Vacancies

Location: Cleveland Rd, Parnell, Auckland, national role (travel required)

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Direct Reports: Breast Nurses, Community Outreach Staff

About us:

Established in 1994, Breast Cancer Foundation NZ (BCFNZ), is a not-for-profit, non-government organisation (NGO) that provides breast cancer education and awareness, medical research, training grants, advocacy and supports Kiwis with breast cancer. Our vision is zero deaths from breast cancer. Currently over 3,500 Kiwis are diagnosed with breast cancer and over 650 die from breast cancer every year. BCFNZ’s programmes are evidence-based and overseen by its medical advisory committee.

Join a talented, vibrant and supportive team that values diversity and an inclusive workplace. With conveniently located offices in Parnell, we foster a healthy, positive, fun and encouraging work environment.

United by our goals, we are driven to make a difference to the lives of New Zealanders affected by breast cancer, while pushing for new frontiers in early detection & treatment.

You’ll have exposure to a unique environment with its finger on the pulse of the latest research, and real satisfaction in knowing that your work contributes directly to the wellbeing of the wāhine of Aotearoa, New Zealand.

We are family & dog friendly, with flexible working hours and hybrid working arrangements.

We are committed to equal employment opportunities and welcome applications from everyone who can meet the requirements of the role.

Key Purpose of Position:

The Head of Nursing and Community Outreach provides strategic, clinical, and operational leadership across the Foundation’s nursing, education, and community support programmes. The role is central to achieving the Foundation’s vision by developing, scaling, and delivering high-impact breast cancer education, health promotion, and patient support.

This role sits on the Foundations leadership, ensuring national services are evidence-based, equitable, culturally responsive, and delivered with compassion, while contributing strategically to organisational leadership, sector influence, advocacy, and long-term sustainability.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Development, Equity & Health System Impact:

• Lead the strategic development, measurement & reporting of the Foundation’s health promotion, education, and patient support programmes.
• Identify gaps, inequities, and disparities in breast cancer information, service delivery and outcomes, with a particular focus on priority populations across Aotearoa, New Zealand.
• Identify and develop new areas where the Foundation can support unmet need and drive progress toward zero deaths from breast cancer.
• Embed equity and Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles across all nursing, education, and outreach programmes.
• Design, implement, and evaluate new programmes that increase the scale, reach, and impact of the Foundation’s work.
• Use data, lived experience, and sector insight to inform programme design and continuous improvement.
• Contribute to the Leadership Team, providing strategic, clinical, and operational leadership.

Leadership, Workforce Capability & Nursing Services

• Provide strong clinical, professional, and people leadership to the Foundation’s breast nursing, community education and support workforce.
• Recruit, induct, coach, and support breast nurses, fostering a high-performing, values-driven culture.
• Manage workforce planning, rostering, performance management, and professional development.
• Develop workforce capability frameworks, promote staff wellbeing, and support succession planning.
• Address performance issues in a timely, supportive, and constructive manner.
• Oversee the management of the Pink Campervan, ensuring safe, effective, and impactful outreach delivery.
• Ensure nursing services align with best-practice standards, professional guidelines, and clinical governance requirements.
• Develop, manage and monitoring the allocated budget, ensuring expenditure aligns with approved plans and organisational policies.

Advice Line, Support Services & Community Engagement

• Lead the management, quality, and growth of the Foundation’s Nurse Servies including the adviceline, support services, myHT guide and community nurse outreach, providing trusted, professional, culturally responsive compassionate support.
• Drive awareness, coordinate care and information across referral and treatment pathways to increase access to care.
• Coordinate, expand, innovate support services and information in response to community needs.
• Oversee moderation of the Foundation’s Facebook online community, myBC, ensuring a safe, supportive, and clinically appropriate environment.

Breast Health Education Resources & Public Information

• Lead the development of the clinical content for breast health education resources, ensuring alignment with the Foundation’s evidence-based positions.
• Identify opportunities to refresh and expand education resources for diverse audiences.
• Contribute and collaborate on the development of education and awareness materials across digital, print, and community channels.
• Contribute clinical content to the Foundation’s newsletter, ensuring accuracy, relevance, and appropriateness.
• Support Foundation promotion, campaigns, and fundraising activities as a clinical and community ambassador.

