6 hour SSiED target.

As the Emergency Department Operations Manager, you will be the on-floor and visible operational leader, accountable for real-time patient flow, workforce coordination and removing barriers to timely care. You will work closely with the Clinical leader and Nurse Manager to ensure consistent, safe and effective operations across all shifts.

Key focus areas include:

• Real time ED flow leadership – senior assessment and streaming oversight, patient allocation and surge management
• Coordination and diagnostics, specialty services, IOC and Transit, to maintain timely decision making and reduce bottlenecks
• Visible, stable leadership for a large multi-disciplinary workforce in a high pressure environment
• Driving operational improvement to support SSiED performance, acute flow standards and winter readiness
• Ensuring quality, safety and standardised workflow across the department 

This is a role for someone who thrives in fast-moving environments, excels at problem solving and can bring clarity and calm during operational pressure.

About the Team/Service Location

Te Pae Tiaki – Wellington Regional Hospital’s Emergency Department is a Level 6 tertiary ED providing high acuity, high complexity emergency care to people across the lower North Island. It is one of the most dynamic, demanding, and clinically advanced emergency environments in Aotearoa.

We are a cohesive team of medical professionals, registered nurses, healthcare assistants and administrative staff, all committed to maintaining high standards of care, while optimising patient outcomes, improving patient flow, and fostering a culture of innovation and excellence.

About You

You will bring:

• Senior leadership experience in a complex healthcare environment (ED or acute services preferred)
• Strong operational management capability, with proven experience leading real-time flow and service delivery
• Ability to influence, collaborate and build effective relationships across clinical and operations teams
• Confidence making timely decisions in high stakes, high pressure scenarios
• A commitment to equity, Te Tiriti o Waitangi and delivering high quality, patient centred care
• Experience managing multi-disciplinary teams and complex workflows
  

Working at Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is ‘the weaving of wellness’. We're dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Health New Zealand are committed to being good employers and honouring our equal employment opportunity obligations. We embrace diversity and welcome application from all people, including all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and disability. A workforce that is diverse and inclusive means that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We are pro-equity health organisation, with a particular focus on Māori, Pacific Peoples, and the Disability Community.

How to Apply

To apply please click “apply now.” All applications must be submitted through our online careers’ portal. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Diana Velazco (Diana.Velazcoflores@tewhatuora.govt.nz).

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advertisement.

Position description Apply now

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