Shape the culture, leadership and future workforce of one of New Zealand’s leading private hospitals
- Executive Leadership Team role reporting directly to the CEO
- Influence strategy, culture, workforce and safety across a complex healthcare organisation
- Hamilton lifestyle with national-level leadership responsibility
- Purpose-led organisation celebrating 100 years of healthcare excellence
Te Whiwhinga mahi| THE OPPORTUNITY
Braemar Hospital is seeking an experienced and practical People & Safety leader to join our Executive Leadership Team.
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, this role has broad accountability for people, culture, health and safety, employment relations, payroll, organisational communications, workforce planning and organisational development across one of New Zealand’s largest private surgical hospitals.
This is a role for someone who enjoys operating at multiple levels.
You’ll contribute to organisational strategy, advise the CEO, Executive Leadership Team and Board, lead organisational change and help shape the future direction of the hospital. At the same time, you’ll remain close enough to the work to understand what really matters to managers and staff and ensure the basics are done exceptionally well.
You’ll lead a capable team and be supported by experienced specialist advisers, but this is not a role for someone who wants to sit above the detail. We are looking for a leader who combines strategic thinking with pragmatism, enjoys solving problems, and is prepared to roll up their sleeves when required.
This is an opportunity to leave a lasting mark on a respected healthcare organisation while enjoying a quality of life increasingly difficult to find in larger cities.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, you will:
- Contribute to organisational strategy, decision-making, risk management and operational performance.
- Act as a trusted adviser to the CEO, Executive Leadership Team and Board on workforce, culture, safety and employment matters.
- Lead the development of people, workforce, wellbeing and leadership strategies that support our long-term ambitions.
- Build leadership capability through coaching, advice, tools and practical support.
- Lead collective bargaining and employment relations matters with confidence and sound judgement.
- Provide executive leadership across workplace health and safety, wellbeing and organisational risk.
- Oversee payroll, workforce reporting, systems, compliance and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Lead organisational communications that are clear, engaging and aligned with our values.
- Lead and develop the People & Safety team to deliver high-quality support to managers and staff.
WHY THIS ROLE IS DIFFERENT
Many senior People & Culture roles are either highly strategic or highly operational. This role is both. You’ll have a genuine seat at the executive table and significant influence over organisational direction, while remaining closely connected to the day-to-day realities of leading people in a complex healthcare environment.
You’ll have visibility across the entire organisation, work alongside committed clinical and non-clinical leaders, and be part of a values-led organisation where relationships matter and decisions can be made quickly.
Most importantly, you’ll have the opportunity to help shape an organisation that exists to make lives better for patients, specialists, staff and the wider community.
WHY WORK FOR BRAEMAR?
Braemar Hospital is a high-performing organisation built on trust, respect, continuous improvement and a strong sense of purpose.
We offer:
- Competitive executive remuneration
- Living Wage accredited employer
- Two-week Christmas and New Year shutdown*
- Life, trauma and income protection insurance*
- Professional development funding and leadership development opportunities
- Professional membership support*
- Family surgery subsidies*
- Paid parental leave enhancements*
- Employee Assistance Programme for staff and household members
- Subsidised meals prepared on site
- Free car parking
- Wellbeing programmes and initiatives throughout the year
*Eligibility criteria apply. Benefits are described in the employee benefits programme.
KO KOE TĒNEI | ABOUT YOU
You are likely already operating in a senior People & Culture, Human Resources or Health & Safety leadership role.
You have experience influencing at executive level and understand the realities of leading organisational performance through people. You are commercially aware, politically astute and able to balance competing priorities without losing sight of what matters most.
You may currently be a Chief People Officer, General Manager People & Culture, Director HR, Head of People & Culture or Senior HR Business Partner seeking a role that offers both meaningful influence and practical application.
To be successful you will bring:
- Significant senior leadership experience in People & Culture, Human Resources, Employment Relations, Health & Safety or a related discipline.
- Demonstrated success partnering with executives, boards and senior stakeholders.
- Strong employment relations and industrial relations experience, including collective bargaining and union engagement.
- Proven experience leading organisational change, workforce initiatives and cultural improvement.
- Sound commercial judgement and business acumen.
- The ability to influence, coach and constructively challenge others.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and values-led leadership.
Healthcare experience would be valuable but is not essential.
KO WAI MĀTOU | ABOUT US
Braemar Hospital is one of New Zealand’s leading private surgical hospitals and is proudly 100% owned by the Braemar Charitable Trust.
Based in Hamilton, Braemar employs more than 350 staff and supports over 200 specialists. The hospital operates nine theatres, two endoscopy suites, 109 beds and a five-bed HDU/ICU, delivering a broad range of tertiary surgical and medical services.
For a century, Braemar has combined clinical excellence with a strong commitment to innovation, technology, community contribution and exceptional patient care.
READY FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT?
If you’re looking for a role where you can influence strategy, lead change, stay connected to the work and make a meaningful difference, we’d love to hear from you.
Applications should include:
- Cover letter
- Curriculum vitae
Rā Katinga| Applications close: Monday 24 AUGUST 2026 at 5.00pm
We are committed to ensuring equal employment opportunity, ethical practices, the principles of cultural and other forms of diversity, and we promote a smoke free work environment.
