Group Operations Manager

Company Description

Ko wai mātou - About us: 

Hato Hone St John has been serving New Zealanders since 1885. Today, our 11,000-strong team of kaimahi work across Aotearoa to enhance the health and wellbeing of our communities. From responding to 111 calls to supporting people to stay healthy through our mahi in health education, access, and monitoring, we are making life-changing differences every day. 

Job Description

He aha te tūranga - About the role: 

Are you passionate about making positive change for our people? Do you have the skills and attributes to be an effective leader in the Emergency Ambulance environment? Do you believe that our people are our most valuable asset?

If the answer is yes, then we are seeking applications for a permanent Group Operations Manager in the Tararua Region to oversee Pahiatua, Dannevirke, Feilding, Eketahuna and Pongaroa stations.

This position is a dynamic and responsive role with a focus on ensuring our people have the tools and support that they require to perform and enjoy their roles on a day-to-day basis. This is a great development opportunity if you are seeking a role that makes a meaningful difference in the lives of our people, and that will provide you with the foundational experience you will need to kick-start a career in leadership and management.

Reporting to the Mid Central Area Operations Manager, this role holds line management responsibility for paid frontline personnel along with non-watch aligned volunteers, casuals, and relief personnel and is responsible for enabling the efficient and effective provision of EAS within the district. 

Group Operations Managers focus on:

1. Staff Management and Support
2. Incident Management
3. Clinical Response (first response and clinical backup are actively de-emphasized)

The hours of work are based on 40 hours per week, worked between Monday and Friday. The nature of Emergency Ambulance Service and in particular GOM role will require flexibility in the hours and days that are to be worked. This role will have access to a response capable pool car during work hours. 

Qualifications

Ko wai koe - About you:

The role requires demonstrated people leadership in a complex environment, ideally with an understanding of the health sector or emergency services. A clinical or ambulance background is not essential and we will train you to First Responder level if required. Additional relevant skills:

• Ability to lead teams in a high-pressure dynamic setting
• Capability to motivate, support, and develop staff
• Strong communication to provide guidance, support and feedback
• Incident Management
• Commitment to positive change

Additional Information

Me pēhea te tuku tono - How to apply

Click “I’m interested” before applications close on Wednesday 17 June 2026.

For further information please contact Jade McInerney, Senior Recruitment Advisor, on 095260528 ext: 9970 or  jade.mcinerney@stjohn.org.nz for a confidential discussion.

Please note: all appointments are subject to satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks including, but not limited to, physical assessment,psychometric assessment,  police vetting, health check, and reference checks. For clinical operations roles where you are required to drive, you will be required to meet Hato Hone St John Medical Standards for Driving

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 rerekētanga o ia tāngata ki te haramai.  E āwhinatia e mātou I ngā whakaaro rerekē, kia mahi pai I roto I ngā hāpori katoa.  Ko tā mātou nei haepapa, kia hanga tētahi āhuru mōwai mā tatou, 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.