Senior Project Manager

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora; Wellington; On-site; NZD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead major health infrastructure projects in the Central Region. You’ll oversee planning through delivery, procurement, contracts, and reporting while coordinating with hospital operations, iwi partners, and external stakeholders.

Candidates should have 9+ years in large-scale commercial construction in New Zealand, strong health & safety knowledge, and proven leadership and communication skills to drive projects to time

Qualifications

• Ter tiary qualification in project management, engineering, or construction management.
• 9+ years of large scale commercial construction experience in New Zealand.
• Ability to manage project plans, budgets, procurement and contract administration.
• Strong focus on health and safety, risk management and regulatory compliance.
• Experience working in live operational environments and diverse stakeholder landscapes.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of major health infrastructure projects from planning through delivery.
• Oversee procurement, contract administration and reporting activities.
• Manage risks, issues, and ensure projects are on time and within budget.
• Foster relationships with hospital operations, iwi partners, regulators, and contractors.
• Provide hands-on leadership to multidisciplinary teams to deliver value.

Skills

Project leadership

Stakeholder management

Contract administration

Procurement

Budget management

Risk management

Health & safety

Communication

Education

Project/Engineering/Construction degree

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 a Senior Project Manager within the Infrastructure and Investment Group (IIG), you'll be leading the delivery of some of Aotearoa's most significant and complex health Infrastructure projects across the Central Region.

You'll be responsible for managing large scale construction projects from planning through to delivery, acting as the key point of contact for contract works and progress reporting.

You'll oversee procurement, contract administration, and reporting, while maintaining strong relationships with hospital operations, iwi partners, and external stakeholders. You'll be responsible for managing risks, resolving issues, ensuring compliance with health and safety and regulatory standards, and projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards.

This is a hands on leadership role that offers the chance to shape the future of healthcare facilities, bringing together people, resources, and strategy to deliver projects that matter.

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 in the Central Region, this role works closely with Infrastructure and Investment Group leadership, project services, procurement, asset management, facilities maintenance and engineering teams. It also partners with clinical leaders, contractors, consultants, suppliers and regulatory authorities to support the successful delivery of capital works projects.

About you

You're a capable and confident infrastructure professional who brings a blend of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and people leadership to every project you lead. With a solid foundation in construction project management, you understand the complexities of delivering large scale infrastructure in live operational environments.

You know how to manage competing priorities, navigate complex stakeholder landscapes, and keep projects moving forward with clarity and purpose. You're comfortable leading procurement processes, administering contracts, and ensuring compliance with health and safety and regulatory standards.

Your leadership style is inclusive and grounded in collaboration. You build strong relationships across diverse teams, including iwi partners, hospital operations, consultants, and contractors. You build trust quickly, communicate clearly, and foster a culture of safety, innovation, and continuous improvement.

This role is your chance to help shape healthcare in New Zealand by delivering infrastructure that enables better care and stronger communities.

You will bring:

• A tertiary qualification in project management, engineering, or construction management.
• 9+ years' experience in large scale commercial construction in New Zealand.
• