System Design Manager Maternity, Child and Youth - Planning, Funding and Outcomes at Te Whatu Ora, Wellington

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Central Region Based | Permanent Full-time
• Influence strategy and adoption across regional and national stakeholders
• Inspire, mentor, and build high-performing teams

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 System Design Manager, you will lead the design and implementation of integrated health services across your regional portfolio, translating complex system and service data into actionable strategies that improve outcomes for communities. On a typical day, you will be partnering with clinicians, iwi, community groups, and sector stakeholders to co-design innovative service models, providing expert guidance on commissioning decisions, and shaping the strategic direction of your portfolio. This is a unique opportunity to influence health policy at both regional and national levels, driving change that directly impacts the wellbeing of New Zealanders.

You will also mentor and support colleagues in system and service design, ensuring regional consistency in planning, implementation, and monitoring outcomes. Your leadership will be central to fostering collaboration across Health NZ teams, providers, and communities, while embedding evidence-based best practices into all aspects of service delivery.

About the Team/Service/ Location

You will join a high-performing, multidisciplinary team within Health New Zealand, focused on delivering equitable, integrated, and innovative health services. The team works closely with regional funding and commissioning units, clinical leaders, and community partners to ensure services meet the needs of diverse populations. The role can be based anywhere across the Central region; Wellinton, Hutt Valley, Wairarapa, Hawkes Bay, MidCentral or Whanganui, with opportunities to engage at both regional and national forums to influence system-wide health strategies.

About you

You bring a combination of strategic vision, technical expertise, and leadership presence to transform health systems and service delivery. You are skilled at navigating complex projects, building strong partnerships, and driving measurable outcomes.

• Expert system and service design: Lead transformative health service redesign initiatives that improve outcomes and drive regional consistency.
• Autonomous project leadership: Deliver complex, high-stakes projects on time, within scope, and aligned to strategic priorities.
• Influential leadership: Mentor teams, inspire confidence, and foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
• Advanced analytical and technical skills: Apply service design thinking, systems methodologies, and data-driven insights to guide strategic decision-making.
• Culturally informed partnership: Engage Māori, Pacific, and diverse communities to co-design services that are equitable, accessible, and effective.
• Strategic stakeholder influence: Shape policy and drive adoption of innovative service models across regional, national, and community stakeholders.
• Change leadership: Implement change with confidence, managing risk, communication, and adoption to ensure lasting impact.

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, 25 January 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.