Senior Programme Manager - Planning, Funding and Outcomes

South Island - Nelson / Marlborough Nelson; Nelson; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora in Nelson is seeking a Senior Programme Manager to lead a portfolio of improvement programmes and implement new models of care across primary and secondary services in Nelson and Marlborough.

You will lead priority regional programmes, identify and prioritise projects, and establish clear plans with milestones using programme management, improvement science, co-design and change management to monitor progress, manage risks and reporting, building

Qualifications

• More than four years' experience in the health sector and/or relevant programme management or improvement experience.
• Management and leadership experience in a healthcare environment, including leading change in complex settings.
• Proficiency in improvement methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, the Model for Improvement, Double Diamond or Agile.
• Strong capability in collecting, analysing and presenting data, including an understanding of variation and visual data displays.
• Advanced communication, presentation, negotiation and relationship management skills across varied audiences.
• Practical appreciation of tikanga, cultural awareness in practice and a commitment to applying Te Tiriti o Waitangi appropriately.

Responsibilities

• Lead a portfolio of improvement programmes and projects implementing new models of care.
• Collaborate with primary and secondary care across Nelson and Marlborough.
• Identify and prioritise new projects and establish clear plans, milestones and measures.
• Monitor progress, manage risks and reporting.
• Build trusted cross-functional relationships to embed sustainable improvements.

Skills

Programme management

Leadership experience

Lean Six Sigma

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Cultural awareness

Education

Graduate and postgraduate qualification

Job description

Senior Programme Manager - Planning, Funding and Outcomes

• Based in Nelson | Full time, Fixed Term Opportunity until October 2027


• Lead a portfolio of high-priority improvement programmes and help shape new models of care across primary and secondary services.


• Influence regional performance, health outcomes and financial sustainability during a significant period of service and infrastructure transformation.

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 Senior Programme Manager, you will collaboratively lead and manage a portfolio of improvement programmes and projects that implement new models of care at the intersection of primary and secondary care across Nelson and Marlborough. Your work will support improved performance against health targets and contribute to the region's financial sustainability during the ongoing Nelson Review and the development of the new Nelson Hospital.

You will lead priority regional programmes, support the identification and prioritisation of new projects, and establish clear plans, milestones and measures with key stakeholders. Using programme management, improvement science, co-design and change management approaches, you will monitor progress, manage risks and reporting, and build trusted cross-functional relationships that help embed sustainable improvements in service delivery.

About the Team and Location

Based in Nelson/Marlborough, this role sits within Regional Planning, Funding & Outcomes and reports to the Group Manager, Integration Nelson/Marlborough. You will work closely with regional and national Planning, Funding & Outcomes teams, operational leaders, Māori and Pacific health teams, Hauora Services, the National Public Health Service, sector partners, community representatives and other government agencies.

About you

You will be an experienced programme and improvement leader who can navigate complexity, use evidence to guide decisions and bring people together around shared outcomes. You will combine sound judgement and personal accountability with clear communication, cultural awareness and a practical commitment to continuous improvement. You will bring:

• A relevant graduate and postgraduate qualification.


• More than four years' experience in the health sector and/or relevant programme management or improvement experience.


• Management and leadership experience in a healthcare environment, including leading change in complex settings.


• Proficiency in improvement methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, the Model for Improvement, Double Diamond or Agile.


• Strong capability in collecting, analysing and presenting data, including an understanding of variation and visual data displays.


• Advanced communication, presentation, negotiation and relationship management skills across varied audiences.


• A practical appreciation of tikanga, cultural awareness in practice and a commitment to applying Te Tiriti o Waitangi appropriately.


• Excellent planning, time management, task allocation and delegation skills, with the ability to deliver to deadlines.

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.

Job details

Job Reference:

Job Reference: HNZ/1949210

Location:

South Island - Nelson / Marlborough - Nelson

Job type:

Job type: Fixed Term

Expertise:

Non-clinical - Planning and Funding - Planning and Funding