Practice Lead (Network & Communications) - Digital Operations

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is the country's largest employer, delivering universal public healthcare to 5 million New Zealanders.

We provide essential hospital, specialist, and community health services across 80+ locations — from large urban centres to rural towns and remote communities.

Our goal is to improve health outcomes for all New Zealanders by delivering equitable, accessible and innovative care.

Are you a people-first leader with a passion for process excellence and digital transformation?

We're looking for an inspiring Practice Lead to guide our talented team within the Digital Operations group.

This is a leadership opportunity where your focus will be on empowering people, refining processes, and delivering consistent, high-quality outcomes that support connected healthcare across Aotearoa.

About the Role

As Practice Lead, you'll help guide a team of skilled professionals responsible for delivering secure, reliable, and scalable network and communication services across our national health infrastructure.

Your role is less about hands-on technical work and more about operational leadership, team development, and process optimisation.

You'll champion continuous improvement, foster a collaborative and inclusive team culture, and ensure delivery practices align with organisational goals and emerging technology trends.

You'll also play a key role in stakeholder engagement, workforce planning, and performance management.

In addition, the Practice Lead fosters a vibrant practitioner community, promoting collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the adoption of best practices across the national delivery portfolio, whilst acting as the regional lead for all things Network & Communications.

About the Team / Service / Location

The Practice Lead (Network & Communications, Te Manawa Taki) is one of four regional Practice Leads and sits within the Network and Communications team, part of the Digital Operations function under the wider Digital Services group.

Reporting into the Manager - Network & Communications, this team is responsible for delivering fast, reliable, and secure communication channels across corporate and healthcare facilities.

The team plays a vital role in maintaining the digital infrastructure that supports efficient, connected healthcare services.

About you

You're more than just technically capable—you're a people-first leader who thrives on building strong, engaged teams in a nationally aligned approach.

You understand that great outcomes come from empowered individuals working together with purpose, and you're passionate about creating an environment where your team feels supported, valued, and inspired to grow.

You bring a collaborative mindset, a knack for simplifying complex processes, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

You're confident in leading change, navigating ambiguity, and fostering a culture of trust, inclusion, and accountability.

You will have familiarity with the New Zealand health system and relevant privacy regulations, alongside your project management and financial management experience, ensures you can navigate complex delivery environments with confidence.

You will also have the following skills and experience to support your success in the role :

• Demonstrated operational leadership experience and a passion for mentoring, leading, and developing technical teams.
• Strong experience in network and communications technologies, and a great background in enterprise-scale infrastructure (e.g. Cisco routing and switching, Wireless, firewalls, Network cabling and power, Legacy PABX and Cisco Voice)
• Experience in process improvement, service delivery, reporting and performance monitoring
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• A positive, enthusiastic and strategic mindset with a focus on outcomes, equity, and innovation

Working for Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is 'the weaving of wellness'.

We're dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of Aotearoa / New Zealand.

The Equity Work Programme at Health NZ focuses on helping everyone in the health system think about equity when they do their work.

It also promotes the cultural change needed for the whole system to reach equity in health outcomes.

Our people are at the heart of everything we do.

Health New Zealand are committed to being good employers and honouring our equal employment opportunity obligations.

Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

• We want to see the real you in your application and welcome the real you on board if you come and work with us.

Skills are gained across many areas of our life, not just in formal employment.

If you can demonstrate the skills listed in the ad, but the experience was gained through whanau life, community or mahi aroha (volunteering) we encourage you to apply and share your story with us in your cover letter.

• We particularly welcome applications from our diverse Maori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

How to Apply

To view the position description and / or apply for the role please click "apply now" and bring your energy, curiosity, and positivity to a team that's going places.

All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal before 11 : 59pm on Sunday 12th October 2025.

If you have any questions about the role, please contact Tegan Gutry at

Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change, affected employees will be given preference and priority for this position.