Portfolio Manager, Maternity, Child and Youth - Planning, Funding and Outcomes at Te Whatu Ora, Manawatu / Whanganui

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Palmerston North, Whanganui or Hawkes Bay Based | Permanent Fulltime
• Be at the Forefront of Service Design and Commissioning Excellence
• Partner Across Communities, Clinicians, and Teams to Make a Difference

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 Portfolio Manager, you will play a pivotal role in shaping how community health services are planned, funded, and delivered across your portfolio. You will lead and support the development of service and programme strategies that respond to population needs, improve service performance, and strengthen integration across the health system. Each day brings new opportunities to apply your technical expertise, strategic thinking, and partnership skills—whether designing new models of care, procuring services, managing provider performance, or guiding investment decisions.

You will work collaboratively with Senior Portfolio Managers, System Design Managers, Project Managers, providers, clinicians, and communities to create service models that are effective, equitable, sustainable, and aligned with Health New Zealand's strategic direction. This role allows you to influence system-level change and contribute to better health outcomes for all New Zealanders.

About the Team/Service/ Location

You will be part of a highly collaborative Planning, Funding and Outcomes (PFO) team that works across national, regional, and local levels to deliver commissioning priorities. The team is committed to innovation, equity, and partnership—working closely with Hauora Māori Services, Pacific Health, clinical teams, and community stakeholders to design services that reflect the needs and aspirations of the people we serve.

The Portfolio Manager role supports integrated planning and funding approaches, ensuring communities have access to high-quality, culturally responsive health services, no matter where they live.

About you

You are a strategic thinker and systems leader, capable of translating complex health system challenges into actionable, evidence-informed solutions. You combine technical expertise in commissioning and service planning with strong leadership and partnership skills, enabling you to influence across multiple levels of the organisation and the wider health sector. You thrive in complex, dynamic environments, bringing clarity, rigor, and a collaborative approach to programme and service development. Your work directly shapes the design, funding, and delivery of health services, improving outcomes for communities while ensuring equity, cultural responsiveness, and alignment with national health priorities.

• Relevant tertiary qualification and 3–5+ years' experience in health planning, funding, commissioning, or system strategy within complex environments.
• Proven end-to-end commissioning expertise – from service design and investment planning through to procurement, contracting, and provider performance management.
• Strong analytical capability, with the ability to interpret data, assess service performance, and translate insights into clear, evidence-based recommendations.
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills, including the ability to produce high-quality reports, business cases, and strategic advice for senior leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to build trusted partnerships with clinicians, iwi and Māori partners, Pacific communities, consumers, providers, and government agencies
• Sound political acumen and understanding of machinery of government, enabling effective navigation of Ministerial, sector, and organisational expectations.
• Proven programme and project management skills, ensuring complex work programmes are delivered on time, on budget, and to a high standard.
• Commitment to equity and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, with experience embedding Māori and Pacific perspectives into planning, commissioning, and service design.
• Adaptive, improvement-focused mindset, with the ability to test new approaches, respond to emerging issues, and drive continuous system improvement.

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 Tuesday, 24 February 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.