Project Manager - Mental Health & Addictions Services

CGR Services; Taranaki; On-site; NZD 80,000 - 112,000; Part time

Job summary

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora in Taranaki is seeking a Programme/Project Manager for Mental Health & Addictions Services. The role focuses on planning, scoping, and coordinating across rural services and Taranaki Base Hospital to deliver timely, high-quality outcomes.

Strong stakeholder engagement and agile, pragmatic leadership are essential. The role requires balancing long-term strategy with hands-on coordination, including data‑driven improvements and effective communication across

Qualifications

• Proven project experience in clinical or health service environments.
• Experience with recognised project management methodologies (PRINCE2, Agile, Lean).
• Strong planning, budgeting and risk management abilities.

Responsibilities

• Plan and scope projects, keep timelines on track and mitigate risks.
• Engage with clinicians, service managers and stakeholders to ensure alignment with strategic goals.
• Lead stakeholder engagement and cross‑functional collaboration across regional and hospital settings.

Skills

PRINCE2

Agile

Lean

Job description

• Project Manager - Mental Health & Addictions Services
• Fixed Term for 9 months, Part-time
• 0.8FTE (64 hours per fortnight)
• Taranaki Base HospitalHealth New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders.

About the Role

A typical day in the life of a programme manager at Te Whatu Ora in Taranaki is fast-paced, collaborative, and deeply rooted in the regions commitment to delivering quality healthcare. The day often involves conversations with clinicians, service managers, and stakeholders reviewing the progress of active projects, to plan new projects and to provide support to colleagues who may be supporting projects and continuous improvements as part of their clinical roles. The project manager is responsible for planning and scoping, keeping timelines on track, creating, mitigating risks, and ensuring alignment with Te Whatu Ora's broader strategic goals. With services spanning rural services to Taranaki Base Hospital, the work demands both a system-wide perspective and attention to localised needs. Throughout the day, the project manager may move between planning sessions for new service designs as well as responding to emerging issues from existing projects. They regularly engage with data and frontline feedback to assess whether improvements are delivering tangible benefits, whether it's shorter wait times, improved coordination, or better outcomes for patients. A critical function of the programme manager is stakeholder and relationship management, drawing out their expertise and ideas and keeping them engaged and informed about progress. The role is a balancing act between long‑term strategic thinking and hands‑on coordination, requiring strong communication, cultural understanding, and agility to work across diverse clinical environments and community contexts unique to Taranaki.

Please click here to view the position description.

About the Team / Service / Location

The Project Manager operates as part of the Mental Health & Addictions Services directorate leadership team coordinating, driving and supporting services and teams from across the directorate to deliver projects focussed on achieving high-quality clinical outcomes and service efficiency and effectiveness. For more information on living and working in Taranaki click here

About you

As a Programme Manager you understand the science and art involved in managing projects well. You also know that no two projects are ever the same. Alongside your professional experience you will be a strategic planner, a lateral thinking and someone who is used to being agile and creative. You value data, evidence, the expertise of your colleagues and know that a successful project requires a team approach. You will have excellent written and oral communication skills and be comfortable working at all levels of the organisation and community. You are a quick thinker and have the ability to manage multi projects whilst maintaining quality and meeting deadlines. You love the unknown and are always up for a new challenge.

Proven Project Experience

Demonstrated success leading complex projects in clinical or health service environments.

Project Management Expertise

Skilled in recognised methodologies such as PRINCE2, Agile, or Lean, with strong planning, budgeting, and risk management abilities.

Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration

Exceptional interpersonal skills to engage clinical teams, iwi, community partners, and executive leadership effectively.

Health System Knowledge

Solid understanding of New Zealand's health sector, including Te Whatu Ora priorities, Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations, and equity-focused care.

Service Design & Improvement

Background in service redesign, quality improvement, or innovation within health settings is highly desirable.

Leadership & Communication Skills

Strong analytical thinking, clear communication, and the ability to lead change in complex, fast-paced environments.

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.

If you have any questions about the role, please contact Ross Ekdahl, Manager Mental Health & Addictions Services via email [e-mail]. All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal by Sunday 4 October 2026.