Clinical Director
Pathways
CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK
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Executive Summary
- Executive clinical leadership role within one of Aotearoa’s leading NGO providers of mental health and addiction services, guiding national clinical excellence across Pathways and Real.
- Lead clinical governance, service quality and culturally grounded best practice, ensuring tāngata whai ora, taiohi, whānau and communities receive safe, trauma-informed, recovery-oriented and equitable support across the motu.
- Influence national strategy, strengthen workforce capability, and provide sector thought leadership, representing Pathways at a national level while advancing innovative models of community-based mental health care.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Pathways and Real, are nationally recognised leaders in community-based mental health, youth wellbeing and recovery-focused support. With more than 1,100 kaimahi delivering services across Aotearoa, the organisation plays a critical role in shaping the future of NGO-delivered mental health and addiction care.
Pathways is distinctive as the only NGO provider in Aotearoa with a psychiatrist embedded at this level of leadership, reflecting its commitment to strong clinical governance, sector influence and best practice.
This is a pivotal opportunity for an experienced clinical leader to guide the ongoing evolution of national service quality, uphold the organisation’s kaupapa of hope and connection, and strengthen trauma-informed, culturally responsive and recovery-focused practice.
Operating within a complex and dynamic health landscape, including strengthened partnerships with Te Whatu Ora, Oranga Tamariki, primary care providers and other NGOs — the Clinical Director will play a key role in influencing best practice across the system, while ensuring Pathways continues to be recognised as a highly clinically capable, innovative and values-driven provider.
The role offers significant scope to contribute at both a strategic and sector level, shaping national conversations, strengthening workforce capability and building high-trust relationships with Māori and Pacific communities.
It is also structured with flexibility in mind, with the potential for a four-day week to enable the appointee to remain connected to clinical practice if desired.
THE ROLE
Reporting to the Chief Executive and serving as a key member of the Pathways Executive Team, the Clinical Director provides national clinical leadership, governance and expertise across all Pathways and Real services.
This is a leadership-focused role for a qualified psychiatrist, providing organisation-wide influence through others rather than direct clinical delivery. Ensuring the organisation delivers safe, high-quality, evidence-based and Te Tiriti-aligned services that reflect contemporary mental health and addiction practice.
Working closely with the Executive Team, Child & Youth Director, Kaihautū, Peer Leadership and senior clinical leaders across the sector, the Clinical Director will:
- Provide robust clinical governance and oversight across services, policy and practice
- Lead a trauma-informed, learning-focused approach to risk, including oversight of critical incident review processes
- Strengthen clinical capability and workforce development through teaching, mentoring and system-wide influence
- Guide strategic service development and contribute to innovative, evidence-based models of care
- Build and maintain influential relationships across Health NZ, NGOs, primary care and national sector forums
- Contribute to organisational and national strategy, including advocacy for the NGO clinical workforce
This is a highly strategic and influential role, requiring a confident leader who can operate at a national level while remaining grounded in clinical practice and connected to the realities of frontline service delivery.
THE CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate will be a respected qualified and registered Specialist Psychiatrist with contemporary experience across community mental health, multidisciplinary environments and recovery-oriented practice. They will bring strong clinical networks, a deep understanding of the mental health landscape, and the credibility and confidence to influence at senior levels across the system and represent Pathways as its senior clinical voice.
They will be a values-led, relational leader who demonstrates:
- The ability to influence best practice and contribute as a clinical thought leader at a national level
- Strong clinical governance capability, with experience in quality systems, risk and continuous improvement
- Confidence and presence to engage at Executive and sector leadership level, including advocacy and representation
- A collaborative, relational approach, with the ability to work effectively across a diverse workforce and stakeholder group
- A passion for building capability in others, including teaching, mentoring and supporting workforce development
- Cultural competence and a genuine commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and equity in practice
- Emotional intelligence, sound judgement and the ability to navigate complexity with professionalism and care
Importantly, this role will suit a clinically grounded psychiatrist who is ready to step into a more strategic, leadership-focused position, maintaining connection to clinical practice while operating primarily through others, someone who embodies Pathways’ “whatever it takes” wairua, understands the communities they serve, and is motivated to make a meaningful impact at both organisational and system level.
