Primary Care Lead

**Primary Care Lead - Te Waipounamu**: **Transform Healthcare Across New Zealand's South Island with Tend Health**: **Permanent Full-time | Te Waipounamu (South Island), New Zealand | Reports to: Head of Primary Care Delivery**: **About Tend Health**: Tend Health is one of New Zealand's largest and most innovative primary healthcare providers, serving over 120,000+ enrolled patients across 20+ medical centres from Auckland to Invercargill. Launched in 2020, we're revolutionising healthcare delivery through our unique blend of cutting-edge technology and compassionate care. We're committed to helping make New Zealand the healthiest nation in the world through smarter, more accessible and equitable primary healthcare. Our innovative approach combines: **24/7 Online Care**: Virtual appointments with an average waiting time of just 2 hours **Modern Technology**: AI-powered tools like "Tend Scribe" that draft clinical notes and reduce administrative burden **Equity Focus**: Achieving 20% higher immunisation rates among Tamariki Māori in Auckland compared to district averages **Proven Results**: 95% of patients report their needs were met through our online urgent care service We've recently become our own Primary Health Organisation, allowing us to contract directly with Health New Zealand and streamline funding flows to deliver more coordinated, efficient care and better patient outcomes. **The Opportunity**: We're seeking an exceptional **Primary Care Lead** to lead and deliver our strategic priorities across Te Waipounamu (South Island). This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of healthcare delivery in the stunning South Island of New Zealand while working for a company that's genuinely transforming how healthcare is accessed and experienced. In this role you'll drive operational excellence, support financial performance, and ensure alignment with our innovative care model. This role is perfect for a strategic thinker who thrives on influence-based leadership but also gets into the depths of the detail and delivery to make sure stuff just happens. You’ll be driven making a real impact on healthcare delivery across diverse communities, and supporting the local operational leaders and teams to move faster, while supporting teams through change in a highly person centric way. **What You'll Do**: **Strategic Leadership** Implement Tend's strategic priorities across the South Island, including innovative care model changes and financial performance initiatives Support talent selection and execute property strategy involving site relocations and clinic consolidations Lead acquisition integration by conducting on-ground assessments and providing strategic insights **Operational Excellence** Provide interim management during operational transitions, ensuring service continuity and exceptional patient experience Partner with South Island clinics to drive alignment with business values, clinical standards, and to deliver critical projects **Relationship Management** Build and maintain strong partnerships with all South Island Tend clinics Lead through influence rather than authority, gaining buy-in across diverse teams Foster collaboration and support teams through periods of change and growth **What We're Looking For**: **Essential Experience & Skills** Bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration, Business, or related field Minimum 5 years in operations management or related roles Demonstrated project management and change implementation experience Business performance analysis and financial management expertise (Desired but not essential) Knowledge of NZ healthcare regulations and compliance requirements (Desired but not essential) Strong understanding of primary care models and New Zealand's healthcare landscape **Core Competencies**: **Strategic Execution**: Translate vision into actionable plans across multiple clinics **Financial Acumen**: Analyse P&L statements and identify revenue opportunities in primary care **Change Leadership**: Guide teams through transformation with proven ability to manage resistance **Relationship Excellence**: Build trust and influence stakeholders without direct authority **Cultural Competence**: Understanding of Te Ao Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles **Additional Requirements**: Willingness to travel throughout New Zealand to execute the role **Why Choose Tend?**: **Innovation at the Forefront** Work with world-class technology that's disrupting traditional primary healthcare and bringing genuine innovation to New Zealand's health sector **Meaningful Impact** Join a team that's actively addressing healthcare inequalities and improving access for underserved communities **Growth & Development** Be part of a rapidly expanding organisation that values entrepreneurial thinking and supports professional growth **Collaborative Culture** Work alongside exceptional leaders committed to making New Zealanders the healthiest people in the