Programme Manager, Primary Health, Maternity, Child And Youth

CGR Services; Taranaki; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Health New Zealand is seeking a Programme Manager to lead end-to-end Primary Health, Maternity, Child & Youth programmes across multiple regions. You will plan, implement, and oversee complex portfolios, ensuring robust governance and value for money.

You will drive change, manage dependencies, and build strong relationships with internal and external partners, delivering outcomes that improve health equity and access in New Zealand.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3-5 years proven experience leading and delivering complex health programmes.
• Proficiency in formal programme/project management methodologies and governance.
• Strong communication and influence skills to senior management, Boards and Ministers.
• Deep commitment to improving health outcomes and equitable access.
• Experience developing, maintaining and influencing partnerships across sectors.
• Experience leading work programmes, project planning, and managing budgets.

Responsibilities

• Develop robust programme plans with objectives, scope, deliverables, resources and risk management.
• Oversee delivery of multiple complex health programmes on time, within budget and quality standards.
• Establish governance structures, lead cross-functional teams and mitigate risks and issues.
• Define performance indicators and regularly report progress, outcomes and value for money.
• Lead programme evaluations and drive continuous improvement and service innovation.
• Produce high-quality briefings, reports, and business cases for senior management and boards.
• Build and maintain strong internal and external stakeholder relationships.

Skills

Programme Management Expertise

Governance & Methodology

Communication & Influence

Health Equity Commitment

Stakeholder Engagement

Business Acumen

Professional Qualifications

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification

Job description

Programme Manager, Primary Health, Maternity, Child and Youth

Based in either New Plymouth, Hamilton, Rotorua, Tauranga and Gisborne | Permanent Full-time

Drive complex programmes of work end-to-end, from planning and change management through to delivery, monitoring, and reporting

Strong professional growth – build programme leadership, change management, and stakeholder influence skills

About the Role

This pivotal role is responsible for the end-to-end planning, implementation, and oversight of a portfolio of Primary Health, Maternity Child & Youth programmes designed to improve health outcomes, ensure equitable access, and achieve value for money. You will be the central driver, ensuring robust systems, effective change management, and seamless collaboration across functional and organisational boundaries. You will manage dependencies between complex and often competing programmes of work, translating strategic priorities into measurable results.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Program Planning : Develop robust plans, defining objectives, scope, deliverables, resourcing, and comprehensive risk management strategies.
• Delivery : Oversee the successful delivery of multiple, complex health programmes, ensuring they are on time, within budget, and meet required quality standards.
• Program Control : Develop and manage effective governance structures, lead cross-functional project teams, and proactively identify, mitigate, and elevate risks and issues.
• Monitoring & Reporting : Establish clear performance indicators and monitoring frameworks. Regularly report on programme progress, financial accountability, outcomes, and value for money.
• Insights & Improvement : Lead programme evaluations, analysing data to inform future commissioning cycles and drive continuous improvement and service innovation.
• Documentation : Develop high-quality briefings, reports, papers, and business cases for senior management, funding boards, and other decision‑makers.
• Collaborative Partnership : Build and maintain strong, effective relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.

About the Team and Service

We are seeking a Programme Manager to join our Planning, Funding & Outcomes (PFO) team in the Te Manawa Taki Region (covering New Plymouth, Hamilton, Rotorua, Tauranga and Gisborne). The PFO team is responsible for the commissioning of all funded primary, community, and mental health services across the Te Manawa Taki region. You must be based in one of these locations within Health New Zealand's Te Manawa Taki region.

About you

You are an experienced Programme Manager with a strong track record in leading complex, cross-functional initiatives, ideally within the health sector. You thrive in dynamic environments where strategic thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration are essential to delivering impactful outcomes. With a proven ability to drive change, manage stakeholder expectations, and navigate ambiguity, you are passionate about improving health services and shaping the future of healthcare in New Zealand. Your expertise allows you to turn complex challenges into actionable solutions, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within scope, and with lasting benefits.

What You Will Bring

• Programme Management Expertise : Minimum of 3-5 years proven experience successfully leading and delivering complex programmes within a health commissioning, healthcare delivery, or public sector service design environment.
• Methodology & Governance : Strong proficiency in formal programme / project management methodologies and tools, with demonstrated experience ensuring sound governance and managing dependencies.
• Communication & Influence : The ability to compellingly communicate complex information (oral and written) to diverse audiences, including senior management, Boards, and Ministers.
• Health Equity Commitment : A deep commitment to improving health outcomes, reducing health inequalities, and promoting equitable access to care through system thinking and collaborative solutions.
• Stakeholder Engagement : Demonstrated experience at a leadership level for developing, maintaining, and influencing partnerships across sectors and organisations.
• Business Acumen : Experience leading and driving work programmes, project planning, and managing budgets to ensure timely and effective delivery.
• Professional Qualifications : A relevant tertiary qualification Working at Health 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.