Group Manager Health Design Guidance and Assurance at Te Whatu Ora, All Locations

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

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 the Group Manager Health Design Guidance and Assurance - Reporting to the Head of Health Facility Planning and Commissioning, you will provide strategic leadership for the national Design Guidance & Assurance function, driving consistency, quality, and  value across Health New Zealand's infrastructure portfolio.

You will lead the development of national health facility design  guidance frameworks, assurance methodologies, and governance processes that support safe, effective, and future focused healthcare environments. Working across planning, clinical, operational, digital, engineering, and project delivery teams, you'll provide expert advice on major infrastructure investments and ensure facility design outcomes align with models of care, operational requirements, and national priorities.

This role offers a rare opportunity to influence healthcare infrastructure on a national scale, shaping the standards and frameworks that will support health facilities for generations to come.

About the Team/Service/Location

The IIG team are focused on delivering high impact infrastructure investments that support the transformation of New Zealand's health system.

Providing advisory services, ,guidance  and assurance across projects and programmes, the team understand that safe, fit for purpose health facilities, sites and equipment are essential for a well-functioning health system that improves the health of all New Zealanders.

About you

You are a strategic leader with deep expertise in healthcare design, health infrastructure, architecture, engineering, or a related field, and you bring a strong understanding of how the built environment influences the delivery of healthcare services. You have successfully led complex programmes, developed trusted relationships across diverse stakeholder groups, and are comfortable operating at both a strategic and operational level.

Working with a range of stakeholders, ou know  how to bring people together around a common vision and drive meaningful outcomes through collaboration. Your ability to navigate complexity, provide sound advice, and balance competing priorities enables you to make informed decisions that support long term organisational success.

Most importantly, you are passionate about improving healthcare outcomes and creating environments that support patients, whānau, and healthcare professionals. You are motivated by the opportunity to shape national guidance , influence major infrastructure programmes, and leave a lasting legacy across New Zealand's health system.

You Will Bring

• A relevant tertiary qualification in architecture, engineering, healthcare design, health planning, or a related discipline
• Significant leadership experience within healthcare planning, healthcare design, health infrastructure, design assurance, or a comparable environment
• Strong understanding of health facility requirements, healthcare delivery models, and the relationship between clinical outcomes and design
• Experience developing and implementing design standards, frameworks, assurance processes, or governance approaches
• Proven experience supporting executive and governance decision-making on complex or large-scale infrastructure investments
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, including experience working across government, clinical, operational, and infrastructure environments
• Successful people leadership experience with a track record of building capability and leading high-performing teams
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to distil complex issues and provide clear, compelling advice
• Demonstrated strategic thinking, sound judgement, and the ability to lead through change and ambiguity

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.

How to Apply

To apply please click “apply now.”  All applications must be submitted through our online careers' portal by 15th September 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Shannon Elder at shannon.elder@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert.