National Lead Preparedness

• Work from where you are

• Permanent, full-time position

• Establish & maintain the national frameworks, systems, and standards

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.

About the Role

This role leads the design, governance, and continuous improvement of Health NZ's emergency management preparedness system, including national training, exercising, and operational planning frameworks. It provides system-level leadership to ensure consistent, future-ready preparedness across the health system, aligned with all-of-government expectations. You will establish national standards and frameworks that enable coordinated and effective emergency management practice.

About the Team/Service/ Location

This role sits within the Health, Wellbeing, Safety & Organisational Resilience team in the People & Culture team and reports to the National Manager Emergency Management. You'll be part of a national network of emergency management professionals, working closely with district leads and regional teams to strengthen our emergency preparedness and response capabilities.

About you

You'll bring experience in designing and governing national emergency management preparedness frameworks, including training, exercising, and operational planning systems. With strong programme management skills and a solid understanding of emergency management and health sector legislation, you're confident translating strategic requirements into practical, system-level solutions.

Formal qualifications in emergency management or resilience, and experience embedding lessons into organisational improvement, will support your success in this future-focused leadership role.

• 15+ years' progressive experience in emergency management, organisational resilience, or a closely related field, with 8–10 years at a national or enterprise leadership level influencing strategy, policy, or system design.

• Extensive, in-depth experience in emergency management preparedness including training, exercising, operational planning, and system readiness at a national scale.

• Proven track record of leading the design, governance, and implementation of national preparedness frameworks, training strategies, and exercise programmes.

• Demonstrated experience providing high-level preparedness advice to senior executives, governance groups, and cross-agency forums.

• Knowledge of the Health and Disability Sector, Health Emergency Management, and CDEM system.

• Strong political nous and judgement, with experience navigating complex multi-stakeholder environments.

Working for Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

How to Apply

To apply please click "apply now." All applications must be submitted through our online careers' portal by midnight 24 November 2025. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Lisa van der Mespel at

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