Regional Clinical Lead

Combine your clinical and leadership experience to help build the future of medicine at the University of Waikato.

• Play a meaningful role in the future of medical education and healthcare in your region

• Roles across Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki/Whanganui and Nelson/Marlborough

• Combine your healthcare experience, local knowledge and leadership capability to create a lasting impact

The University of Waikato is establishing the New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine (NZGSM), a medical school with a clear purpose: to help strengthen New Zealand's health workforce and prepare future doctors to serve communities across Aotearoa New Zealand. As part of this vision, the school is creating a distributed model of medical education that connects students with hospitals, primary care providers and communities across the country.

Hear more from the Dean and Deputy Dean about the New Zealand School of Medicine and our Regional Clinical Lead opportunities. 

Ngā kōrero mō te tūranga – About the role

We are seeking 10, regionally based, Regional Clinical Leads to help bring this new model of medical education to life. Opportunities are available across Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki/Whanganui and Nelson/Marlborough, with one Primary Care Lead and one Hospital Lead appointed in each region.

As a Regional Clinical Lead, you will be a senior clinical and academic representative of the University in your region. Working with healthcare providers, iwi, community organisations, clinical educators and local partners, you will help create high-quality clinical learning experiences that prepare future doctors for practice in the communities they will ultimately serve.

These roles offer the opportunity to combine your clinical expertise, regional knowledge and leadership capability to help shape a new medical school from the ground up. You'll contribute to an initiative designed to have a lasting impact on healthcare access, health equity and the future medical workforce while supporting the next generation of doctors.

• The Regional Clinical Lead - Primary Care role focuses on learning experiences delivered through primary care and community settings.

• The Regional Clinical Lead - Hospital role focuses on learning experiences delivered within hospital-based and acute clinical environments. 

Working together, both roles within the region contribute to an integrated learning experience for students across Years 2-4 of the programme.

Candidates can indicate their preferred region or regions and role type as part of the application process.

Salary will be based on skills, knowledge and experience brought to the position. These are three-year appointments at 7.5 hours a week (0.2FTE), with flexibility according to regional scale and cohort size.

For more information on the roles, please see the Primary Care or Hospital position descriptions. For a confidential conversation, please contact Samantha Murton at samantha.murton@waikato.ac.nz.  All applications must be submitted through the online portal; emailed applications will not be accepted.

Ko wai koe? – Who are you?

You are a respected clinician who understands your region and is passionate about helping develop the next generation of doctors.

You build strong relationships, collaborate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders and are motivated by the opportunity to improve health outcomes for your community. You bring the leadership capability, professional credibility and commitment to help shape a new model of medical education and support students as they prepare for practice across Aotearoa New Zealand.

You will also bring:

• A medical degree and a current Annual Practising Certificate in good standing with the Medical Council of New Zealand.

• Significant current clinical practice experience and experience in clinical teaching, supervision or medical education.

• Strong communication, facilitation, relationship management and collaboration skills.

• A demonstrated understanding of health equity, cultural safety and the health needs of Māori, Pacific, rural and regional communities.

For the Regional Clinical Lead (Primary Care) opportunities, you will hold vocational registration as a General Practitioner in New Zealand and maintain at least 0.2 FTE active primary care clinical practice within your region.

For the Regional Clinical Lead (Hospital) opportunities, you will hold vocational registration in a medical specialty relevant to hospital-based clinical practice in New Zealand and remain in active clinical practice alongside the University appointment.

Don’t meet every single requirement?

Research shows that some people are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every qualification. At The University of Waikato, we’re committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and genuine workplace. So, if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t perfectly match every listed qualification, we still encourage you to apply. You might be just the right person for this or another opportunity on our team.

Ko wai mātou? – Who are we?

The New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine (NZGSM) partners with communities to deliver medical education and research that responds to the current and future health and workforce needs of Aotearoa New Zealand. Guided by the University’s motto, Ko te Tangata – For the People, the School develops a workforce that reflects the communities it serves, contributing to health equity by improving access to primary and community care, especially in rural and provincial settings.

He aha ngā take me tono mai ai koe? – Why should you apply for this position?

We want you to be part of our success!  Our university stands proudly on the world stage as a provider of future-focused, international education and an active player in global research. Our rankings reflect these strengths. Working with us means you’ll enjoy a satisfying work environment with many benefits.

The University of Waikato is distinctive for the diversity of its staff and students and encourages applicants with the relevant capabilities from all backgrounds to apply. Applicants must have the legal right to live and work in NZ in accordance with the NZ Immigration regulations which can be found here.

Ko Te Tangata – For the People

The University of Waikato prides itself on the quality of its engagement with the communities that it serves, the provision of a world-class education and the national and international impact of its research. Our policies are guided by the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and equal opportunity for all.

E herea ana te Whare Wānanga ki te kaupapa kia whakaratohia te mea angitū ōrite ki ngā tāngata katoa.

Applications Close 28th October 2026

Requisition number: 1003892