Operational Manager - Surgery

• Operations Manager – Surgical । Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldier’s Hospital
• Permanent, Full-time । 80 hours per fortnight (1 FTE), Monday - Friday
• Hawke’s Bay offers the best of both worlds - rewarding professional opportunities and an unbeatable lifestyle in one of New Zealand’s most beautiful regions.

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 dynamic Operations Manager - Surgical to provide operational leadership across our Surgical Services. This role is responsible for ensuring the effective day to day management and coordination of surgical services, supporting the delivery of safe, high-quality, and equitable care for our community.

Working in close partnership with clinical leaders, including Heads of Department, Clinical Nurse Managers, and the wider multidisciplinary team, you will lead operational planning and service coordination across surgical specialties. The role plays a key part in ensuring efficient patient flow, optimal use of theatre capacity, and delivery of elective and acute surgical services in line with organisational and national performance targets.

The Operations Manager will support service improvement initiatives, contribute to strategic planning, and ensure services are responsive to growing demand and evolving healthcare priorities. This role is integral to strengthening collaboration across teams and supporting sustainable service delivery.

Please click here to view the position description

About the Team/Service/ Location

Our Surgical Services team is dedicated to providing high-quality care across a range of specialties including elective and acute surgical services. You will work closely with clinical leaders, nursing teams, and operational colleagues to support the efficient delivery of services across theatres, wards, and outpatient areas.

You will join a supportive and experienced leadership team that is committed to delivering high-quality patient care, improving access to surgical services, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Based at Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital in Hastings, this role sits within Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora – Te Matau a Māui, Hawke’s Bay. Our region offers an exceptional lifestyle with stunning beaches, world-class wineries, outdoor recreation, and a strong sense of community. It is an ideal place to build both a rewarding career and a balanced lifestyle.

For more information on living and working in Hawke’s Bay click HERE

About you

You are a proactive and experienced operational leader who is comfortable working in a complex and fast-paced healthcare environment. You bring strong leadership capability and the ability to work collaboratively with clinical and operational teams to support high-quality service delivery.

You are confident navigating competing priorities, using data to inform decision-making, and driving improvements that enhance patient experience and service performance. You have a strong understanding of healthcare operations and are committed to supporting teams to deliver safe, efficient, and equitable care.

You will be a relationship - focused leader who values collaboration, communication, and transparency. You will work closely with clinicians, nursing leaders, and operational colleagues to ensure services run effectively and that teams feel supported and empowered.

You will ideally have:

• Demonstrated experience in operational or service management within a healthcare or complex service environment
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, support, and influence multidisciplinary teams
• Experience managing service performance, operational planning, and resource coordination
• Understanding of surgical service delivery, theatre utilisation, patient flow, and elective service targets
• Experience using data and performance indicators to monitor service delivery and drive improvements
• Proven ability to lead or contribute to quality improvement and service development initiatives
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities
• Excellent communication and relationship management skills, with the ability to work effectively with clinical leaders and stakeholders
• A commitment to delivering equitable health outcomes and supporting the values of Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora

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 service our community. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

How to Apply

To apply please click “apply now.” All applications must be submitted through our online careers’ portal by 10^th April 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Phil Manoy by emailing Phillip.manoy@hbdhb.govt.nz

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