Lead the day-to-day running of a growing kaupapa Māori organisation, so that whānau get consistent, high-quality services across health, education, housing, cultural therapies and social services. As the Tumu Whakarae’s principal operational leader and second-in-command, you will turn strategy into delivery. You will lead senior managers, look after contract and financial performance, build workforce capability and strengthen organisational assurance. The role calls for disciplined execution grounded in strengths-based, whānau-centred practice.

• Turn strategic direction into integrated operational plans, budgets, milestones and performance measures
• Lead, coach and performance-manage senior managers, with clear accountabilities across portfolios
• Make sure services meet approved models of care, contractual obligations and quality expectations, and spot underperformance early
• Oversee Crown, commissioning and partnership contracts, including deliverables, reporting and milestones
• Hold budget managers accountable for spending, forecasting and variance management, and keep programmes sustainable
• Oversee workforce planning, induction, supervision, professional development and HR implementation
• Lead operational implementation of the Integrated Management System (ISO 9001 and ISO 45001), including risk, safeguarding, incidents, complaints, privacy, and health and safety
• Work alongside clinical leaders to maintain strong clinical governance and professional escalation
• Lead operational change, systems improvement, service redesign and evaluation, and improve integration across services
• Deputise for the Tumu Whakarae when formally authorised, and keep relationships with whānau, iwi, hapū, funders and partners constructive

About you

• Significant senior leadership experience, including leading managers and multidisciplinary teams (Essential)
• Proven operational delivery in a complex, contract-driven service environment (Essential)
• Strong financial management, budgeting, forecasting and contract performance capability (Essential)
• Sound knowledge of employment, risk, quality, health and safety, and governance accountability (Essential)
• Ability to lead change, make difficult decisions and keep good judgement under pressure (Essential)
• Demonstrated commitment to kaupapa Māori, tikanga and equitable outcomes for Māori (Essential)
• Experience in kaupapa Māori health, NGO, primary care, mental health, social services, housing or education
• Knowledge of Crown contracting, clinical governance, safeguarding and professional supervision
• Experience with ISO management systems, internal audit and continuous improvement
• Connections to Ngāti Tūwharetoa ki Kawerau or Kawerau, and te reo Māori competence
• Relevant tertiary qualification, or equivalent executive experience

You will be strategic and practical, decisive and accountable, emotionally intelligent, commercially disciplined, resilient and culturally grounded. You will lead from strengths without compromising standards.

Tūwharetoa ki Kawerau Hauora is a kaupapa Māori organisation. We deliver integrated nursing, primary and community healthcare, mental health and addiction, education, housing, cultural therapies and social services in Kawerau and the surrounding communities. Guided by tikanga, manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, kaitiakitanga, rangatiratanga and mana motuhake, we hold 25+ Crown contracts, employ over 80+ kaimahi and serve many whānau across the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

Applications for this role are being handled by our recruitment company, PeopleHQ.  Only applicants who are legally entitled to work in New Zealand and currently reside in New Zealand and who have relevant experience will be considered for this position.  The successful candidate will be required to undergo background checks and vetting as part of the recruitment process.  All applications will be received via the online application portal.  If you would like a copy of the job description or have any questions about this opportunity, please contact Tammy-Lee Holmes via jobs@peoplehq.nz or phone 027 474 2255.

Applications must be received by 4 December 2026.