For a confidential discussion, please get in touch with:
David Price
HG National Manager, New Zealand
M. +64 (0)21 0239 2211
E. dprice@hardygroupintl.com
Pathways
About Pathways, Real and the Wise Group
At Pathways, we provide community-based mental health and wellbeing services throughout New Zealand. We support people to live well and be part of the communities of their choice by providing a range of support services around practical daily living, leading a healthy life, employment, and housing. Pathways was established in 1989, introducing a new model of care to the mental health sector. Today, with our inspirational purpose of ‘supporting people to live full lives; hopeful and connected to what matters’, we’re continuing to lead, innovate and pioneer new ways of working.
We believe in upholding the articles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and recognise it as the founding document of Aotearoa. We have a rautaki Māori, this is the platform that sets our expectations and approaches for addressing equity. The articles of Te Tiriti inform how we develop and design our kawa to ensure the mana of kaimahi, tāngata whai ora, taiohi and whānau remain upheld. Te reo Māori me ona tikanga influences our organisation. This means our practices, approaches, organisational rhythms and celebrations are informed by Māori tikanga.
We believe everyone can recover and we’re here to do everything we can to support them in their recovery. Our wairua or spirit of ‘whatever it takes’ is not just a slogan on the wall for us, our employees live this spirit every day. While mental health is our priority, total wellbeing is our goal. We work to strengthen whānau. We’re all about hope, respect and providing personalised support that changes as people’s needs change. We are committed to working in a trauma informed way, recognising the impact trauma may have had on people & working with them to build resilience and protective factors. Join us on our journey of helping people live a life they love. Today, Pathways is one of the largest NGO’s in Aotearoa with over 1100 kaimahi.
Real provides the youth services of Pathways and has been delivering services since 2010. At Real we believe mental wellness and wellbeing are possible for every young person. We are inspired by the dream that every young person can feel great about their future and help shape their community. We support young people to build resilience and wellbeing in youth-oriented, flexible, fun, and optimistic ways.
Real provides a range of community based and residential services nationally in partnership with Te Whatu Ora, Manatu Hauora and Oranga Tamariki. We seek to respond in ways which recognise and celebrate the mana of the young person. We help young people feel great by supporting them to build life skills, resilience, and strong connections with their whānau, friends and communities. We believe what we do now can have a life long impact.
Pathways is part of the Wise Group, one of the largest non-government providers in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Wise Group is a family of charitable entities, all linked by a common dream – to create new opportunities for the wellbeing of people, vulnerable populations, organisations, and communities.
Being part of the Wise Group gives Pathways access to a wealth of resources and support, both from our shared business infrastructure services and from other entities in the Group.
Role Specification
The Clinical Director is a key member of the Pathways Executive Team, reporting to the Chief Executive and providing national clinical leadership across Pathways and Real. This role shapes clinical excellence across the organisation, ensuring services are safe, high-quality, evidence-informed and grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi and equity. Leading through others, the Clinical Director influences practice, builds capability, and contributes to national conversations shaping the future of community-based mental health and wellbeing services in Aotearoa.
Key aspects of the role include:
- National clinical leadership and governance — driving consistent, high-quality, evidence-based practice across the motu
- Strategic influence and service development — shaping models of care, innovation and continuous improvement
- Senior clinical voice and advocacy — advising the Chief Executive and Board, and representing Pathways at a national level
- Workforce capability and leadership — building clinical excellence through teaching, mentoring and supporting kaimahi
- Clinical quality and risk leadership — strengthening systems, oversight and organisational learning
- Equity and Te Tiriti leadership — embedding culturally responsive practice and “whatever it takes” outcomes for tāngata whai ora and whānau
- Sector contribution and thought leadership — influencing best practice and supporting the evolution of NGO mental health services
Provide clinical governance, ensuring a ‘clinical best practice’ direction and perspective in the development, provision and review of services, and associated policies/practice.
