Senior Project Manager Diagnostics and Optimal Care at Te Whatu Ora, All Locations

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Work from anywhere in New Zealand with a hybrid model | Permanent, full-time role
• Lead nationally significant projects that improve access to diagnostics services
• Join a collaborative and future-focused team driving innovation, and workforce development

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 Project Manager – Diagnostics Improvement Programme, you will lead the planning, implementation, and delivery of key national initiatives designed to improve access to diagnostics services across Aotearoa New Zealand. This includes programmes supporting radiology, cardiology, colonoscopy, and gynaecology diagnostics services.

You will work across national and regional teams to deliver complex, multi-workstream projects focused on increasing diagnostic capacity, reducing waitlists, strengthening workforce capability, introducing digital and technology improvements, and standardising national processes and procedures. This is a highly collaborative role where you will partner with clinical leaders, programme teams, regional delivery leads, and service providers to ensure successful implementation and sustainable outcomes.

About the Team and Location

You will join a nationally connected team committed to improving planned care outcomes and equitable access to healthcare services across New Zealand. The Diagnostics Improvement Programme works closely with clinical networks, operational leaders, and regional teams to support locally led, regionally supported, and nationally enabled delivery.

We're a collaborative, supportive team that genuinely enjoys what we do. We value curiosity, initiative, and people who bring fresh ideas and a willingness to learn. You'll have the opportunity to work with colleagues from across Aotearoa, build strong relationships, and contribute to work that makes a real difference for patients and whānau.

This role offers the opportunity to work with stakeholders across the country in a collaborative, fast-paced, and purpose-driven environment.

About you

You will be an experienced project management professional with a strong track record delivering complex programmes, ideally within health or public sector environments. You will bring exceptional stakeholder engagement skills, sound judgement, and the ability to navigate ambiguity while maintaining a strong focus on outcomes and equity. You will also be confident working across digital, data, and technology-enabled projects, with the ability to support implementation of systems, reporting, and service improvement initiatives.

You are someone who enjoys building relationships, solving problems, and keeping momentum when projects become challenging. You can move comfortably between strategic conversations and practical delivery, and you know how to keep multiple workstreams moving without losing sight of the bigger picture.

You will bring:

• 5+ years' experience in project management, ideally within health or the public sector
• Experience delivering complex, multi-workstream programmes at a national or regional level
• Strong relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills
• Experience implementing change and embedding sustainable service delivery improvements
• Experience working with digital systems, data reporting, analytics, and technology-enabled projects
• Strong project planning and reporting capability, including risk, governance, and resource management
• Confidence using project management tools and Microsoft Office applications including Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and project scheduling platforms
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to engage senior leaders and clinical stakeholders
• A demonstrated understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its application in healthcare delivery
• The ability to balance competing priorities and work effectively in complex environments
• A proactive, collaborative, and solutions-focused approach to delivery

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, 18 June 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.