Senior Portfolio Manager, Older Persons, Central at Te Whatu Ora, Wairarapa

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Permanent, full-time position based in our Central region.
• Have strategic oversight of a portfolio of health services and programmes, with a strong focus on system and service redesign, integration, and equity.
• This is a highly influential role, operating across complex, politically sensitive environments and contributing directly to regional and national health system reform.

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 Senior Portfolio Manager, you will have strategic oversight of a portfolio of health services and programmes, with a strong focus on system and service redesign, integration, and equity. You will lead and influence commissioning decisions that align with national and regional priorities, ensuring services deliver sustainable value and improved outcomes for older people.

Working closely with Māori, providers, clinicians, consumers and sector partners, you will plan, procure, manage and monitor services across the portfolio. You will also play a critical role in leading service design approaches in partnership with Planning, Funding and Improvement teams, ensuring work reflects Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations and a strong equity focus.

Key aspects of the role include:

• Leading portfolio strategy, planning and implementation to drive system and service redesign
• Providing senior strategic advice and acting as a subject matter expert for commissioning decisions
• Leading service and programme design, including service reviews, investment and disinvestment
• Overseeing contract negotiation, performance monitoring and provider relationships
• Driving integration across services and agencies to improve access, pathways and outcomes
• Producing high-quality business cases, reports and advice for senior leaders and governance groups
• Providing leadership, mentorship and guidance to portfolio and project managers

This is a highly influential role, operating across complex, politically sensitive environments and contributing directly to regional and national health system reform.

About you

You are an experienced senior leader with deep expertise in planning, funding and commissioning within complex health or public sector environments. You bring strong systems thinking, political acumen and a demonstrated commitment to improving equity and outcomes for older people.

You will have:

• Relevant graduate and post-graduate qualifications
• Extensive experience (typically 5–10+ years) leading service and investment strategy development and delivery, including full commissioning of services
• Demonstrated experience in service design and system improvement across multiple stakeholders
• Strong programme and portfolio management capability, including change management
• Proven experience managing complex provider relationships and large commissioning portfolios
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, including senior-level advice
• A strong understanding of the machinery of government processes
• Demonstrated commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and advancing Māori health equity

You will also bring strong personal leadership, resilience and a collaborative approach, with a clear drive to deliver meaningful outcomes for communities.

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 Sunday 15 February 2026. For further information, please contact Nicole Rickard on Nicole.Rickard@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.