Planning and Delivery Manager - Health System Readiness - Protection - NPHS at Te Whatu Ora, All Locations

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Lead a portfolio of work to make a difference within NPHS's Protection directorate.
• Location: National or any regional NPHS office location
• Permanent, Full-Time

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is the country's largest employer, delivering universal public healthcare to 5 million New Zealanders.

We provide essential hospital, specialist, and community health services across 80+ locations from large urban centres to rural towns and remote communities. 

Our goal is to improve health outcomes for all New Zealanders by delivering equitable, accessible and innovative care. 

About the Role

We have a full time, permanent opportunity available for Planning and Delivery Managers – Health System Readiness. Reporting to the Group Manager, Communicable Disease, this role sits within the Protection Directorate of National Public Health Service.

In this role, you will translate Health Protection strategy into deliverable plans and programmes for the National Public Health Service and Health New Zealand, with particular emphasis on communicable disease management and control, pandemic planning and wider outbreak control, as well as an all- hazards approach to support positive outcomes.

They will lead a portfolio of initiatives focused on enhancing the health system's ability to prevent, prepare for, and respond to communicable disease threats of public health significance.

About the Team/Service/ Location

The NPHS within Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora, work towards Pae Ora (healthy futures) for all by engaging with the wider determinants that impact people's health, focusing on oranga/wellbeing, prevention, protection, and population-level intervention. We are connected across boundaries to deliver public health services that are nationally planned, regionally delivered and locally tailored.

About you

Our ideal candidate will bring with them proven experience in leading portfolio relationships. You can blend customer needs, health policy and strategy together to create actionable work programmes.  You will have the ability to develop and coordinate the delivery of a portfolio of projects ensuring that they meet the needs of our stakeholder groups. You will have previous experience in contract negotiation and management. You will provide strategic oversight, monitor progress, and report on the impact of initiatives. You will model good team player behaviours with an approach that is responsive to business and stakeholder needs. You are open to trying new ideas, learn quickly and adapt fast. You will be able to build and maintain both internal and external stakeholder relationships.

Our Preferred candidate will be:

• Experienced in programme/portfolio management in health, or public sector strategy
• Able to show significant contract negotiation and management expertise
• A relationship leader who values stakeholder outcomes
• Able to demonstrate the ability to lead programmes of work in complex environments
• Experienced in designing or leading initiatives that strengthen system coordination
• Able to show leadership experience, including designing and managing a portfolio of work and resources
• In possession of a tertiary qualification in public health, health systems, public policy or a related discipline or equivalent experience

Working for Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.  

How to Apply

To apply please click “apply now”. All applications must be submitted through our online careers' portal by Friday, 20 March 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Anesha Pillay via Anesha.pillay@tewhatuora.govt.nz

Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change affected employees will be given preference and priority for this position.