SLSNZ - Medical Director

Help shape the future of emergency care in Surf Life Saving

Part-time | Based anywhere in NZ.

Provide medical leadership that helps save lives.

Every summer, thousands of Surf Life Saving volunteers stand ready to help people safely enjoy New Zealand's coastline. Behind every rescue, first aid response and emergency care interaction sits a commitment to safe, evidence-based clinical practice.

We're seeking an experienced medical practitioner to join Surf Life Saving New Zealand as our Medical Director, providing independent clinical leadership and governance that helps ensure our people have the knowledge, standards and support they need to deliver safe care in unique and often challenging environments. This is an opportunity to shape clinical practice nationally while contributing to an organisation that makes a genuine difference to communities across Aotearoa.

About the role

Reporting to the General Manager – Lifesaving, you’ll be SLSNZ’s principal medical adviser.

You’ll provide clear, independent and practical medical advice to help ensure the first aid and emergency care delivered by trained SLSNZ members is safe, legally compliant, nationally consistent and appropriate for surf lifesaving, sport and search and rescue environments.

Working alongside our Lifesaving, Operations and Education teams, you will:

• Provide medical oversight of SLSNZ’s first aid, resuscitation and emergency care standards.

• Issue and maintain standing orders for methoxyflurane and any other approved medicines.

• Help define the care trained members are authorised and competent to provide, including when care must be escalated.

• Advise on member training, competency requirements, medical equipment, treatments and procedures.

• Provide medical advice following serious incidents, near misses and emerging health risks.

• Work with SurfCom, National Operations and relevant National Volunteer Committees.

• Represent or support SLSNZ in relevant national and international medical, resuscitation and emergency care forums.

• Translate complex medical requirements into clear, practical guidance for our staff and volunteer members.

The Medical Director provides independent medical advice and authority. SLSNZ management remains responsible for implementing that advice, managing resources and delivering day-to-day operations.

For full position description click here.

About you

We’re looking for someone who combines strong medical credibility with sound judgement, clear communication and a collaborative approach.

You’ll bring:

• Registration as a medical practitioner in New Zealand with a current Annual Practising Certificate.

• Significant experience in emergency medicine, urgent care, pre-hospital care, acute medicine, intensive care, rural medicine or another relevant specialty.

• Experience in clinical governance, medical risk and evidence-based decision-making.

• The ability to interpret medical evidence and apply it thoughtfully to practical operational environments.

• The confidence to provide clear, independent and defensible advice.

• The ability to make complex medical matters understandable to volunteers and non-clinical audiences.

• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to influence across medical, operational, governance and volunteer settings.

Experience in emergency services, rescue, sport, volunteer or community-based organisations would be advantageous. Experience with medicines governance, standing orders, national clinical leadership or standards-setting groups would also be valuable.

An understanding of Surf Life Saving would be beneficial, but a genuine willingness to understand our movement, our members and the environments in which they operate is essential.

Why Surf Life Saving New Zealand?

Every year, our volunteers undertake thousands of preventative actions, rescues and first aid treatments that help keep New Zealanders safe in and around the water.

As Medical Director, you’ll play an important role in ensuring our members have clear standards, appropriate training, safe access to medicines and equipment, and the confidence to provide effective care when people need it most.

You’ll contribute to meaningful national initiatives, work alongside passionate and highly capable people, and help shape the future of first aid and emergency care within one of New Zealand’s most recognised volunteer organisations.

Time commitment

This voluntary specialist advisory appointment is expected to require up to approximately 10 hours per month, including attendance at agreed governance and advisory meetings.

Some additional time may be required for agreed priority events, significant incident reviews or emerging medical matters

Join us

If you’re passionate about improving emergency care, supporting volunteers and contributing to safer communities, we’d love to hear from you.

Please submit your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your relevant experience and interest in the role.

Applications close: 11 September, 2026.

For further information or a confidential discussion, please contact Andy Kent, andy.kent@surflifesaving.org.nz