Principal Service Development Manager, Planned Care - Planning, Funding and Outcomes at Te Whatu Ora, All Locations

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Permanent, full-time position based anywhere in New Zealand
• Lead national service development to improve access, equity and outcomes in planned care
• Shape and deliver new models of planned care that improve access and outcomes for communities across Aotearoa
• Lead commissioning, service design and investment planning at a national scale
• Partner closely with Hauora Māori, providers and sector leaders to embed equity and Te Tiriti o Waitangi in action

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

As the Principal Service Development Manager – Planned Care, you will be a senior member of a life course team within the Living Well portfolio, leading the development and implementation of new models of service delivery and funding arrangements to improve planned care outcomes.  The primary focus will be on the Enhanced Primary and Community Care programme and pathology services.

You will act as the primary subject matter expert for your life course area, holding trusted relationships with Māori, senior sector leaders, clinicians, providers and communities. Working in close partnership with Hauora Māori, Pacific Health, regional teams and national colleagues, you will lead service and funding reviews, design new service models, and steward system-wide change that improves access and equity — particularly for Māori and other priority populations.

This role has a strong commissioning focus. You will lead investment strategy development, business cases, procurement processes and contract negotiations, ensuring services are high quality, affordable and aligned to national priorities. You will also provide oversight of provider performance, quality and risk, and lead change processes resulting from service redesign.

This is a high-impact role where you will influence national direction, support Te Pae Tata and Budget initiatives, and help deliver a planned care system that is equitable, responsive and future-focused.

About you

You are a highly experienced senior leader with deep expertise in commissioning, service design and system improvement within complex environments. You bring strong strategic thinking, cultural competence and the ability to influence across diverse stakeholders.

To succeed in this role, you will have:

• A relevant tertiary or professional qualification
• More than 10 years' experience in commissioning across varied and complex environments
• Demonstrated senior-level experience leading service and investment strategy development and delivery
• Strong experience in health service funding, procurement and provider management
• Proven experience leading service design and large-scale change initiatives
• Demonstrated experience implementing Te Tiriti o Waitangi in action and advancing Māori health equity
• Proven ability to build and maintain senior relationships with Māori, Pacific and sector partners
• Strong conceptual and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to anticipate long-term impacts
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including experience advising senior leaders, Boards and Ministers
• Experience operating within the machinery of government or regulated environments
• Experience with agile methodologies and continuous improvement practices
• Experience leading organisational transformation or complex change programmes

You are self-aware, values-led and resilient, with a strong drive to deliver meaningful outcomes and create lasting system improvement.

Working at 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 11:59PM Sunday 25 January 2026. For further information, please contact Nicole Rickard on Nicole.Rickard@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz.

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

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process before the closing date of this advert.