Senior Service Development Manager - Planning, Funding and Outcomes at Te Whatu Ora, All Locations

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Work from anywhere in New Zealand | Permanent, Full-Time Role
• Partner with government, providers, and communities at a senior level
• Shape services that improve health and equity for older New Zealanders.

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 a Senior Service Development Manager – Ageing Well, you will contribute to the design and delivery of innovative, equitable health services for older people across Aotearoa. Working at a national level, you'll partner closely with Hauora Māori, Pacific teams, providers, clinicians, and communities to develop new models of care and funding that improve access, outcomes, and system performance. This is a highly influential role where your expertise will help shape strategic direction, inform investment decisions, and ensure services are responsive to the needs of whānau and priority populations.

In your day-to-day work, you'll act as a key subject matter expert within the Ageing Well life course team—building trusted relationships, supporting service and funding reviews, negotiating contracts, and guiding complex system change. You'll bring together insights, data, and community voice to co-design solutions that drive equity and deliver on Pae Ora (Healthy Futures). This is a unique opportunity to lead meaningful transformation and make a lasting impact on the health and wellbeing of older New Zealanders.

About the Team/Service/ Location

You will be part of the National Ageing Well life course team, working within a collaborative, purpose-driven environment focused on improving outcomes for older people. The team partners across Health NZ, including Hauora Māori, Pacific Health, and regional commissioning teams, to deliver national priorities and system transformation. This role offers the opportunity to work at scale, influence across sectors, and contribute to a health system grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi, equity, and community partnership.

About you

You are a strategic, influential leader with expertise in health service commissioning, funding, and system design. You combine strong analytical capability with relationship leadership, and you are driven by achieving equitable outcomes.

• Senior-level experience in health service commissioning, including service design, procurement, contract negotiation, and provider management
• Ability to contribute to complex programmes of work, including service redesign, change management, and implementation at a national or system level
• Stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with experience working in partnership with Māori, Pacific, government agencies, and providers
• Demonstrated experience, with a strong commitment to equity and culturally safe approaches, to service design and delivery
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing briefings, reports, and advice for senior leaders, Boards, and Ministers
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving ability, with the capacity to navigate ambiguity and align short-term actions with long-term system outcomes
• Understanding of governance processes, and operating effectively within the machinery of government
• Familiarity with continuous improvement methodologies, innovation practices, and leading adaptive, agile ways of working

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 Thursday, 23 April 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.