Project Manager - Length of Stay Reduction

• Auckland City Hospital, Grafton | Full-time | 12‑month Fixed Term
• Help drive improved patient flow and measurable reductions in inpatient length of stay
• Play a key role in improving systems across the organisation as part of the Strengthening Our Systems 2026 programme
• Collaborative environment with strong clinical and operational partnership

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

As the Project Manager – Length of Stay Reduction (LOS) Reduction, you will play a key role in implementing initiatives that reduce inpatient length of stay across Te Toka Tumai Auckland. This role forms part of the Planning & Performance team and directly supports the Tūhono programme’s target of achieving 70+ bed days saved per day by December 2026.

Working alongside directorate and service leadership teams, you will translate Health Roundtable benchmarking insights into practical, targeted improvement actions. You will coordinate the delivery of Directorate LOS Reduction Plans, address barriers to discharge, support Hospital in the Home (HiTH) expansion, and drive improvements in Average Length of Stay (ALOS), Day of Surgery Admission (DOSA), weekend discharges and Ready to Go delays.

This is a hands‑on improvement role requiring strong stakeholder engagement, data‑driven decision‑making and the ability to influence change in a complex clinical environment.

Please visit the position description here.

About the Team/Service

At Te Toka Tumai Auckland, we are building the future of Aotearoa’s health system. With the system undergoing significant transformation, our focus is on strengthening acute flow, improving patient experience, and ensuring our hospitals can meet increasing demand. You’ll join a supportive team committed to evidence‑based improvement, equitable outcomes and cross‑directorate collaboration.

About you

You will bring:
Essential:

• A commitment to biculturalism and improving outcomes for Māori
• A relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent experience
• Recognised project management training and formal improvement methodology training (Lean/Six Sigma or similar)
• Experience leading quality improvement, clinical improvement, or inpatient flow projects
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to engage and influence senior clinical and operational leaders
• Solid analytical capability and understanding of LOS, discharge processes, and acute patient flow

Desirable:

• Postgraduate training in quality improvement or healthcare management
• Experience working in hospital operations, discharge planning, or Hospital in the Home
• Familiarity with Health Roundtable or other benchmarking data sources

About the location

For more information on living and working in Auckland click here.

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. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Belinda Peddie – belinda.peddie@tewhatuora.govt.nz

Following an initial 7‑day advertising period, Health New Zealand reserves the right to close this vacancy and progress with the recruitment process earlier than the stated closing date, subject to application volume and candidate suitability.