Charge Nurse Manager - Mental Health Bureau

Charge Nurse Manager - Mental Health Bureau

Henry Rongomau Bennett Centre - soon to be relocating to a new purpose built, contemporary facility

Permanent 80 hours per fortnight

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Charge Nurse Manager to provide clinical, professional and operational leadership within our Mental Health and Addictions service.

The Charge Nurse Manager plays a pivotal leadership role in fostering effective partnerships with taangata whaiora, whaanau and staff, while supporting teams to work collaboratively to deliver safe, equitable and person-centred care.

This is a varied leadership role with responsibility for a diverse workforce and an important role in supporting the effective day to day operation of our mental health services.

The current portfolio includes leadership of a team of Associate Charge Nurse Managers who provide after hours coordination and leadership across our mental health inpatient services and after hours community services. The CNM also provides leadership and management of our mental health bureau workforce, comprising permanent, part time and casual Registered Nurses and Mental Health Assistants who provide flexible staffing support across our inpatient services.

As our services transition into the new acute adult inpatient facility, this portfolio will continue to evolve alongside the needs of the service. There will be opportunities to review and further develop how these functions support the wider service, and the successful applicant will play an important role in this work while continuing to provide strong leadership and support to the teams within the portfolio.

Responsibilities of the role:

• Provide clinical, professional and operational leadership across the portfolio.
• Build, lead and sustain high-performing teams that uphold the culture, values and expectations of the service.
• Provide leadership and support to the Associate Charge Nurse Managers responsible for after hours service coordination.
• Lead and manage the bureau workforce, including permanent, part time and casual staff, ensuring effective workforce planning, deployment, development and oversight.
• Coordinate staffing resources in response to changing service demand and support safe and effective service delivery.
• Support the safe and efficient flow of taangata whaiora across inpatient services.
• Provide leadership and coordination during significant clinical or operational events, working collaboratively with senior service leaders.
• Maintain oversight of practice standards, staff development, performance, quality and safety.
• Foster a culture of openness, continuous improvement and shared accountability, with taangata whaiora at the centre
• Actively support Maaori health gains and contribute to achieving equitable health outcomes.

About the Team or Service

Mental Health and Addictions services in Waikato are entering an exciting period of development, including the transition of our acute adult inpatient service into a new purpose-built contemporary facility.

While the new facility provides a significantly improved physical environment, it also creates an opportunity to consider how we work across our services and how our workforce can best support taangata whaiora and whaanau.

This role works across service boundaries and has strong relationships with inpatient and community teams. We are looking for a leader who is comfortable working in a changing environment, can bring people together and is able to contribute positively to the development of future ways of working.

About Hamilton

Hamilton, where Waikato Hospital is situated, is a vibrant city nestled alongside the scenic Waikato River, offering a perfect mix of nature and culture. Explore the stunning Hamilton Gardens, home to themed gardens from Italy to Asia, or visit the Waikato Museum to delve into the region's rich history. The city also boasts the Hamilton Zoo, where you can walk through an aviary filled with native birds. Hamilton is a lively hub, with a variety of cafes, restaurants, and bars, along with events like rugby, cricket, and the famous National Agricultural Fieldays and Balloons over Waikato festival. With its vibrant atmosphere and proximity to outdoor adventures, Hamilton is an ideal place to live and work.

About You

You will be an experienced mental health nurse and leader who can balance people leadership, clinical oversight and operational demands.

• A registered health professional with a current annual practicing certificate.
• A minimum of 5 years post graduate experience in a mental health setting.
• A post graduate qualification with a focus on mental health.
• An understanding of clinical governance and evidence-based practice.
• Highly developed interpersonal communication and negotiation skills including demonstrated ability to build productive working relationships with colleagues to achieve required outcomes.
• Ability to display initiative and resourcefulness that will allow you to navigate the variety of challenges you could face.
• Experience in leadership roles is an advantage.

Working at Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

How to Apply

To apply please click Apply online or apply via our Waikato Careers website.

All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal before 11:59 pm on 4 October 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Robyn Payne at Robyn.Payne@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process before the closing date of this advert.

Job Details

Job Reference: WAI32661

Location: North Island - Waikato - Hamilton

Job type: Permanent Full time

Expertise: Clinical - Mental Health - Registered Mental Health Nurse

Closes: 04-Oct-2026