Professional Education – Continuing Medical Education (CME)

• Lead the development, review, and delivery of breast cancer CME programmes for the professional sector.
• Collaborate closely with General Practitioners, subject matter experts, and the Medical Advisory Committee (MAC).
• Plan, implement, and deliver education modules that support early detection, best-practice care, and improved patient outcomes.
• Evaluate programme effectiveness and incorporate feedback and emerging evidence.

Medical Advisory Committee (MAC) Engagement

• Actively participate in monthly Medical Advisory Committee meetings.
• Work closely with MAC members to align clinical guidance, education, and Foundation positions.
• Take responsibility for minute taking, documentation, and follow-up actions arising from MAC meetings.

Systems, Data, Quality & Clinical Governance

• Provide oversight of the Nurse Support System (NSS), including system upgrades, effective use, data integrity, reporting and security.
• Ensure compliance with privacy, information security, and data protection requirements are upheld across all touch points.
• Define, monitor, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) across nursing, education, and support services.
• Use service data and feedback to drive quality improvement and demonstrate impact to stakeholders and funders.
• Identify and manage clinical, reputational, and operational risks across all services.
• Ensure clear escalation pathways for clinical issues, complaints, and adverse events.

Communications, Public Relations, Advocacy & Sector Influence

• Represent the Foundation at professional conferences, expos, workshops, and community events.
• Will occasionally be required to participate in media interviews, providing credible clinical leadership.
• Contribute clinical expertise to advocacy, policy discussions, and sector submissions related to breast health and breast cancer.
• Support funding proposals, partnerships, and sponsorship discussions through clinical input and programme design.
• Provide clinical leadership during public health issues, service disruptions, or emerging breast cancer concerns.

Maintain Professional Development

• Maintain Annual Practicing Certificate, developing skills and competencies, required for a senior nurse position.

Health & Safety:

• Compliant with relevant workplace law & BCFNZ policies to ensure that activities do not put the Foundation into disrepute.

Dimensions of the Position

Number of positions responsible for: Direct 12 & Contract 5

Key Skills, Experience & Qualifications

Qualifications & Professional Background

• Postgraduate-level academic health qualification with strong clinical experience.
• Extensive experience leading and managing clinical teams.
• Current Nursing Council practicing certificate and able to practice in New Zealand.
• In-depth knowledge of breast cancer, breast health and or cancer care, and the wider healthcare system.
• Confident using Microsoft platforms and other systems.
• Experience communicating detailed information to clinical and non-clinical audiences. Experience as a clinical teacher or educator is an asset.

Leadership & Strategic Capability

• Proven leadership experience within the healthcare and nursing sector.
• Demonstrated strategic thinking with the ability to translate strategy into action.
• Ability to work across the health sector to influence stakeholders and build effective partnerships.
• Highly efficient and organised with strong project management and prioritisation skills.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills, with the ability to engage, influence, and work effectively across Breast Cancer Foundation’s key functions, specifically the Head of Fundraising & Engagement, the Head of Research & Strategic Programmes & Communications to deliver integrated and aligned outcomes.

Education, Communication & Engagement

• Experience developing educational materials using online and technology-based platforms.
• High-level presentation skills with confidence engaging professional, community, and media audiences.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships internally and externally.

Personal Attributes

• Strong commitment to the Foundation’s vision of zero deaths from breast cancer.
• Compassionate, credible, and values-driven leader.
• Collaborative, inclusive, and culturally responsive approach.
• Resilient, adaptable, and comfortable operating in a complex, high-trust environment.
• Maintain and build strong clinical networks.

Working Conditions:

• Hours of work: 40 hours per week.
• WFH available 2 days per week, with office attendance on a Wednesday.
• Must have the right to live and work in New Zealand.

To apply, send a cover letter and CV to ahleenr@bcf.org.nz

Position Description

Location: 8 Cleveland Rd, Parnell, Auckland.