- Provide national clinical leadership to ensure high-quality, evidence-based services across Pathways and Real
- Partner with the Executive Team to drive clinical excellence, quality improvement, and risk management
- Lead the development and review of policies, service models, and new initiatives
- Support a positive risk culture and continuous improvement across the organisation
Support clinical competence and best practice within the workforce.
- Provide national leadership to strengthen clinical capability and workforce effectiveness
- Ensure compliance with professional standards, including HPCA and relevant regulatory requirements
- Support training, supervision, and ongoing professional development
- Build connections with tertiary providers and promote evidence-based practice across services
Champion, lead and maintain internal critical incident reviews. Participate in external sentinel event reviews. Trauma informed debriefing processes are established and active.
- Lead a robust, organisation-wide critical incident review framework
- Provide insights and reporting to the Chief Executive and Board on risks, trends, and learnings
- Embed trauma-informed, reflective practices that support service and system improvement
- Work collaboratively with internal teams and external partners on review processes
Develop and maintain external clinical relationships
- Build and maintain strong relationships with Health NZ, primary care, NGOs, and sector stakeholders
- Represent Pathways in national forums and contribute to sector leadership
- Identify opportunities for collaboration, research, and innovation
Support Pathways in being an employer of choice for clinicians.
- Contribute to strategies that attract, develop, and retain high-quality clinical staff
- Promote Pathways and Real as employers of choice within the mental health and addiction sector
Work in a culturally safe & respectful manner incorporating the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, and be mindful of the cultural diversity of our community
- Champion culturally safe practice and uphold the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi
- Ensure leadership and service delivery reflect equity and culturally responsive approaches
Be your very best
- Demonstrate continuous learning, reflective leadership, and personal development
- Contribute as a senior member of the Executive Team
- Champion innovation, including digital and evolving models of care
Think deeply, act together | Āta Whakaarohia, Mahi Tahi
- Foster a collaborative, “think and act as one” culture across Pathways, Real, and the Wise Group
- Contribute to national forums and cross-organisational priorities
- Represent the organisation with professionalism and integrity
Be committed to safety and wellness in the workplace
- Role model a strong commitment to health, safety, and wellbeing
- Ensure compliance with organisational policies and safe working practices
Accountability
Authority
- Financial - Nil
Direct Reports
- Nil
View all required key duties and responsibilities in the Position Description.
Practical and Technical Knowledge
Essential:
- Specialist Psychiatrist.
- Post graduate qualification in relevant area.
- Drivers Licence.
- Understands the Health Practitioners Competency Assurance Act and requirements of the Act as this applies to registered health professionals.
- Familiar with Ministry of Health Documents, relevant standards, and legislation.
- All relevant legislation as outlined in the Pathways Quality Improvement Framework.
- Working understanding of principles of recovery and trauma informed care.
- Working knowledge of article of Te Tiriti.
- Digital capability and ability to utilise AI and digital tools to complete role.
Preferred:
- Special interest or sub-specialty training in addictions
- Sound knowledge of working across the lifespan.
- Experience of quality improvement systems.
- Provision of professional supervision.
Experience
Essential:
- Contemporary understanding of community care and social inclusion.
- Experience in multi-disciplinary environments.
- Strong sector networks.
- Experience in breadth of psychological approaches to supporting wellbeing.
- A demonstrated ability and cultural competence in working with Māori and understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
- Clinical role modelling with high degree of maturity, stability, and selfconfidence.
- Excellent understanding of Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment & Treatment) Act (1992) and its application.
Preferred:
- Advanced clinical skills in the area of practice.
- Leadership experience.
Personal
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Strong alignment with our Peak Performance Organisation (PPO) character attributes
- Demonstrable influencing and engagement skills
- Experience in facilitation and presentation.
