Senior Service Development Manager, Gambling Harm at Te Whatu Ora, All Locations

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• All Locations | Permanent Full-time
• Contribute to the development of national-level transformation in gambling harm reduction, shaping services that impact communities across New Zealand.
• Career growth and leadership development – gain experience shaping national health policy and leading complex service change

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 Senior Service Development Manager – Gambling Harm, you will play a pivotal national role in designing, commissioning and implementing new service models that reduce gambling-related harm and eliminate inequities. Working within a life-course team, you will partner closely with Hauora Māori Services, Pacific Health, National Public Health Services and providers to deliver services that are grounded in community voice and kaupapa Māori approaches.

This is a highly influential role where you will contribute to service redesign, manage complex contracts, and steward change across the sector. You will act as a subject matter expert, building trusted relationships with Māori, senior leaders, clinicians and community stakeholders, while translating strategy into tangible improvements in access, quality and outcomes.

About the Team/Service/ Location

You will be part of the National Mentally Well Team within Planning, Funding and Outcomes, contributing to system-wide transformation under Pae Ora | Healthy Futures. This is a national role with flexibility to work from anywhere in New Zealand, offering the opportunity to collaborate across regions while maintaining work-life balance.

About you

As a Senior Service Development Manager, you are a strategic leader and subject matter expert in gambling harm or related public health domains, capable of operating at both system and operational levels. You bring anunderstanding of service commissioning, funding frameworks, and health system design, with the ability to translate policy priorities into practical, evidence-informed service models. You are skilled at navigating complex regulatory environments, influencing multiple stakeholders, and shaping outcomes across government, health providers, and community partners. You excel at building trusted, high-impact relationships with Māori, Pacific, and other priority communities, ensuring that equity and Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles are central to decision-making. With a track record of delivering system-level change, you can lead cross-sector initiatives, negotiate complex agreements, and drive improvements that measurably enhance access, quality, and outcomes for

You will ideally have:

• A relevant graduate and post-graduate qualification, with over 5 years' experience in the addictions, mental health or closely aligned sector
• Proven experience leading service design, commissioning and investment initiatives, including developing business cases, funding models and service agreements
• Strong capability in contract negotiation and provider relationship management, with the confidence to work at pace in complex, regulated environments
• Demonstrated ability to build, maintain and influence trusted relationships with Māori, Pacific peoples, senior leaders, clinicians, providers and government stakeholders
• A deep understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, with the ability to apply its principles meaningfully to service design, commissioning and decision-making
• Experience navigating the machinery of government or operating within large, matrixed organisations
• Highly developed communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas clearly to diverse audiences, including senior leadership and Ministers
• A strong equity lens, critical self-awareness, and a willingness to actively challenge inequity and support Māori- and Pacific-led solutions
• A collaborative leadership style, personal resilience, and the drive to deliver sustainable, long-term outcomes that improve lives

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 22 February 2026.

For further information, please contact Jenita Spencer on Jenita.Spencer@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.