Portfolio Manager

CGR Services; Otago; Hybrid; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is hiring a Portfolio Manager to plan, fund, design and monitor community services across a portfolio of service areas.

You will work with Senior Portfolio Managers to translate priorities into practical service and investment strategies, spanning the commissioning cycle from design to contract management and provider relationships. A tertiary qualification is required and equity is a core value.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years' experience in planning, funding, commissioning or related environment.
• Experience across the commissioning cycle, including service and investment strategy, service design and provider management.
• Strong analytical and project management capability with evidence-based decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to planning, funding, and service design across a portfolio of service areas.
• Translate priorities into practical service and investment strategies.
• Engage with clinicians, providers, consumers and communities to improve access, outcomes and equity.
• Support business cases, funding reviews, reporting and change initiatives.
• Monitor performance and support service improvement across the portfolio.

Skills

Commissioning expertise

Analytical skills

Project management

Relationship management

Communication

Strategic thinking

Adaptability

Equity focus

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification

Job description

Based anywhere in the Southern District with a hybrid model – 3 days in the office | Permanent, full-time role

Make a real difference—shape smarter, more equitable community services 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 Portfolio Manager, you will play a key role in planning, funding, designing and monitoring community services across a portfolio of service areas. Working alongside Senior Portfolio Managers you will help translate Health New Zealand and government priorities into practical service and investment strategies that improve access, outcomes and equity. You will work across the commissioning cycle — from service design and procurement through to contract and provider relationship management, performance monitoring and service improvement. You will use evidence, data and stakeholder insight to identify opportunities for service development, redesign or disinvestment, while building strong relationships with Hospital & Specialist Services, Hauora Māori Services, clinicians, providers, consumers, whānau, communities and government agencies. You will also contribute to business cases, funding reviews, reporting and change initiatives that support an integrated and sustainable health system.

About the Team and Location

You will be part of the Planning, Funding and Outcomes (PFO) team, working collaboratively across Health New Zealand and with regional, national and external partners. The team brings together expertise in planning, commissioning, service design, funding and system development to support better health outcomes for the communities we serve.

About you

You will bring 3–5 years' experience in planning, funding, commissioning or a related environment, with demonstrated experience across the commissioning cycle, including service and investment strategy, service design and provider management. The successful candidate will have strong analytical and project management capability, excellent communication skills and the confidence to work with a diverse range of stakeholders. A relevant tertiary or professional qualification is required. The successful candidate will bring :

• Strong commissioning expertise, with experience across service and investment strategies, service design and provider performance management.
• Strong analytical and evidence-based decision-making skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and insights to inform planning, funding and commissioning decisions.
• Proven programme and project management capability, with experience delivering complex work programmes on time and within budget.
• Strong relationship management and influencing skills, with the ability to build trusted partnerships with clinicians, providers, consumers, whānau, communities and sector partners.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to provide clear, concise and compelling advice to a range of audiences.
• Strategic thinking and sound judgement, with the ability to connect service design and investment decisions to organisational priorities, outcomes and value for money.
• Adaptability and personal accountability, with the ability to work autonomously, navigate complexity and respond effectively to changing priorities.
• A strong commitment to equity and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, with the ability to apply these principles practically to support improved outcomes for Māori and all communities.

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.

All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal by 11 : 59PM Tuesday 01 September 2026.