Full-time | 40 hours per week (Monday–Friday)
Salary: $140,000 – $160,000
Hospice Southland is seeking an experienced, values-driven Director of Nursing & Clinical Services to join its senior leadership team, reporting directly to the CEO. This is a pivotal leadership opportunity to shape and strengthen palliative care services across the Southland and Wakatipu regions.
About Hospice Southland
Hospice Southland provides specialist palliative care to people living with life-limiting illness, free of charge, and wherever possible, in the setting of their choice.
Our services include:
- A 6-bed inpatient unit
- Community care supporting over 200 patients at any one time
- We take a holistic approach to care, supporting not only patients but also their whānau, addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
The Role
This role provides strategic and operational leadership across all clinical services, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, patient and whānau-centred, evidence-based palliative care across a large and geographically diverse region, from Stewart Island through to Queenstown.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide visible, values-led clinical and professional leadership
- Lead and manage a team of approximately 26 nursing staff across inpatient and community services
- Provide leadership to clinical teams and/or coordinators across the inpatient unit and community services, as well as the Patient and Family Support Team Leader
- Work in close partnership with the Medical Director to support clinical operations, service quality, workforce performance, and clinical governance
- Maintain clinical oversight of patients and whānau across inpatient and community settings
- Foster a culture of quality improvement, safety, and continuous development
- Build and maintain strong regional partnerships and community relationships
- This role is primarily based at the hospice facility on the Southland Hospital campus, with some travel required across the wider district.
About You
You are a senior clinical leader who brings both credibility and compassion, with the ability to lead teams through complexity while staying grounded in purpose.
You will be:
- A positive role model with strong personal integrity and approachability
- An experienced people leader who fosters collaboration, trust, and accountability
- Clinically credible, with a strong background in nursing leadership
- Comfortable being hands-on and contributing operationally when needed
- Passionate about delivering holistic, culturally responsive care aligned with Te Tiriti o Waitangi
- Committed to building meaningful relationships across the Southland community
Hospice Southland is an accredited employer and can support visa applications
Potential initial accommodation support may be available
For a confidential discussion or further information, please contact:
Robbie McKenzie, Agency Director
027 519 4993
robbiem@rwrhealth.co.nz
This is a rare opportunity to step into a highly respected organisation and play a key role in shaping the future of palliative care across the region.