Principal Service Development Manager - Planning, Funding and Outcomes (FIXED TERM) at Te Whatu Ora, All Locations

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Open to all Locations but Wellington Based preferred, Fixed Term Opportunity until 30 June 27 with a hybrid model – 3 days in the office
• Influence at the highest levels while shaping future primary care services and system transformation
• Enjoy a high-impact leadership role with real purpose, strong collaboration, and career growth opportunities

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 Principal Service Development Manager, you will lead the design, development, and delivery of key primary care initiatives across Aotearoa New Zealand, with a focus on general practice and community pharmacy. You'll translate national strategy into practical, high-impact services—working across organisations, regions, and disciplines to ensure services are accessible, effective, and equitable.

In a typical day, you'll be engaging with senior sector leaders, clinicians, and providers, shaping service models, negotiating contracts, and guiding complex projects from concept through to implementation. You'll use data and insights to identify gaps, drive improvements, and ensure services evolve to meet changing population needs. This is a highly influential role where you'll help steer system-wide change and directly contribute to better health outcomes for communities.

About the Team/Service/Location
You will be part of the Primary Care team within Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora, working collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation and alongside external partners including providers, government agencies, and community stakeholders. The team is committed to delivering high-quality, equitable primary care services nationwide, with a strong focus on partnership with Māori and Pacific communities.

About you

You are a strategic, experienced, and values-driven leader with a strong track record in commissioning and delivering health services at scale. You are comfortable operating in complex environments, influencing at senior levels, and leading meaningful system change that improves outcomes for communities.

• A relevant tertiary or professional qualification, with at least 10 years' experience in commissioning across diverse or complex health system settings
• Proven leadership in service design, investment planning, funding, procurement, and provider management, with the ability to deliver high-quality, sustainable service models
• Strong relationship management and influencing skills, with demonstrated experience working in partnership with Māori and Pacific stakeholders, clinicians, providers, and government agencies
• Experience leading and coordinating complex programmes or projects, including managing competing priorities, risks, and dependencies across multiple stakeholders
• Ability to think strategically while maintaining operational responsiveness, using data and insights (including equity analysis) to identify gaps and drive continuous improvement
• Strong communication skills, with confidence presenting complex information clearly to senior leaders, governance groups, and Ministers
• Demonstrated understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the ability to apply its principles in practice to support Māori health gain and equitable outcomes
• Resilient and adaptable, with the ability to navigate ambiguity, manage sensitive conversations, and lead through change with professionalism and integrity

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, 14 May 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.