Portfolio Manager - Workforce Planning & Development at Te Whatu Ora, Wellington

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Wellington | Permanent, Full-time

Lead national contract management and provider performance across the health workforce

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is Aotearoa New Zealand's largest employer, delivering healthcare services to over 5 million people. As part of the Pae Ora – Healthy Futures reforms, we are focused on strengthening workforce capability and ensuring sustainable, high-quality health services for the future.

About the Role

This role is fundamentally focused on end-to-end contract management of a national portfolio of workforce education and training services.

As a Portfolio Manager, you will take ownership of contracts across their full lifecycle—from procurement and negotiation through to performance monitoring, reporting and ongoing provider management.

You'll ensure contracts deliver value for money, strong performance outcomes, and alignment with workforce priorities, while maintaining compliance with government procurement rules and organisational policy.

Key aspects of the role include:

• Leading contract procurement, negotiation, renewals, and variations
• Managing provider relationships and holding suppliers accountable to deliverables
• Overseeing contract performance, reporting, and risk management
• Ensuring compliance with New Zealand Government Procurement Rules
• Providing contractual advice and insight to support workforce planning decisions
• Supporting service improvements and contributing to work programmes across the function

While you will contribute to broader planning and projects, the core focus of this role is contract oversight, performance, and delivery through external providers.

About You

You're an experienced contract or commercial manager who is confident working across complex stakeholder environments and managing supplier performance.

You'll bring:

• Proven experience in contract management, procurement, and negotiation
• Strong understanding of public sector contracting frameworks and procurement rules
• Experience managing supplier/provider performance and relationships
• Ability to monitor, analyse and report on contract outcomes and value delivery
• Strong judgement and confidence providing practical, commercially sound advice
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills

Experience in health, education, or social services is advantageous.

Working at Health New Zealand

We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and values-led workforce grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the principles of Te Mauri o Rongo. We welcome applications from Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

Apply Now

Please apply via our careers portal by 11:59pm, Sunday 31st May 2026.

For more information, contact: Cherushka Pillay @ Cherushka.Pillay@tewhatuora.govt.nz

The full position description is available on the Health New Zealand Careers site.

Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change, affected kaimahi will be given preference and priority for this position.
Applications may be reviewed as they are received, and we may progress candidates prior to the closing date.