Head of School of Health Equity and Innovation

• Lead one of Aotearoa's most future-focused health portfolios, shaping education, research and workforce innovation that directly influences health outcomes for communities.
• Drive meaningful equity-led change by embedding Te Tiriti o Waitangi, cultural safety and community partnership at the core of academic leadership and programme design.
• Influence nationally and collaborate locally, working alongside iwi, Pacific communities, Te Whatu Ora and sector leaders to deliver real-world impact.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The New Zealand Government has agreed to proceed with the establishment of a new medical school at the University of Waikato, to be known as the New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine (NZGSM), representing a significant strategic investment in New Zealand's healthcare future.

The NZGSM will introduce a new, proven model of medical education, with entry pathways that will attract people who want to become primary care doctors in rural and regional communities. By focusing on primary care and rural and regional communities, the new medical school will ensure that more doctors are trained to serve the communities that need them most, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes across New Zealand.

Similar to many of the best medical schools internationally the NZGSM will offer a four year graduate entry programme. Students will spend their first year at the University of Waikato's Hamilton campus intensively studying biomedical sciences and the social determinants of health through a case-based learning framework. A digital-first pedagogy underpins the teaching, with students having access to the leading digital anatomy tools. Academic learning will be reinforced through multidisciplinary clinical simulation in a new state-of-the-art facility.

The NZGSM will have an initial intake of 120 students, with applications to enrol opening mid-2027 for a January 2028 start.

THE ROLE

Reporting to the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Health), you are a senior member of the Division of Health Leadership Team, providing academic, strategic and operational leadership across a broad and evolving portfolio.

You will:

• Lead the strategic development of the School, ensuring alignment with Te Tiriti o Waitangi, University priorities, and national health reform.
• Drive curriculum innovation across undergraduate, postgraduate and professional education, including the development of an expanded taught postgraduate portfolio with a Master of Public Health (or equivalent) as a flagship offering.
• Establish and grow professional education, micro-credentials and alternative learning pathways to support workforce development.
• Lead research strategy, capability and funding development with a strong emphasis on equity-centred, community-engaged and translational research.
• Actively build and steward partnerships with iwi, Pacific communities, Te Whatu Ora, government agencies and innovation networks.
• Provide financial leadership and contribute to sustainable growth through external income and strategic investment.
• Foster a high-performing culture grounded in cultural safety, inclusion, integrity and innovation.

You will also play a critical role unifying equity and innovation activity across the Division of Health, supporting interdisciplinary teaching, research and collaboration across professional schools.

THE CANDIDATE

You will be an academic leader of standing, typically at Associate Professor or Professor level, with a strong reputation in health research, leadership and education.

You will bring:

• Deep understanding and practical leadership in Te Tiriti-led, equity-centred education and research.
• Credibility with Māori and Pacific communities and across the health sector.
• A proven track record in building programmes, growing research capability and leading people.
• Strategic and commercial acumen to develop new offerings and partnerships.
• A collaborative, inclusive and courageous leadership style.

Above all, you will be a values-driven leader motivated by impact: improving health outcomes, shaping workforce capability, and building an academic environment where people and communities thrive.

This recruitment is being managed by Hardygroup. For a confidential discussion, please get in touch with Hardygroup and David Price, ​National Manager, New Zealand, at

The closing date for applications is Tuesday, 20 January 2026. Please apply via their website or this link. Please include reference number H25_5333 in your application.