- Commitment to continuous learning.
View all Skills & Qualifications in the Position Description.
1. Specialist Psychiatrist with strong clinical credibility
A qualified and registered Psychiatrist with contemporary experience in mental health and addiction services. Brings strong clinical credibility, professional standing, and the ability to influence practice and decision-making at organisational and sector level.
2. Demonstrated senior clinical leadership within mental health and addiction services
Evidence of senior clinical leadership experience, ideally within community-based or complex service environments, with accountability for clinical governance, service quality, and risk. Able to operate effectively at executive level, leading through others rather than direct service delivery.
3. Proven capability in clinical governance, quality systems and continuous improvement
Demonstrated experience leading clinical governance frameworks, including quality systems, critical incident review processes, and practice improvement initiatives. Ability to embed trauma-informed approaches, translate insights into system improvement, and drive consistent, high-quality outcomes across services.
4. Commitment to equity and ability to embed Te Tiriti o Waitangi in practice and system design
A strong track record of culturally safe practice and meaningful application of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Demonstrated ability to partner with Māori and support equitable, culturally responsive models of care.
5. Strategic leadership and influence at organisational and sector level
Proven ability to contribute to organisational strategy and influence at a national or system level. Confidence and presence to represent Pathways, contribute to sector leadership, and shape best practice across mental health and addiction services.
6. Workforce capability development and commitment to building clinical excellence
Experience strengthening clinical capability across a multidisciplinary workforce, including supervision, training, and professional development. A passion for teaching, mentoring and building capability in others.
7. Highly developed communication, influencing and relationship management skills
Proven ability to build trusted, effective relationships with senior clinical leaders, government agencies, NGOs and community partners. An engaging and credible communicator, able to influence thinking, navigate complexity, and work collaboratively across a diverse workforce and stakeholder environment.
The role reports to the Chief Executive and is part of the Pathways Executive Team (PET).
Internal:
- Pathways and Real senior leadership team,
- Pathways employees,
- Pathways Board of Directors,
- Wise Management Services.
External:
- Tāngata whai ora and taiohi (people using Pathways and Real services) and their families/whānau and support people.
- Health NZ/Te Whatu Ora
- Oranga Tamariki and other relevant Ministries
- Health, Safety and Quality Council
- Mental Health Foundation
- Medical and Psychiatric stakeholders
- Other key health stakeholders including
- Platform Trust
- NGO colleagues
- PHOs
- community agencies and services.
Please speak to our HG Principal Consultant about attractive remuneration package including:
- Fifth week of Annual Leave (after 12 months)
- Two paid wellbeing days per year
- Increased KiwiSaver employer contribution
- Financial assistance for school holiday programmes
- Income continuance plan
- Wise Group contents and car insurance plans
- Specsavers discount
- Discounted Southern Cross premiums
- Financial risk and planning support services
- Access to our EAP programme
Service Location: Wellington or Auckland, New Zealand
As this is a national service there will be occasional travel across Aotearoa.
The closing date for applications is Thursday, 30th April 2026
The reference number to include in your application is H26_5482
Note: Please use the online platform to submit your application. It will not be accepted via email. (Please see the "Apply Now" button below)
If you require assistance in submitting your application online, please get in touch with Executive Search Coordinator, Aldie Zuñiga: M: +61 (0)494 101 082 / E: azuniga@hardygroupintl.com
Your application must include:
- 1.Cover letter addressed to the Principal Consultant;
- 2.A written response addressing the key selection criteria; and
- 3.An up to date copy of your Curriculum Vitae.
It Is standard practice for HardyGroup to acknowledge receipt of your application no later than the next business day. We request that if you do not receive the acknowledgement, you contact the search coordinator listed above as soon as possible after the 24-hour business period and arrange to resend your application if necessary.
