Principal Advisor - Planning and Performance - NPHS

Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora; Wellington; On-site; NZD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora in Wellington Central is seeking a Principal Advisor - Planning and Performance to provide principal-level leadership across planning, performance and organisational accountability for the National Public Health Service.

You will lead the operational delivery of planning, reporting and insights that support informed executive decision‑making and better public health outcomes, working with executives and governance groups across Health New Zealand.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years in planning, performance management and organisational accountability.
• Experience delivering principal-level advice to executives.
• Strong analytical ability and data-driven insights.
• Experience in NZ public sector or health sector desirable.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational delivery of planning and performance products.
• Provide principal-level technical leadership and advice.
• Coordinate organisation-wide planning and performance processes.
• Translate data into actionable insights for executive decision-making.
• Champion best practice in planning and performance management.

Skills

Planning and performance leadership

Executive reporting

Analytical storytelling

Stakeholder engagement

Public health sector knowledge

Team collaboration

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification in business, health, public policy, economics or related discipline

Job description

Principal Advisor - Planning and Performance - NPHS

Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora – Wellington Central, North Island

• Lead the operational delivery of high-quality planning and performance products for the National Public Health Service.
• Provide trusted principal-level planning and performance advice that supports executive decision-making and organisational accountability.
• Deliver high-quality performance reporting and insights that enable better organisational performance and public health outcomes.

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 the Principal Advisor - Planning and Performance, you will provide principal-level technical leadership and expert advice across planning, performance and organisational accountability for the National Public Health Service. Working closely with the Manager - Planning and Performance, senior leaders and stakeholders across Health New Zealand, you will lead the operational delivery of high-quality planning, reporting and accountability products That support informed executive decision-making.

You will coordinate organisation-wide planning and performance processes, provide expert analysis and performance insights, and ensure planning and reporting products are accurate, timely and aligned with organisational priorities. As a trusted advisor, you will translate complex information into meaningful insights that support improved organisational performance and public health outcomes.

This is a highly influential role where you will champion best practice in planning and performance management, continuously improve planning and reporting processes, and provide technical leadership across complex planning and performance initiatives. You will work collaboratively with executives, governance groups and public health leaders to ensure planning, performance measures and reporting reflect Health New Zealand priorities, public health objectives and a strong commitment to equity.

About the Service

The National Public Health Service (NPHS) within Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora, work towards Pae Ora (healthy futures) for all by engaging with the wider determinants that impact people's health, focusing on oranga/wellbeing, prevention, protection, and population-level intervention. We are connected across boundaries to deliver public health services that are nationally planned, regionally delivered and locally tailored.

About you

You are an experienced planning and performance professional with deep technical expertise in organisational planning, performance management and executive reporting. You thrive in complex environments and are recognised for providing trusted principal-level advice that supports informed decision-making and organisational accountability.You have a strong track record of leading the delivery of planning and performance products, coordinating complex organisational processes, and translating data and information into meaningful insights that drive performance improvement. You are collaborative, solutions-focused and committed to delivering high-quality outcomes that support equity and improve public health.

You will bring:

• At least 10 years' experience delivering planning, performance management and organisational accountability within a large, complex organisation.
• Proven experience operating at Principal Advisor or equivalent senior level, providing trusted advice to executives and senior leaders.
• Strong expertise in planning, performance reporting, executive reporting and organisational performance.
• Excellent analytical, communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence and work collaboratively across complex environments.
• Experience in the New Zealand public sector or health sector, with public health experience highly desirable.
• A relevant tertiary qualification in business, health, public policy, economics or a related discipline.

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.