Manager Strategy & Planning at Te Whatu Ora, All Locations

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Work from where you are
• 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 

The role supports the Executive Leadership Team and the Board to shape Health NZ's strategic direction and ensure healthcare services evolve sustainably. It contributes to setting organisational priorities, developing medium‑term strategies and operational plans, and producing key statutory planning documents.

The position coordinates planning activity across the organisation, provides input into divisional and regional plans, and manages relationships with external agencies. It also leads the management and oversight of the Nationwide Services Framework to support effective planning, commissioning, service delivery, and performance analysis.

About you 

To be successful in this role, you will have the following:

• Graduate or postgraduate qualifications.
• 5–10 years' organisational planning experience (public sector preferred).
• 3+ years' management experience.
• Commitment to improving the health system and strong people‑leadership capability.
• Executive‑level experience in large, complex public environments.
• Experience managing large public budgets and working with sensitive information.
• Strong stakeholder management and ability to lead diverse teams through change.
• Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and how to apply its principles.

Desired

• Health‑sector planning experience.
• Ability to lead people and projects through uncertainty.
• Strong performance analysis and decision‑making skills.
• Strategic thinking and ability to build an engaged workforce.
• Inclusive leadership and strong communication skills.

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 11:59PM Sunday 15 February 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.