Transition Change Manager

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 Change Manager, you will lead change management activities for the transition to a new Facilities Management (FM) operating model across the MidCentral and Whanganui districts. Your focus is ensuring that people, processes, and systems are well supported throughout the shift from the current outsourced arrangement to a new model aligned with Health NZ's national direction.

You will design and deliver the change strategy and tactical plan for the transition, including communications, workforce engagement, training, readiness assessment, and transition support, to minimise disruption and build capability and confidence across the region. Success in this role means that staff, contractors, and stakeholders understand the change, feel supported through it, and are equipped to operate effectively in the new model.

Working closely with the Project Manager, Regional Group Manager Facilities Management, district leadership, and national teams, you will ensure the change approach is integrated, people-centred, and responsive to operational realities. This role requires strong relationship management, excellent communication skills, and deep experience leading change in complex, multi‑site environments. Above all, you recognise that how we deliver change matters — for our people, for service continuity, and for the communities we serve.

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.

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 are an experienced change professional who thrives in complex, multisite operational environments. You bring a people centred approach to leading change and are skilled at building trust, translating complexity into clarity, and supporting others through uncertainty. You value collaboration, partnership, and culturally responsive engagement, and you demonstrate a deep commitment to equitable outcomes for Māori, Pacific peoples, disabled people, and all communities across Aotearoa.

You are confident navigating operational realities while keeping sight of long term system goals. You lead with empathy and integrity, fostering an environment where people feel informed, valued, and supported. You understand that change is not just about new structures or processes — it is about people, relationships, and a shared sense of purpose. Your leadership reflects Te Mauri o Rongo, and you actively contribute to a culture where everyone can bring their best to work and feel proud returning to their whānau, friends, and communities.

You are calm under pressure, solutions focused, and comfortable working across different functions, organisations, and teams. You can influence without authority, build strong networks, and confidently engage with staff, contractors, technical experts, and senior leaders. Above all, you care deeply about improving the health system and supporting a sustainable, capable workforce for the future.

You will bring:

Essential Experience & Skills

• A relevant qualification in change management, organisational development, communications, business, or significant equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading change in complex, multi‑site operational environments, ideally involving service redesign, vendor transitions, or operating model changes.
• Strong understanding of change methodologies, workforce impacts, organisational readiness, and behaviour change principles.
• Proven ability to design and deliver change strategies, engagement plans, communications, and training approaches for large‑scale transitions.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex operational change into clear, accessible messaging for different audiences.
• Demonstrated capability in building trusted relationships with staff, leaders, contractors, and cross functional teams.
• Experience managing risks, identifying impacts, and supporting people through uncertainty and transition.

Desired

• Post‑graduate qualifications in organisational psychology, change management, or related disciplines.
• Experience in the New Zealand health sector or broader public sector.
• Familiarity with facilities management, maintenance, asset management, or infrastructure related transformation environments.

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 2nd 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.