Senior Contract Manager - Planning, Funding & Outcomes at Te Whatu Ora, All Locations

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Permanent Full-time role based anywhere across Aotearoa
• Work in a complex, high-impact environment supporting system transformation and modern contracting practice
• Play a key role in shaping and strengthening national and regional health contracts that directly enable services for communities across Aotearoa

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 Senior Contract Manager, you will play a pivotal role in enabling high-quality, consistent and well-governed contractual arrangements across Health NZ's Planning, Funding and Outcomes (PFO) function, either regionally or nationally.

You will lead and support the full contracting lifecycle—ensuring robust contract development, negotiation, implementation and performance monitoring. This includes managing complex contract creation and uplift processes, supporting service development managers with negotiations, and contributing to the drafting and refinement of service specifications.

A key part of your role will be strengthening contract integrity and performance across the system. You will monitor contractual compliance, identify and manage risk, support provider performance management, and oversee key processes such as fee notifications, payment queries, provider approvals, and agreement changes. You will also contribute to transformation programmes, including the ongoing development of contract systems and lifecycle management improvements.

This is a highly collaborative role where you will mentor others, provide technical expertise, and ensure contractual processes are applied consistently, transparently, and in line with policy and delegations.

About the Team

You will be part of a nationally connected contracting and commissioning environment within Health NZ, working alongside service development, procurement, and operational teams to deliver high-quality outcomes for communities across Aotearoa.

The team plays a critical role in enabling services through effective contracting, supporting system transformation, and ensuring public funds are used effectively and transparently. We work closely with colleagues across Hauora Māori and Pacific Health to ensure equity is embedded in commissioning and contracting decisions.

Collaboration, continuous improvement, and strong relationships are at the heart of how we work. You will be supported by experienced peers while contributing to a broader “team of teams” approach across regions and national programmes.

About you

You are an experienced contract management professional who thrives in complex, high-stakes environments and brings strong technical expertise alongside sound judgement.

You will bring:

• 5–10 years' experience in contract management or a closely related discipline
• Strong knowledge of contract frameworks, procurement principles, and service delivery environments (ideally within the health sector)
• Experience working with legislation-driven processes and managing complex contractual arrangements
• Well-developed analytical and systems thinking skills, with confidence working across databases and contract management systems
• The ability to influence and negotiate effectively using clear, evidence-based reasoning
• High levels of integrity, discretion, and professionalism when managing sensitive information

You will also demonstrate a strong commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and equity and ideally bring experience working in partnership with Māori and Pacific peoples and organisations.

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 career's portal by 11:59PM Sunday 3 May 2026. For further information, please contact Lynda Francis on lynda.francis@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.