Reporting to:   Strategic Communications & PR Manager

About us:

Established in 1994, Breast Cancer Foundation NZ (BCFNZ) is a not-for-profit, non-government organisation (NGO) that provides breast cancer education and awareness, medical research, training grants, advocacy and support for Kiwis with breast cancer. Our vision is zero deaths from breast cancer. Currently over 3,700 Kiwis are diagnosed with breast cancer and over 650 die from breast cancer every year. BCFNZ’s programmes are evidence-based and overseen by its medical advisory committee.

Join a talented, vibrant and supportive team that values diversity and an inclusive workplace. With conveniently located offices in Parnell, we foster a healthy, positive, fun and encouraging work environment.

United by our goals, we are driven to make a difference to the lives of New Zealanders affected by breast cancer, while pushing for new frontiers in early detection & treatment.

You’ll have exposure to a unique environment with its finger on the pulse of the latest research, and real satisfaction in knowing that your work contributes directly to the wellbeing of the wāhine of Aotearoa New Zealand.

We are family friendly, dog friendly with flexible working hours and hybrid working arrangements.

We are committed to equal employment opportunities and welcome applications from everyone who can meet the requirements of the role.

Key purpose of position:

The Communications & Content Manager is responsible for developing and executing strategic communication plans with engaging content to enhance the Foundation’s brand, reputation, and engagement with key stakeholders.

This role will develop communications, to ensure consistent, clear, and impactful communication of core purpose programmes across all channels, both internally & externally.

Key responsibilities:

Content creation & management:

• Oversee the creation and dissemination of high-quality, compelling content across all core purpose programmes, creating the basis for PR, Fundraising & Marketing to leverage across all platforms & audiences.
• Support the webinar programme, led by the Policy & Advocacy Advisor.
• Develop targeted content about core purpose work for various audiences including patients and clinicians.
• Develop website content – regular, planned updates of existing medical and general content, plus adding new content across BCFNZ, Register and BreastNet sites.
• Support the nurse team in development of digital and print resources for patients.
• Ensure all content aligns with the Foundation's brand voice and messaging.
• Develop and implement messaging frameworks.
• Collaborate with the Marketing & Fundraising teams to integrate communication efforts with the Foundation’s campaigns.
• Work with breast cancer patients and survivors to develop stories and case studies.
• Organise (or assist in organising) and promote events through the year.
• Write and oversee production the Foundation’s annual impact report.
• Write and oversee production of Pink Ribbon Press, a bi-annual printed newsletter mailed to donors and supporters.

Engagement:

• Collaborate with the Strategic Communications & PR Manager to align annual plans & communications initiatives.
• Develop and implement internal communication strategies and plans to keep employees informed and engaged.
• Develop and implement communication reporting calendar for key stakeholders (e.g. donors and fundraisers).
• Support fundraising team to update key donors.
• Develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders to foster support and collaboration.
• Plan and execute occasional stakeholder events, such as conferences, seminars, and community outreach events.
• Occasionally liaise with journalists on media requests as and when required.

Qualifications & experience:

Essential

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in PR, communications, or a related role.
• Proven track record of developing and executing successful communication strategies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a strong attention to detail.
• Ability to think strategically and creatively, with strong problem-solving skills.
• Strong organisational and project management skills.

Desirable

• Knowledge of breast cancer and/or the NZ health landscape.
• Experience working in the not-for-profit, NGO, or community sector.
• Experience working with patient or consumer-led approaches.
• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or related field.

Key internal working relationships:

You will work closely with the following:

• Marketing Team
• Policy & Advocacy Advisor
• Research and Strategic Programmes Team
• Nursing & Community Outreach Team
• Fundraising Team

Key External Working Relationships:

You will work closely with the following:

• People affected by, or at risk of breast cancer.
• Healthcare professionals, researchers and experts in a wide variety of organisations.
• Health bodies, Te Whatu Ora Health NZ, Te Aho o Te Kahu Cancer Control Agency etc.
• Other charities and patient groups.

Working Conditions:

• Hours of work: 32 hours per week.
• WFH available 2 days per week, with office attendance on a Wednesday.
• May require occasional travel for media events, conferences, and stakeholder meetings.
• Ability to work flexible hours as needed to manage PR activities and crisis situations.
• This job description is intended to provide a broad outline of the main responsibilities of the post. 
• You must have the right to live and work in New Zealand.