Head of Clinical Practice
Head of Clinical Practice
Mō te Tūranga | About the Role
As our Head of Clinical Practice, you’ll be the driving force behind clinical excellence across our national hospital network. This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of care - setting the direction for safe, consistent, and innovative clinical practice that elevates outcomes for patients and teams alike. Reporting to the Chief of Nursing and Quality, you’ll lead with vision and purpose, aligning practice with regulatory standards, evidence-based frameworks, and organisational priorities while championing collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement at every level.
In this influential role, you’ll guide our National Clinical Advisors, lead key governance forums, and partner with General Managers, clinical leaders, and technology teams to embed consistent models of care, enhance operational efficiency, and drive capability development nationwide. You’ll oversee the development of standardised pathways, policies, and documentation; strengthen workforce planning; elevate education and competency frameworks; and sponsor strategic projects that enhance safety, quality, and performance. Your leadership will help reduce variation, drive compliance with regulatory bodies, and ensure patient-centred design is at the heart of every improvement initiative.
You’ll also play a pivotal role in harnessing digital innovation - shaping clinical informatics platforms, championing the use of analytics, and influencing system design to streamline workflows and support better decision-making. As a trusted advisor to senior executives, you’ll lead risk mitigation strategies, strengthen patient safety systems, and build powerful partnerships with internal and external stakeholders. If you are a strategic, future-focused clinical leader ready to create national impact, this is your moment to lead with purpose and elevate the standard of care across Aotearoa. This is a full-time permanent position based in our National Support Office in the CBD.
Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience
- At least 10 years’ senior clinical leadership experience, ideally within perioperative services (Theatre Services or Director of Nursing background).
- A strong track record in clinical governance, quality improvement, and meeting regulatory standards.
- Confidence in clinical informatics and leading digital health transformation.
- Proven ability to lead national initiatives, influence senior stakeholders, and drive meaningful organisational change.
- Strategic leadership experience within a complex, multi-site environment.
- Experience overseeing facility design and ensuring clinical functionality.
- Exceptional facilitation, training, and capability-building skills.
- Outstanding relationship-building, diplomacy, and communication abilities.
- Strength in aligning work to organisational strategy and long-term vision.
- Expertise in evidence-based practice, health regulations, and accreditation requirements.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence at all levels.
- A proactive, solutions-focused approach with the ability to navigate complexity and ambiguity.
- Resilience and adaptability in fast-paced, evolving environments.
- Registered Nurse with a current practising certificate.
- Relevant tertiary qualification in Nursing, Clinical Leadership, or Health Management (MBA preferred).
Ngā mea ka taea e mātou te tuku I a koe | What we can offer you:
- Competitive Rewards: Attractive remuneration package, relocation allowance, and employee referral bonus scheme.
- Health & Wellbeing: Funded health insurance, a comprehensive wellbeing programme, and generous Christmas/New Year breaks.
- Flexibility & Growth: Flexible working arrangements and a Nursing Council of New Zealand-approved PDRP.
- Perks & Community: Discounts from a range of partners and the opportunity to join our Employee Network.
Ko wai matou | Our Organisation
At Southern Cross Healthcare, our values shape everything we do:
- Care First – We lead with compassion, delivering care that’s deeply human through genuine manaakitanga.
- Better Together – Collaboration is our strength. We unite diverse skills and perspectives to create better outcomes for all.
- Pursue Excellence – We strive to improve, innovate, and excel every day—never settling, always aiming to deliver our best.
We’re proud to bring together over 4,000 skilled professionals—including 2,000 nurses and anaesthetic technicians—working alongside more than 1,200 specialists, surgeons, anaesthetists, and allied health experts. Together, we’re one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest and most trusted healthcare providers.
If you have specific needs or would like to discuss how we can support you, please contact our Talent Acquisition team at careers@schl.co.nz for a confidential conversation.
Join us, and together, each of us can be part of something important, helping people live their best lives by reimagining healthcare.
