Design Assurance Manager 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 Design Assurance Manager, you will lead the delivery of design assurance, governance and multi-disciplinary technical oversight activities across nationally led hospital and health infrastructure programmes. Reporting to the Head of Engineering and Design, you will help ensure the consistent delivery of safe, compliant, high-quality and operationally effective design outcomes across Health New Zealand's infrastructure portfolio.

This role provides functional leadership and assurance oversight across multiple programmes and projects, supporting project delivery teams to achieve consistent outcomes while aligning with organisational standards, governance requirements and strategic objectives. You will oversee design multi-disciplinary assurance processes, technical reviews, governance frameworks and standardisation initiatives that strengthen infrastructure delivery across the portfolio.

Working closely with Project Directors, Design Managers, consultants and contractors, you will provide expert advice on complex design, integration and assurance matters,  support portfolio-wide design reviews, drive continuous improvement initiatives and help embed repeatable design solutions, lessons learned and Modern Methods of Construction across major capital programmes.

About the Team/Service/Location

The Infrastructure and Investment Group (IIG) is focused on delivering high-impact infrastructure investment that supports the transformation of New Zealand's health system.

Providing support, oversight and assurance across projects and programmes, the group recognises that safe, fit-for-purpose health facilities, sites and equipment are essential to a well-functioning health system. This is a national role, working across project, regional and national teams and with a broad range of clinical, operational and technical stakeholders.

About you

You are an experienced design leader with a strong background in design governance, multi-disciplinary assurance and technical oversight across complex infrastructure programmes. You have successfully worked across large-scale capital building projects and can confidently guide project teams, technical specialists and stakeholders through complex design challenges while maintaining a focus on quality, compliance and operational outcomes.

You bring a strategic mindset and can quickly understand how design decisions impact project delivery, operational requirements and whole-of-life asset performance. Comfortable influencing at senior levels, you can balance technical detail with practical decision-making and build trusted relationships across diverse stakeholder groups.

Your leadership style is collaborative, pragmatic and improvement focused. You enjoy mentoring others, strengthening capability and supporting consistent approaches across programmes and portfolios. You are passionate about delivering infrastructure that supports better health outcomes for New Zealanders.

You Will Bring

• A degree in architecture, engineering or a related design discipline.
• Demonstrated experience providing governance, assurance and technical oversight across complex multi-disciplinary building infrastructure programmes or portfolios.
• Proven experience managing design for large-scale building infrastructure projects, preferably within healthcare or similarly complex environments.
• Proven experience in the management of design in the following disciplines: architecture, structural engineering, civil engineering, electrical and mechanical engineering, fire engineering, environmental engineering and sustainability
• Strong knowledge of design standards, compliance requirements and regulatory frameworks.
• Experience working across Design and Construct, Construct Only and Collaborative delivery models.
• Experience developing and managing Principal's Requirements for Design & Construct projects.
• Demonstrated capability managing design peer reviews, technical advisory services and independent assurance contracts.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, communication and leadership skills.
• Familiarity with BIM and digital design tools.
• Experience embedding standardisation, repeatable design solutions and Modern Methods of Construction initiatives.
• An understanding of how design governance supports major capital programmes and strategic infrastructure investment.

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 serve our community.

How to Apply

To apply, please click “apply now.” All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal by 12th October 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.