Project Director

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

Job summary

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is seeking a Project Director to provide senior leadership for major infrastructure investments in the Central Region within the Infrastructure and Investment Group (IIG).

You will lead projects through all lifecycle stages with governance, risk management and delivery performance at the core, coordinating across project, technical and operations teams to achieve regional priorities.

Qualifications

• A four-year undergraduate degree plus a postgraduate qualification (MBA or MSc).
• Extensive progressive project management experience delivering major, complex construction projects or programmes valued above $10 million.
• Senior or general management experience leading large project teams.
• Experience with multiple internal and external stakeholder groups in complex delivery environments.
• Experience in business case development, benefits tracking and governance routines and executive reporting.
• Strong knowledge of formal project, programme and change management methods and standards.
• Experience managing complex budgets, business plans, risk and delivery performance.
• Knowledge of supporting functions including legal, procurement, risk, audit and technology.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior leadership for significant infrastructure investments across the Central Region.
• Ensure governance, risk management, stakeholder engagement and delivery performance.
• Align project objectives with regional priorities while balancing scope, budget and programme requirements.
• Collaborate across project, technical and operational teams to enable successful outcomes.
• Provide direction and build relationships within a complex stakeholder environment.

Skills

Project leadership

Governance

Stakeholder engagement

Risk management

Commercial judgement

Communication

Change management

Education

Undergraduate degree

Postgraduate qualification (MBA or MSc)

Tools

Project management standards

Job description

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 Project Director, you will provide senior leadership for some of Health New Zealand's most significant infrastructure investments across the Central Region within the Infrastruture and Investment Group (IIG). You will be accountable for delivering complex projects that support improved health services and better outcomes for communities.

Leading projects through all stages of the lifecycle, you will ensure effective governance, risk management, stakeholder engagement and delivery performance, aligning project objectives with regional priorities while balancing scope, budget, programme requirements and long-term benefits.

You will work collaboratively across project, technical and operational teams, providing clear direction, building strong relationships and enabling successful outcomes within a complex stakeholder environment.

About the Team/Service/ Location

The IIG team are focused on delivering high-impact infrastructure investments that support the transformation of New Zealand's health system. Giving support, oversight and assurance across projects and programmes, they understand that safe, fit for purpose health facilities, sites and equipment are essential for a well-functioning health system that improves the health of all New Zealanders.

Based within the Central Region, this role works closely with regional leadership, facilities teams, business partners and service providers to ensure the effective delivery of support services and operational excellence across the region.

About you

You are an experienced project and people leader with a background in delivering major, complex construction projects and programmes. You bring sound commercial judgement, a clear understanding of governance and risk, and the confidence to lead through ambiguity while maintaining focus on outcomes, safety and accountability.

You know how to bring together internal and external specialists, establish clear priorities and create an environment where people are supported to contribute, develop and succeed.

You are a confident communicator who can simplify complex information into clear insights and recommendations. By providing thoughtful advice, transparent reporting and proactive stakeholder engagement, you help build confidence in project delivery while ensuring risks, opportunities and key decisions are well understood.

You Will Bring

• A relevant four-year undergraduate degree, together with a postgraduate qualification ideally in a business discipline, such as an MBA or MSc.
• Extensive progressive project management experience directly related to the development and delivery of major, complex construction projects or programmes valued above $10 million.
• Significant senior or general management experience, including leading large project teams and building committed, high-performing teams.
• Proven experience working with multiple internal and external stakeholder groups in complex delivery environments.
• Experience in business case development, benefits tracking and management, corporate governance routines and executive reporting.
• Strong knowledge and practical application of formal project, programme and change management methods, techniques and standards.
• Experience managing complex budgets, business plans, project risk and delivery performance.
• Knowledge of supporting functions including legal, procurement, risk, audit and technology.

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.

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

Job details

Job Reference:

Job Reference: HNZ/1954957

Location:

North Island - Wellington - Wellington Central

North Island - Central - Work from where you are

Job type:

Job type: Permanent Full time

Expertise:

Non-clinical - Project Manager - Project Manager