Transition Project Manager at Te Whatu Ora, Wellington

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora – Central Region

Location: Central Region (MidCentral & Whanganui districts)

Department: Infrastructure & Investment Group (IIG) – Facilities Management

Employment type: Fixed term – 12 Months

Work pattern: Full-time

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is the country's largest employer, delivering universal public healthcare to 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 Transition Project Manager, you will lead the end-to-end transition to a new Facilities Management (FM) operating model across the MidCentral and Whanganui districts — moving from the current outsourced arrangement to a new model that aligns with Health NZ's national direction. You'll plan, coordinate and deliver a phased programme that protects continuity of services for our clinical and support teams while uplifting regional capability.

Reporting to the Regional Group Manager – Facilities Management, you'll manage programme planning, workforce mobilisation, vendor engagement, systems and data integration (including the Asset Management Information System - AMIS), risk and benefits realisation, and change communications. Success means a safe, timely and well governed transition that strengthens performance, transparency and service quality for our communities.

About the Team/Service/ Location

The IIG Central team are focused on delivering high impact infrastructure investments that support the transformation of New Zealand's health system within region and with alignment across the motu. The team you'll build a strong relationship with is the Facilities Management team, focused on strong stewardship, maintenance and compliance of Health NZ assets.

Giving support, oversight and assurance across projects and programmes, the team understand that 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.

About you

You're an organised, relationship centred project leader who thrives in complex, operational environments. You balance day-to-day delivery with long term system thinking and communicate clearly with partners at every level. Above all, you care, you understand that how we deliver change matters for our people and communities.

You balance operational delivery with long term system thinking, and can influence at all levels. You value collaboration, clear communication and thoughtful leadership.

Most importantly, you care. You're here to help shape a health system that delivers better outcomes for communities. You actively contribute to a positive team environment, consistently embodying the values of Health NZ in your work. You understand that how you lead is just as important as what you deliver and you take pride in fostering a collaborative, inclusive and purpose-driven workplace.

You will bring:

Essential experience & skills

• Relevant degree (project management, engineering, business or related) or significant equivalent experience.
• Proven delivery of large, complex, multisite projects, ideally involving vendor transition, service redesign or operating model shifts.
• Strong understanding of facilities/asset management in complex organisations.
• Experience integrating or working with enterprise systems (e.g., AMIS or similar).
• Demonstrated risk, dependency and stakeholder management in high risk operational settings.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including reporting to senior leadership and governance.
• Commercial acumen and experience supporting contract related decisions.

Desired

• Post‑graduate qualification in project, engineering, business or transformation.
• Experience in the New Zealand health sector or broader public sector.
• Exposure to FM operating model design/implementation (blended, aggregator or inhouse).

What you'll bring as a leader

• A practical, solutions focused style that supports people through change.
• Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and to equitable outcomes for Māori, Pacific peoples, disabled people and rainbow communities.
• Commitment to your own and others' health, safety and wellbeing.
• Integrity, accountability and a drive to deliver outcomes that matter.

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. 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 17th June 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. 

Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change, affected employees will be given preference and priority for this position.