Project Lead at Te Whatu Ora, Manawatu / Whanganui

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's Regional Hospital Redevelopment Programme  is transforming the future of regional hospital infrastructure, addressing ageing facilities, seismic resilience, growing demand and the need for modern, fit-for-purpose clinical environments.  As Operational Commissioning Lead,  Palmerston North you will work at the intersection of clinical service delivery and major infrastructure development, collaborating with clinical leaders, operational teams, project delivery specialists and national infrastructure teams.

Palmerston North Hospital –: A major redevelopment to modernise critical hospital infrastructure, improve the delivery of acute and specialist services, and support the growing healthcare needs of the wider MidCentral region. Planning includes a new Acute Services Building, alongside early investments to address critical infrastructure and enabling works.

Working in partnership with infrastructure, digital and operational leaders, you will lead commissioning, workforce transition and migration planning across the project lifecycle. This includes bringing together clinical and operational input, overseeing change, training and resourcing requirements, and ensuring delivery remains aligned with national direction, organisational policy and agreed standards.

You will provide strategic advice and clear reporting to senior leaders and governance groups, maintain oversight of risks and dependencies, and establish measures to track benefits and outcomes. Operating in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment, you will build alignment across diverse groups and help ensure projects deliver sustainable, equitable and future-focused health services.

.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.

Giving support, oversight and assurance across asset management, asset maintenace projects and programmes, the team understand that compliant,  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.

Operational commissioning plays a critical role in ensuring infrastructure investments are successfully translated into safe, effective and fully operational health services. The team works across clinical, operational, workforce, infrastructure and digital areas to connect project delivery with wider health system priorities.

About you

You are an experienced leader who can provide clarity, direction and assurance across complex health infrastructure or clinical transformation programmes. You understand how infrastructure, people, services and technology need to come together to support a successful transition into a new or significantly changed healthcare environment.

You bring sound judgement and strong political awareness, with the confidence to work with senior leaders, clinical networks, governance groups and external partners. You can navigate competing priorities, manage complex risks and turn strategic direction into coordinated, practical delivery.

Collaborative and outcomes-focused, you build trusted relationships and create alignment across diverse stakeholders. You can communicate complex information clearly, maintain momentum through change and keep patient, whānau and community outcomes at the centre of decision-making.

You will bring:

• At least five years' senior leadership experience supporting clinical transformation or health infrastructure projects with a capital value of more than $100 million, or significant leadership experience in a clinical operational, service delivery or management role.
• Strong knowledge of the New Zealand health sector and/or health design.
• A relevant degree or postgraduate qualification in health leadership and management, healthcare administration or a related discipline.
• Project management certification or equivalent relevant experience.
• Experience leading complex commissioning, workforce transition, migration or operational readiness activity.
• A strong understanding of clinical service environments and the ability to engage credibly with clinical leaders and networks.
• Experience aligning local delivery with national strategy, policy and standards.
• Proven capability in identifying, managing and monitoring complex operational and project risks, including safety, service continuity and delivery risks.
• Experience applying change management approaches in complex environments.
• Strong financial management and commercial or contractual acumen.

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 27th November 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.