Stakeholder Engagement Lead 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

Health New Zealand is delivering one of the country's largest and most complex infrastructure investment programmes. We are looking for a strategic and commercially aware Stakeholder Engagement Lead to help strengthen how we engage with stakeholders, partners, suppliers and the infrastructure market.

 Reporting to the Head of Office, National Director Infrastructure, this is a role that works across the business. You will partner with leaders, project teams and enabling functions to support a more consistent, coordinated and strategic approach to engagement across our infrastructure portfolio.

 This role is about helping Health NZ operate as an intelligent client at scale.

You will identify and embed good practice, strengthen capability across the organisation, support leaders in high-value stakeholder discussions, and help create greater consistency in how we engage with communities, the health sector, delivery partners and the infrastructure market.

 You will also play a key role in helping the Infrastructure & Investment Group identify opportunities to engage more effectively with the construction and infrastructure sector, strengthening market understanding, relationships and confidence in Health NZ's infrastructure programme.

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 engagement and relationship leader who brings the ability to develop and embed consistent approaches to stakeholder engagement across large, diverse organisations, ensuring teams are aligned, connected and working towards common goals.

Drawing on your experience across major projects and programmes, you can identify, capture and share good practice, helping teams learn from one another and apply successful approaches consistently. You are skilled at supporting senior leaders to prepare for high value stakeholder conversations, industry forums and strategic engagements, providing sound advice and practical guidance that builds confidence and credibility.

You know how to navigate complex stakeholder environments and work alongside project and programme teams to strengthen relationships with consultants, contractors, suppliers and the wider infrastructure sector. With a strong focus on collaboration and continuous improvement, you identify opportunities to enhance engagement practices, build trust and confidence in infrastructure programmes, and improve how organisations connect with their stakeholders.

You are comfortable developing practical tools, frameworks and guidance that promote consistency, reduce duplication and support better ways of working. A natural connector, you bring people together across teams and functions to share lessons learned, leverage successful approaches and present a coordinated and professional face to external stakeholders. You also recognise opportunities to showcase achievements and strengthen market presence through industry forums, conferences, awards programmes and other engagement activities that highlight the impact of major infrastructure investment.

You will bring

• Significant experience in stakeholder engagement, public affairs, infrastructure, government, commercial and/ or related environments.
• Exceptional relationship management and influencing skills.
• Experience working across large, complex organisations and diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strong judgement, commercial awareness and political nous.
• The ability to work strategically while remaining practical and outcome focused.
• Experience supporting senior leaders and executives in high-profile stakeholder environments.
• A track record of building capability, creating consistency and driving organisational improvement.

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 21st 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.