For a confidential discussion, please contact:
David Price
HG National Manager, New Zealand
M. +64 (0)210 2392211
E. dprice@hardygroupintl.com
LIVING AND WORKING IN WELLINGTON AND AUCKLAND
Wellington: New Zealand’s Creative Capital
Nestled between rolling hills and a rugged coastline, Wellington is a city that thrives on creativity, culture, and character. Often referred to as the coolest little capital in the world, Wellington may be small in size, but it’s big on personality. With a vibrant arts scene, a thriving café culture, and a strong sense of community, Wellington offers a dynamic lifestyle for professionals and creatives alike.
Living in Wellington
Wellington is a city where nature and urban life blend seamlessly. You can hike through native bush in the morning and enjoy world-class coffee or craft beer by the waterfront in the afternoon. The city is compact and walkable, making it easy to explore its eclectic neighborhoods, each with its own unique charm.
Climate
Wellington has a temperate maritime climate, with mild summers and cool, wet winters. Known for its wind – it’s not called “Windy Wellington” for nothing – the city still enjoys a generous amount of sunshine, averaging around 2,000 hours per year. The weather adds to the city's dramatic coastal beauty and invigorating atmosphere.
Diversity
Wellington is a melting pot of cultures, with a strong Māori presence and a growing international community. The city celebrates its diversity through festivals, food, and inclusive public spaces. Whether you're new to New Zealand or a long-time resident, Wellington offers a welcoming environment where different cultures are embraced.
Working in Wellington
As the political and cultural heart of New Zealand, Wellington is home to government agencies, embassies, and a thriving creative sector. The city is a hub for film, digital media, and design, with world-renowned companies like Weta Workshop and Weta Digital calling it home. Tech, education, and public service are also strong employment sectors, making Wellington an attractive destination for professionals across a wide range of industries.
Living in Auckland
In Auckland, there’s something new to discover on every street – and on the water. That’s right – there are more boats per head here than anywhere else on the planet. Not for no reason is Auckland nicknamed the ‘City Of Sails’!
A city built by volcanoes, Auckland came to life when some 53 of the rumbling mountains were created between 60,000 and 140,000 years ago, and the vibe of New Zealand’s largest settlement is every bit as exciting as you might expect from a town born this way.
Auckland has practically everything to offer the skilled professional, with every street, nook and cranny offering something new to discover. With more boats per head than anywhere else on Earth, Auckland is known as the City of Sails – and you’ll be sure to sail through the city’s finest delights when you arrive.
Climate
Aucklanders enjoy a warm temperate climate. Summers are usually warm and humid while winters are mild and wet. The city boasts an average of 2,060 sunshine hours per annum – plenty to go around!
Diversity
Did you know that when it comes to diversity, Auckland is fourth in the world? That’s right – more than 200 ethnic communities live and work in Auckland, and of those, approximately one-third were born overseas. That means that it’s easy to make friends here, and mixing with people from all creeds and cultures is an absolute cinch.
Working in Auckland
As you might expect, as NZ’s largest city, Auckland boasts the biggest economy in the country. It’s here where many of New Zealand’s most innovative companies set up shop, including multinationals and national brands. As a settlement area, Auckland is by far and away the most populous in New Zealand – around one-third of the country live and work in the area, or nearby.
It’s a city in which there is huge growth in a great many sectors, the employment options are greater here than pretty much anywhere else in New Zealand. Construction, technology and IT are all booming right now, alongside media, communications and everything in between.
ABOUT US
HardyGroup’s (HG) mission is simple
Find and Grow Great Leaders - and we have been doing exactly that for more than 30 years in public and private health, primary, community and aged care as well as the broader public service.
Our synergistic business model of Executive Search and Recruitment integrated with Executive Leadership and Learning is our unique point of difference.
It ensures our clients can count on us for the lifecycle of their organisations leadership journey and why we are regarded as the leading trans-Tasman partner agency by clients.
When engaging HG you can be confident in a deeply personalised experience and service as nothing matters more to us than relationships and results.