Manager Briefings and Advisory - Business Services - NPHS at Te Whatu Ora, Auckland

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Lead a team responsible for providing high quality advice to Ministers and senior leaders
• Location: Auckland or Wellington
• Permanent, Full-Time

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

We have the opportunity available to join our Business Services team as a Manager, Briefings and Advisory in a permanent, full-time role.

The primary purpose of the role is to provide strategic and operational leadership to a team responsible for providing written advice for Ministers and senior decision-makers. This involves working with senior leaders across the organisation and with other agencies, organising Ministerial events and developing content for Ministers.

About the Team/Service/ Location

The National Public Health Service (NPHS) within Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora, work towards Pae Ora (healthy futures) for all by engaging with the wider determinants that impact people's health, focusing on oranga/wellbeing, prevention, protection, and population-level intervention. We are connected across boundaries to deliver public health services that are nationally planned, regionally delivered and locally tailored.

About you

You are an ‘all-rounder', problem solver and strategic thinker who can navigate complex environments, political contexts and diverse perspectives to deliver high quality work. You can see the big picture and you also have strong attention to detail. You will have extensive experience advising and working with Ministers, strong critical thinking and sound judgement. You are a strong collaborator and communicator, who can work with others to deliver work to tight timeframes. You have excellent time management and organisational skills, while being focused on delivery of consistently high-quality outputs.

Essential skills

• Extensive leadership experience, ideally in the health system or central government agencies
• Minimum 15 years technical experience, and 5 years management experience
• Extensive machinery of government/policy advice experience and strong knowledge of government structures and processes
• Extensive experience writing high quality briefings, aide memoires, Cabinet papers and advice for Ministers, under time constraints
• Experience in applying critical thinking and using sound judgement to develop options and provide advice, particularly in leading complex or contentious work
• Knowledge and skills to deal effectively with complex and politically sensitive situations or topics

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. 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 Friday, 23 January 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Anesha Pillay via Anesha.pillay@tewhatuora.govt.nz

Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change affected employees will be given preference and priority for this position. 

Due to the December holiday period, this advert will remain open for an extended duration. Screening and interviews will commence when the advert closes. We appreciate your patience and look forward to connecting with you in the new year