Summary: Shape Ryman's government relations and public policy engagement, contributing to organizational readiness and long-term planning during a period of significant reform. Highlights: 1. Opportunity to design and establish a new function with high visibility. 2. Influence meaningful reform in the aged care and retirement living sectors. 3. Build capability and contribute to complex cross-agency environments. Play a central role in establishing Ryman’s approach to government relations and policy engagement during a year of significant momentum across the aged care and retirement living sectors. Christchurch preferred, Wellington considered. **About Ryman Healthcare** At Ryman, we believe the measure of a full life is one that gets richer with age. We are a leader in retirement living and aged care, with 49 villages across New Zealand and Australia and a team of more than 7,700 people. Everything we do must be good enough for mum and dad. **Why this role is exciting** This is a rare opportunity to shape a function at Ryman. You will design the structures, frameworks, and ways of working that support our approach to government relations and public policy engagement. You will be stepping into the role during a period of significant reform across the aged care and retirement living landscape in New Zealand. This creates a unique opportunity to contribute to how Ryman understands and responds to regulatory, policy, and system developments. Ryman is also in a period of transformation, which means your work will have strong visibility across senior leaders and will contribute to organisational readiness and long-term planning. This role will appeal to someone who is motivated by building capability, establishing new functions, and contributing to complex cross agency environments. **What you will do** - Lead government relations for New Zealand, with involvement in Australia as required - Build and maintain strong external and internal relationships across aged care and health sector bodies - Monitor health, aged care, retirement living, building and construction policy, regulatory changes, and emerging issues - Prepare policy submissions, consultation responses, briefing papers, and technical content - Support internal and external communications, including key messages, speeches, and media opportunities - Represent Ryman across sector forums, working groups, and regulatory engagements - Work closely with senior leaders to identify political, regulatory, and reputational risks - Establish systems, processes, and metrics for an effective government relations function **What’s in it for you** - A chance to design and establish a new function - A role with visibility across the Executive and Board - Professional development and career progression opportunities - Flexible working arrangements and wellbeing leave - Access to 60 plus retail and wellbeing discounts - Free Christchurch onsite gym and onsite café (Christchurch only) - Supportive, collaborative Corporate Affairs and Communications team **Who you are** - Strong experience in policy, government relations, or strategic communications - Ideally connected within Health New Zealand or Te Whatu Ora, or with health and aged care sector networks - Skilled at writing technical content and clear, compelling communications - Confident operating across complex stakeholder environments - Strong project management capability - Strategic thinker who is also happy to roll up your sleeves - Values kindness, simplicity, and clear communication If you are excited by the opportunity to join an organisation with purpose, influence meaningful reform, and help shape a newly established function, we would love to hear from you. *Applications will be reviewed as they are received and may close early.*
Trademe · HR
Trademe · HR
