Specialist Liaison Lead
Specialist Liaison Lead
Mō te Tūranga | About the Role
As our Specialist Liaison Lead, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping how patients connect with our specialist services. You’ll be the driving force behind creating timely, efficient, and patient-centred referral pathways by building strong, trusted relationships with internal teams, external referrers, and specialist providers. This role is also about championing our specialists—supporting their growth, profiling their expertise, and ensuring they are well-positioned to thrive in private practice.
Working closely with the Head of Specialist Engagement and senior leaders, you’ll help design and deliver strategies that strengthen specialist recruitment, retention, and engagement. From advising GMs and influencing ELT relationships, through to onboarding new specialists and ensuring referrers are well-informed, you’ll be at the centre of a dynamic network.
Your impact will go beyond relationships—you’ll streamline referral management processes, track and report on referral trends, and drive continuous improvements to elevate the overall experience. By combining strategy, market insights, and practical support, you’ll ensure our specialists and patients alike receive the best possible outcomes. This is a 12-month fixed term full time role, created to support an exciting new programme of work focused on establishing our specialist engagement and support framework. This role is based in our National Support Office.
Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience
Healthcare & Specialist Expertise
- At least 7 years’ experience in healthcare, specialist services, or referral coordination
- Proven track record of working directly with medical specialists, including surgeons, in a professional or support capacity
- Knowledge of private healthcare in New Zealand and how referral pathways operate (desirable)
- Familiarity with referral behaviours in general practice and allied health (an advantage)
Relationship Builder & Influencer
- Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to manage multiple stakeholders with professionalism and ease
- Skilled at building trusted, long-lasting relationships across different groups
- Understanding of the commercial drivers that underpin sustainable specialist practice growth
Organisation & Problem-Solving
- Strong organisational abilities with excellent attention to detail
- Proactive and solutions-focused approach to challenges
- Confidence in resolving issues quickly to keep processes moving smoothly
Digital & Marketing Savvy
- Comfortable using digital systems such as CRM, patient management, or referral software
- Quick to learn new technology and tools
- Experience in marketing or profiling clinicians or health services adds real value
Qualifications & Practicalities
- Tertiary qualification in health sciences, business, or a related field to establish credibility in the role
- Current New Zealand driver’s licence, with flexibility for site visits and stakeholder meetings
Ngā mea ka taea e mātou te tuku I a koe | What we can offer you:
- Competitive Rewards: Attractive remuneration package.
- Health & Wellbeing: 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 Rainbow Network.
Ko wai matou | Our Organisation
At Southern Cross Healthcare, our purpose is clear: to advance quality healthcare across Aotearoa New Zealand. 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.
Driven by a strong ‘for purpose’ ethos, we think beyond financial quarters—planning for generations to come.
Tō mātou whakahaere ki te tika, te rerekētanga, me te whai wāhi mai | Our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
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.
