Job Description

Head of Department - Microbiology

Permanent, Full-time | Christchurch

Technical credibility. Strong people leadership. Sound business judgement.

Who we are | Ko wai mātou

Awanui Labs Canterbury is part of Awanui Group, the largest network of human and veterinary diagnostics laboratories in New Zealand. Awanui has laboratories throughout the country and is committed to providing facilities and services that deliver exceptional care to patients, referrers and clients.

Our Christchurch laboratory Microbiology department operates seven days a week and provides diagnostic microbiology services to the Canterbury and South Canterbury regions. The Microbiology department is supported by Clinical Microbiologists and a skilled team of Medical Laboratory Scientists, Medical Laboratory Technicians and Trainees.

About the role | Ngā kōrero mō te tūranga

We are looking for an accomplished Head of Department to lead our Microbiology service in Christchurch. This is a key leadership role requiring a strong combination of technical expertise, people leadership and business acumen.

Reporting to the Operations Manager, you will be accountable for the technical, operational, people and financial performance of the department. You will lead a skilled laboratory team, ensure the delivery of high-quality diagnostic services, and continually look for better, more efficient ways of working.

We are looking for someone who does more than manage the day-to-day. You will be a leader who can work through complex problems, make sound decisions, develop capable people and optimise the resources available to you. You will understand the importance of delivering service requirements within the department's approved budgets, and will use workforce planning, productivity, process improvement and good judgement to achieve this.

This is an opportunity to lead an established department while continuing to strengthen how it operates, develops its people and delivers for patients and referrers.

What you will be accountable for

• Provide strong technical and operational leadership, ensuring accreditation, quality, contractual and regulatory requirements are consistently met.
• Lead, coach and develop a high-performing, accountable and service-focused team, including clear performance expectations and ongoing capability development.
• Manage workforce planning, rostering, and leave, ensuring service requirements are delivered within the department's approved budget.
• Use available data to solve operational issues, improve productivity and make sound decisions about resources and priorities.
• Continuously improve processes, methodologies and ways of working to reduce waste, increase efficiency and deliver sustainable service improvements.
• Build strong relationships across Awanui and with referrers and other stakeholders, leading change and improvement initiatives collaboratively.
  

About you | He kōrero mōu

We are interested in an experienced laboratory professional who has progressed beyond being a strong technical specialist and has developed into a well-rounded operational leader.

• Registration as a Medical Laboratory Scientist with a specialisation in Microbiology and a current Annual Practicing Certificate.
• A minimum of seven (7) years' Microbiology experience, with strong technical knowledge of laboratory protocols, practices and quality systems.
• Molecular Pathology experience would be advantageous.
• Proven experience leading and developing a technical or laboratory team, with strong people management, performance management and communication skills.
• Strong business and operational acumen, including experience managing budgets, KPIs, workforce resources and service delivery within defined FTE and financial parameters.
• A demonstrated ability to solve problems, identify inefficiencies and implement practical improvements to workflows, productivity, resource utilisation and service quality.
• Sound judgement, change leadership and stakeholder management skills, supported by a good understanding of Health and Safety requirements.
• Proficiency with laboratory information systems and Microsoft suite including Word and Excel.

What's in it for you | He aha mōu

You will join a friendly, high-performing and forward-thinking laboratory environment with access to highly automated and technically advanced diagnostic services. This role offers the opportunity to have a genuine impact - not only on the technical performance of the Microbiology department, but on its people, culture, efficiency and future direction.

You will also have access to professional development opportunities through Awanui's Learning & Development team and the opportunity to collaborate with technical and operational colleagues across the wider Awanui network.

Ready to combine technical expertise, people leadership and commercial thinking?

Apply now!

Applications close 25 September 2026