Senior Portfolio Manager - Planning, Funding and Outcomes

Senior Portfolio Manager - Planning, Funding and Outcomes

• Based in Te Waipounmau | Permanent Full-Time
• Shape the future of health services for communities across Aotearoa by leading system-shifting commissioning work
• Be a strategist, a collaborator, and a designer of better futures

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

As a Senior Portfolio Manager, you will contribute to the strategic architect of health system change across Te Waipounamu. Your leadership will shape how services are designed, commissioned, and improved to deliver equitable outcomes and strengthen the long‑term sustainability of the system.

You will guide a significant commissioning portfolio, ensuring investments, service models, and provider partnerships align with national priorities and the Pae Ora vision. Your work will influence strategic decisions, direct resources where they create the greatest impact, and embed system shifts that enhance access, quality, and whānau experience.

Operating at the intersection of strategy, design, and delivery, you will lead cross‑system collaboration with Māori partners, providers, clinicians, government agencies, and communities. You will anticipate future needs, draw insights from data, identify opportunities for redesign, and steer complex change programmes from concept through to implementation.

This is a role for someone who thrives in complexity, can see patterns across the system, and is motivated to create enduring, large‑scale improvements for the people of Aotearoa.

About you

You are a strategic thinker and an experienced leader who can navigate complexity, influence across systems, and translate long‑term priorities into practical, high‑impact commissioning decisions. You bring strong judgement, a solutions‑focused mindset, and the ability to guide others through ambiguity and change.

You will bring :

This position is ideal for someone who is comfortable leading in complex environments, sees connections across the system, and is motivated to drive meaningful, lasting improvements in health outcomes.

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 : 59 PM Wednesday, 19 November 2025 . For further information, please contact Jenita Spencer on

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

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

Job details

Job Reference : HNZ /

Location : South Island - Te Waipounamu - All values

South Island - Canterbury - Christchurch

Job type : Permanent Full time

Expertise : Non-clinical - Funding and Planning

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