Description

• Executive clinical leadership role within a major public health system, guiding Mental Health & Addiction services across the MidCentral district.
• Lead the evolution of a wellness model of care delivery, strengthening integrated, culturally grounded and equityfocused models of care across community, primary and specialist settings.
• Join a high-performing leadership team to shape system transformation while driving clinical governance, service performance, workforce wellbeing and community partnership.

THE OPPORTUNITY 

Aotearoa’s health system is undergoing significant transformation, with Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora MidCentral committed to delivering Pae Ora — a future where all communities achieve equitable health outcomes.

Working in close partnership with the Group Manager, the Clinical Director will help shape models of care that are wellness focused, more sustainable and more responsive to the needs of Mori, Pacific, and underserved communities. This includes building the Mental Health & Addictions team through targeted recruitment to address current vacancies, reviewing services and placement within the service structure, strengthening clinical governance, and supporting innovative approaches across home, community and hospital pathways.

There is great opportunity to influence not only how Mental Health & Addiction services operate within MidCentral, but also how they contribute to a truly integrated health and social care system.

THE ROLE

Reporting to the Chief Medical Officer and serving as a key member of the senior leadership team, the Clinical Director holds joint accountability — alongside the Group Manager — for the leadership, planning, delivery and evaluation of all Mental Health & Addiction services across the district.

Working closely with clinical leaders, whnau, iwi, Pacific aiga, NGOs and community partners, the Clinical Director will:

• Provide strong clinical governance, ensuring safe, highquality and person-centred care that is wellness focused.
  Lead service review and redesign to ensure continuous improvement and strengthened integration across primary, community and specialist settings.
• Work with the Group Manager to recruit to current staff vacancies with a particular focus on addressing current reliance on locum Medical Officers.
• Drive performance, workforce capability and service sustainability.
• Work closely with Group Manager Mori to embed equity, Te Tiriti principles and culturally grounded models of care.
• Influence system-level strategy while ensuring effective daytoday clinical delivery.

This position combines 0.5 FTE clinical leadership/management with ongoing 0.5 FTE clinical practice, requiring both strategic foresight, operational discipline, and clinical credibility. The Clinical Director will provide thoughtful challenge, contribute confidently at executive level, and model the behaviours expected across a highperforming, values-driven organisation.

THE CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate will be a respected Senior Medical Officer with at least five years’ experience in Mental Health & Addiction services, bringing strong professional credibility and a commitment to continuous development.

They will be an experienced and capable leader with:

• Emotional intelligence, cultural humility, and the ability to build trust with diverse communities and teams.
• Strength in leading change, fostering collaboration and enabling high performing interdisciplinary practice.
• A strategic mindset, able to challenge respectfully and influence system-wide improvement.
• A deep commitment to equity, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and culturally responsive mental health care.
• Operational acumen across budgets, workforce planning, service performance and clinical governance.

This role is ideally suited to a clinically credible, values aligned leader who combines heart with discipline — someone ready to honour the region’s needs while helping shape the future of Mental Health & Addiction services for MidCentral communities.

For a confidential discussion, please get in touch with:

Pete Carter
HG Principal Consultant
M. +61 (0)448 729 077 | M. +64 (0)27 287 5937
E. pcarter@hardygroupintl.com

Requirements

The closing date for applications is Monday, 6th April 2026

The reference number to include in your application is H26_5361

Note: Please use the online platform to submit your application. It will not be accepted via email.
Please see link below to the Candidate Information Document to Apply
https://hardygroup.qwilr.com/5361-CD-MH-AS-02-26-cxPLvCdETjq4

If you require assistance in submitting your application online, please get in touch with Executive Search Coordinator, Aldie Zuñiga: M: +61 (0)494 101 082 / E: azuniga@hardygroupintl.com

Your application must include:

1.Cover letter addressed to the Principal Consultant;
2.A written response addressing the key selection criteria; and
3.An up to date copy of your Curriculum Vitae.
It Is standard practice for HardyGroup to acknowledge receipt of your application no later than the next business day. We request that if you do not receive the acknowledgement, you contact the search coordinator listed above as soon as possible after the 24-hour business period and arrange to resend your application if necessary.

For a confidential discussion, please contact:
Pete Carter
HG Principal Consultant
M. +61 (0)448 729 077 | M. +64 (0)27 287 5937
E. pcarter@hardygroupintl.com