System Design Lead - PFO

Are you an experienced health system design leader ready to shape the future of health services across our region? We are seeking a System Design Lead to define and assure the strategic design methodology for regionally commissioned health portfolios, driving integrated, outcome-focused solutions that genuinely improve community health.

This pivotal role requires a strategic thinker with proven leadership skills to manage and mentor a team of System Design Managers, ensuring their work is cohesive, clinically safe, financially viable, and aligned with national, regional, and local health priorities. If you thrive on complexity, integration, and making a tangible impact on health equity, we want to hear from you.

About the Role

The System Design Lead holds ultimate responsibility for the design integrity and strategic alignment of new and redesigned health services, pathways, and whole-of-system solutions across the commissioned health portfolios.

You will provide direct leadership and management to the System Design Managers, acting as the final point of escalation for design conflicts and integration challenges across multiple portfolios. Your expertise will bridge policy, clinical strategy, and implementation, ensuring service improvements meet best practice standards and patient needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic System Design & Assurance : Establish and implement a consistent, rigorous system design methodology. Critically review and sign‑off on integrated service design blueprints and business cases, ensuring they are scalable and financially viable.
• Leadership and Team Management : Lead, mentor, and develop a high‑performing team of System Design Managers, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. Manage workload and project allocation for timely delivery of initiatives.
• Stakeholder and Partnership Engagement : Build and maintain high‑trust relationships with external partners (providers, clinical leaders, government agencies) to co‑design and secure buy‑in for system changes. Present complex design concepts and risks to the Regional Leadership Team.
• Data‑Informed Decision Making : Ensure the team uses robust population health data, evidence‑based research, and community intelligence to ground all design decisions and actively address health inequities.

What You Will Bring

You are a seasoned professional with exceptional analytical and leadership capabilities, coupled with a deep commitment to equitable health outcomes.

Essential Qualifications & Experience :

• A relevant tertiary or professional qualification.
• 8–10+ years of progressive experience in health system design, service architecture, or strategic planning, with a significant portion in a senior leadership or management capacity within health, public sector, or a complex regulated environment.
• Strong understanding of health commissioning cycles, funding mechanisms, health policy, and the operational landscape of regional health services (primary, secondary, community care).
• Demonstrated ability to manage multi‑faced design projects and integrate diverse clinical, operational, and financial perspectives.
• Exceptional ability to communicate highly complex concepts clearly to diverse audiences (clinical, executive, community) and influence decision‑making at a senior level.
• Highly developed political acumen, negotiation, and influencing skills, with proven experience leading quality or service improvement change management in a complex healthcare setting.
• A strong commitment to improving health outcomes and reducing health inequalities.

This is an opportunity to be at the forefront of health system transformation. You will lead a high‑impact team dedicated to creating accessible, appropriate, and effective health services for all New Zealanders.

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.

If you are ready to lead strategic design and drive meaningful, integrated change at system level, apply now with your CV and cover letter.

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

Job details

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