Programme Manager, Funded Sector (6-Month Fixed Term)

• Work from anywhere in New Zealand with a hybrid model – 3 days in the office | 6-Month Fixed Term Opportunity
• Turn complex funded sector priorities into well-managed programmes with national impact.
• Work across teams and sector partners to deliver meaningful change for New Zealand's health system.

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

Bring clarity, momentum and structure to a complex national work programme. As Programme Manager, Funded Sector, you will support the completion of relating to the disability subsidies policy and process review. This is an opportunity to apply your programme management expertise where effective coordination, trusted relationships and sound delivery make a difference.

You will establish and oversee the systems and processes that keep competing programmes on track, from planning, governance and resource coordination to reporting, risk management and change control. Working with commissioning leads, employers, providers and unions, you will support sector engagement and agreement on procurement approaches, manage dependencies and help resolve issues so priorities translate into practical, responsive implementation.

About the Team and Location

This nationally focused role sits within Planning, Funding and Outcomes and reports to the Manager, Funded Sector Employment Relations. You will join a team working with employers, unions and other sector partners to implement Government priorities and support a well-functioning system. Your work will connect national and regional colleagues, commissioning leads and sector representatives, giving you the opportunity to build partnerships across organisational boundaries and contribute to shared outcomes.

About you

You are an experienced programme management professional who can turn complex priorities into clear plans and sustained delivery. You bring a relevant qualification, are working towards one, or offer comparable experience. Comfortable navigating competing demands, you combine a structured approach with sound judgement, adaptability and the ability to influence across organisational boundaries. You will bring:

• Proven experience managing competing programme priorities using established programme management methodologies.
• A track record of translating objectives into practical work plans and delivering programmes on time and within budget.
• Strong programme governance, reporting and risk management skills, including managing dependencies and change control.
• Demonstrated success building and influencing senior relationships across sectors and organisations, including with Māori and Pacific partners.
• Clear, persuasive communication skills, with the ability to present complex information to senior management, Boards and Ministers.
• Systems thinking and sound judgement to anticipate longer-term impacts and develop collaborative, equity-based solutions.
• The ability to work independently and across interconnected teams, supporting change and continuous improvement.
• A commitment to applying Te Tiriti o Waitangi in practice and supporting inclusive, responsive services and better outcomes for Māori.

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 Monday 09 November 2026. For further information, please contact Jenita Spencer on Jenita.Spencer@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz.

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

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process before the closing date of this advert.