Programme Director

Help shape the future of health in New Zealand

The Health Digital Investment Plan (HDIP) is a 10-year roadmap to modernise the digital systems, technology and infrastructure that underpin health services across New Zealand. As one of the largest and most significant change programmes undertaken in the public sector, HDIP is focused on replacing ageing, fragmented systems with modern, integrated and secure solutions that improve experiences for clinicians, patients and whānau while supporting the long-term sustainability of our health system.

To deliver this transformation, Health NZ established the Centre for Digital Modernisation of Health. The Centre provides the leadership, governance and delivery capability required to coordinate the programmes that make up the Health Digital Investment Plan. Bringing together health sector expertise, specialist delivery capability and a consistent approach to planning and implementation, the Centre helps ensure these complex programmes are delivered safely, effectively and with lasting benefits for patients, clinicians and communities across New Zealand.

As one of the key portfolios within the Centre for Digital Modernisation of Health, the Corporate Experience Portfolio is transforming Health NZ's workforce, finance, procurement and supply chain services through the implementation of a single, integrated corporate platform. This transformation will improve access to information, reduce duplication and manual effort, support more consistent ways of working, and enable better planning and decision-making across Health NZ. Ultimately, it will help ensure people, resources and investment can be directed where they are needed most to support the delivery of health services.

About the roles

We are seeking three experienced Programme Directors to lead major transformation programmes within the Corporate Experience Portfolio, one of the key portfolios within the Centre for Digital Modernisation of Health:

• Programme Director - Finance Modernisation
• Programme Director - People & Culture Modernisation
• Programme Director - Procurement & Supply Chain Modernisation

Reporting to the relevant Senior Responsible Owner (SRO), each Programme Director will provide strategic leadership across a complex programme of work that will transform how Health NZ delivers critical corporate services. These programmes are central to the delivery of an integrated national corporate platform and will help create more efficient, consistent and connected ways of working across Health NZ.

The Programme Director will be responsible for translating strategic intent into a clear programme roadmap and delivery plan, ensuring future operating models, business processes, organisational change and technology solutions are successfully designed, integrated and implemented. Working closely with business leaders, governance groups, the Centre for Digital Modernisation of Health and delivery partners, the role will lead delivery from programme definition through to implementation, adoption and benefits realisation.

A key focus of the role will be maintaining alignment across interconnected programmes, managing complex dependencies, risks and stakeholder relationships, and ensuring delivery remains focused on agreed outcomes while balancing pace, affordability, organisational readiness and long-term value.

The Programme Director will also lead and develop a high-performing multidisciplinary programme team, fostering a collaborative one-team culture and building the capability required to deliver sustainable change across Health NZ. This includes providing oversight of programme governance, investment planning, commercial and delivery partner management, change and adoption activities, and ensuring transparent reporting, sound financial management and effective assurance throughout the programme lifecycle.

This is a significant leadership opportunity requiring strategic thinking, sound judgement and the ability to lead confidently through complexity and ambiguity while bringing people together around a shared vision for transformation.

What we're looking for

The successful candidates will be accomplished programme leaders with experience delivering large-scale business and technology transformation in complex environments.

You will bring:

• Exceptional judgement, integrity and accountability, with the ability to navigate complexity and make sound decisions.
• Strong strategic leadership skills and the ability to translate vision into practical delivery outcomes.
• Experience leading large-scale transformation programmes involving operating model, process, workforce and technology change.
• A proven ability to manage complex stakeholder environments and build trusted relationships across executive, operational and delivery groups.
• Strong commercial, governance, risk and financial management capability.
• The ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and foster a high-performing, collaborative culture.
• Curiosity, adaptability and a commitment to continuous improvement and innovation.
• Authentic, values-led leadership with a strong commitment to achieving equitable health outcomes for all New Zealanders.

These are opportunities to lead major transformation programmes that will help shape the future of healthcare in New Zealand. As Programme Directors, you will play a critical role in modernising the systems, processes and capabilities that support Health NZ's workforce, finance, procurement and supply chain services.

The work you lead will enable better decisions, more efficient ways of working and improved experiences for staff, ultimately helping Health NZ deliver better outcomes for patients, whānau and communities across Aotearoa New Zealand.

All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal by 11:59pm on the Friday, 13 November 2026.

If you have any questions about the role, please contact Ash Mohan at ash.mohan@tewhatuora.govt.nz.

NOTE: We are partnering with a recruitment agency for this role, and we'll share the details with them so they can support the sourcing process.