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

Serve as first point of escalation for HR and operational matters, applying sound judgment at all levels

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 world

Work-Life Integration Enjoy the flexibility of covering the stunning South Island while being part of a modern, tech-enabled workplace

Ready to Transform Healthcare?

If you're passionate about healthcare innovation, skilled in operational leadership, and excited about making a real difference to New Zealand communities, we want to hear from you.

Position Details:

Status: Permanent Full-time

Hours: 40 hours per week minimum

Location: Te Waipounamu (South Island), New Zealand

Travel: Regular travel throughout New Zealand required

Apply Now

Join us in building a 100-year, Kiwi-owned healthcare company for future generations. Together, we're not just delivering healthcare – we're revolutionising it.

Tend Health is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and particularly encourage applications from Māori, Pacific peoples, and other underrepresented communities.