Ko wai mātou - About us:

Hato Hone St John has been serving New Zealanders and working to save lives since 1885. As well as providing Ambulance and community health services, our team of over 11,000 staff and volunteers are helping to build strong, resilient communities across the motu; supporting everyone in Aotearoa to live healthier, happier and longer lives.

He aha te tūranga - About the role:   

We are seeking a highly influential and strategic leader to step into a newly scoped executive role: Deputy Chief Executive – Office of the Chief Executive. This role builds on the foundations of the former Director level position but reflects a broadening of remit and strategic impact. 

As a key member of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) reporting to the Chief Executive, this senior leader will be responsible for creating effective alignment and operating arrangements across several key functions which include  

• Strategy 
• Government relations and stakeholder engagement 
• External policy development and submissions 
• Public affairs and reputation management 
• Internal & external communications 
• Fundraising 
• Legal Services and 
• Order Matters and St John International Office liaison. 

The position plays a key role in setting our organisational strategy, promoting and advocating for the work that we do with government officials and key stakeholders to ensure that trusting and effective partnerships and relationships are built and maintained. 

As member of the ELT, you’ll contribute to the development, implementation and promotion of Hato Hone St John’s strategy and business plans, providing executive level insight and perspectives. You’ll inspire a highly capable team and role model a positive, progressive working environment aligned with the integrity charter that encourages people to be the best they can.  

Key accountabilities 

• Lead the implementation and evolution of our organisational strategy - Manaaki Ora, working with members of the executive team to ensure alignment of annual directorate plans with the organisation’s strategic aims. 
• Provide comprehensive and sound advice for the Chief Executive, wider ELT, and Board, on strategy as well as national, global and sector trends that might influence future organisation development and planning.       
• Oversee the development and delivery of the organisation’s  Government Relations plan and stakeholder engagement plan ensuring year-on-year improvement in engagement levels, enhanced quality of relationships, and increased awareness of organisation’s services and the difference we make.  
• Oversee policy submissions and proposed legislative changes that might affect or impact on service     
• Guide and influence key internal communications, media relations and social media strategy ensuring our messaging is aligned to our values and strategic objectives. Oversee reputation management and strategic external communications to enhance and protect the reputation of Hato Hone St John. 
• Oversee the development, implementation and monitoring of the fundraising plan and targets.  
• Oversee the effective delivery of the legal services function at Hato Hone St John, ensuring sound, timely, impartial advice is provided to the Board and ELT and that all legal requirements of the organisation are maintained and protected. 
• Provide strategic support and leadership to the work of the Order of St John  in the New Zealand Priory as well as the International Office of St John and Associations in the Asia Pacific Region.  All with the aim of enhancing the work of the Order internationally. 

The role can be based from Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch, with a regular presence in Auckland expected.   

  Ko wai koe - About you: 

We are looking for an inclusive leader with proven experience at executive level and ability to achieve positive outcomes from a position of influence. Skills and experience should include: 

• Experience in an Executive role, working closely with a Chief Executive, Executive team, and Board, in a medium to large organisation with complex structures, and the ability to provide advice and guidance on a wide range of complex matters i.e strategy, public relations, government relations.  
• Proven experience in strategy development and a solid understanding of key strategic concepts and frameworks to support both development and delivery.  
• Proven experience in government and stakeholder relationships and / or public affairs and policy development. 
• An excellent understanding of the health and / or government operating environment, maintaining an up-to-date knowledge of relevant current events, trends and external factors which could impact strategic direction and delivery and / or reputation of Hato Hone St John. 
• Respected leadership capability with a measured, decisive approach to navigating complexity and competing demands. 
• A demonstrated commitment to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi | Te Tiriti o Waitangi. 
• A role model for openness and inclusion; committed to promoting diversity and awareness of equal opportunities. 

Me pēhea te tuku tono - How to apply 

Click “I’m interested” before applications close on Wednesday 04th June.

Please upload a cover letter with your CV or include a covering letter on the ‘message to hiring team’ section of the portal. 

For further information please contact Lindsey Frankland on 027 309 8372  for a confidential discussion or email [email protected]  

At Hato Hone St John, we embrace diversity, welcoming everyone to bring their authentic selves to work. We value unique perspectives, fostering inclusivity to better serve our communities, and we’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone belongs.

E pōhiritia nei e mātou, te whānau o Hato Hone St John, ngā rereketanga o ia tāngata ki te haramai. E āwhinatia e mātou i ngā whakaaro rereke, kia mahi pai i roto i ngā hāpori katoa. Ko ta mātou nei haepapa, kia hangaia tātahi āhuru mōwai mā tātou, kia mahi haumaru ai.

If you need accommodations for accessibility, please reach out to the recruiter listed for equitable participation in our recruitment process.

Research shows that women and people from under-represented groups are less likely to apply for roles when their experience doesn’t match the job description perfectly. If you’re excited and think you have what it takes, we want to hear from you! Even if your experience doesn’t align 100%. Please apply or contact the recruitment advisor listed on the advertisement for a kōrero.