Group Manager, Primary, Maternity, Child & Youth - Pfo

Permanent, full-time position

Midland region

Join the Senior Leadership Team for Health NZ's Planning, Funding & Outcomes Group

Are you a highly experienced strategic leader with a passion for equitable health outcomes and large-scale system change?

Health New Zealand's Planning, Funding & Outcomes (PFO) is a health services commissioning team looking for a dynamic leader to take on the role of Group Manager, Primary Health, Maternity, Child & Youth for across the Te Manawa Taki region.

This is a critical leadership role responsible for the financial stewardship and service integration that directly impacts health delivery across those service areas.

About Planning, Funding & Outcomes (PFO) – Te Manawa Taki

The PFO team is responsible for the commissioning of all funded primary, community, and mental health services across the Te Manawa Taki region, which spans Taranaki, Waikato, Lakes, Bay of Plenty, and Tairawhiti.

About the Role : Group Manager, Funding and Integration

You will provide senior leadership and strategic oversight for a team responsible for the planning, design, procurement, monitoring, and review of a significant investment in primary health, maternity, child and youth health services.

This is more than just a financial management role; you'll be a key driver of system-wide transformation.

Your strategic leadership will focus on shifting services closer to the community, implementing new models of care, and ensuring access and equity are at the heart of all investment decisions.

Key Responsibilities :

Financial Leadership & Funding Management : Lead the development and management of the Primary Health, Maternity, Child & Youth commissioning budget, overseeing complex funding arrangements and ensuring compliance with all financial frameworks.

Integration & Partnership Development : Drive the integration of care between Hospital and community health providers for these services.

You will lead the implementation of integrated models of care aligned with the NZ Health Plan.

Strategic Planning & Performance : Collaborate with system planning teams to align funding with regional health priorities.

You will use data analytics and financial intelligence to inform resource allocation, monitor provider performance, and manage risk across funded services.

Operational Leadership : Lead, develop, and motivate a multidisciplinary commissioning team (Portfolio Managers, Change / Programme Managers) in a matrix environment, fostering a culture of high performance, collaboration, and innovation.

Equity : Work constructively with Iwi Maori Partnership Boards (IMPBs) and remain focused on the pursuit of Maori health gain and equitable outcomes for all priority populations.

What You'll Bring to the Team

This role requires a proven senior leadership experience with extensive commissioning experience and a demonstrated track record of success in a complex, demanding environment.

Essential Experience and Skills include :

Commissioning Expertise : Demonstrated experience at senior management / executive level leading the full commissioning cycle, including the management of multi-million-dollar budgets.

System and Service Design : Proven experience in leading complex system and service design that results in tangible health improvements.

Leadership and Team Management : Experience leading highly skilled, high-performing management and professional teams.

Strategic Influence : Exceptional ability to develop high-quality, timely business strategies and initiatives across a large organisation, coupled with proven ability to persuade and influence senior stakeholders, including Ministers.

Relationship Building : Demonstrated success in developing, maintaining, and influencing strong relationships and partnerships across sectors, including with Maori and Pacific Peoples and groups.

Government Machinery : Knowledge and experience operating within the machinery of Government and navigating a regulated environment.

Conceptual Thinking : The ability to think conceptually, anticipate the long-term impact of decisions, and develop consultative, robust responses.

Proven ability to operate within a "teams of teams" structure, demonstrating an understanding of how to achieve goals across functional and organisational boundaries and experience in fostering a culture of high performance and collaboration across diverse, interconnected work streams and teams.

If you are ready to take on a leadership role that offers both significant scale and the opportunity to make a profound difference to health equity in the Te Manawa Taki region and are based in the region, we want to hear from you.

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 Maori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

Apply now with your CV and cover letter.

If you would like more information on the position, please contact

Applications close : Midnight 24 November

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