The Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM) is seeking an experienced and politically astute Manager, Aotearoa New Zealand Advocacy and Strategy to lead its advocacy, strategic engagement and government relations activity in Aotearoa New Zealand.

This is a newly established senior leadership role and an exciting opportunity for someone who understands how government works in Wellington and can build strong, trusted relationships with decision-makers across the health and public sector.

As ACEM’s senior operational representative in Aotearoa New Zealand, you will play a pivotal role in strengthening the College’s influence and profile, translating its strategic priorities into a New Zealand context and helping shape the future of emergency care.

About the opportunity

Reporting to the General Manager, Policy and Public Affairs, you will lead ACEM’s advocacy and strategic engagement across Aotearoa New Zealand.

You will:

• Develop and implement ACEM’s Aotearoa New Zealand advocacy and strategic engagement strategy, translating broader College priorities into a local context.
• Monitor and interpret the political, policy and health system environment, providing timely strategic advice on emerging issues, risks and opportunities.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with government, health agencies, Ministers’ offices, professional bodies, medical colleges and other key stakeholders.
• Represent ACEM externally and advocate on behalf of its members and trainees.
• Provide strategic advice and contribute to submissions, briefings, policy responses, campaigns, reports and other advocacy outputs.
• Work closely with the ACEM Aotearoa New Zealand National Council and colleagues across ACEM to identify and progress strategic priorities.
• Provide visible leadership to two staff in the Wellington office, supporting a collaborative and high-performing team.
• Work closely with the Media Advisor to ensure public commentary and media engagement is aligned with ACEM’s advocacy priorities.
• Help establish effective processes and ways of working as this new leadership structure develops.

About you

You will be an experienced government relations, advocacy, policy or strategic engagement professional who understands the New Zealand government and ideally the health system and knows how to navigate complex stakeholder environments.

You will bring:

• Strong knowledge of Aotearoa New Zealand government processes and the machinery of government.
• Significant experience developing advocacy strategies and influencing government, decision-makers and senior stakeholders.
• Strong political judgement and an ability to assess the environment, identify opportunities and determine when and how to act.
• Excellent relationship-building, negotiation and influencing skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to represent an organisation at a senior level.
• Experience leading people and/or providing day-to-day leadership within a professional, government, health, membership or comparable environment.
• The ability to operate autonomously while maintaining strong alignment with organisational leadership.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Māori health equity, with a practical understanding of how to seek and engage appropriate Māori expertise and ensure that Te Tiriti, tikanga Māori and Māori perspectives inform strategy, advocacy, policy development, stakeholder engagement and organisational practice in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Most importantly, you will be a credible and confident relationship-builder who is comfortable picking up the phone, getting out into Wellington and developing connections across government and the wider health sector.

Why ACEM?

ACEM is a not-for-profit organisation responsible for the training, assessment and continuing professional development of emergency physicians, as well as advancing professional standards in emergency medicine across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

Its vision is to be the trusted authority for ensuring clinical, professional and training standards in the provision of quality, patient-focused emergency care. ACEM's values are Equity, Respect, Integrity and Collaboration.

This is an opportunity to join an organisation with a genuine purpose and make a tangible contribution to the emergency medicine sector and the wider health system.

You will also have the opportunity to work closely with ACEM colleagues across Australia and travel to Melbourne quarterly.

ACEM offers genuine flexible working arrangements, Australian superannuation and additional gifted leave over the Christmas/New Year period.

If you are an experienced government relations, advocacy or strategic engagement professional who understands Wellington and is motivated by the opportunity to influence better outcomes for emergency care, we would love to hear from you.

To apply, please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience and interest in the role.

For a copy of the job description please email info@thejohnsongroup.co.nz. For a confidential discussion about the opportunity, please contact Marissa Taylor at The Johnson Group on 0274052594 or marissa@thejohnsongroup.co.nz

Applications close Sunday 18th October at 12pm.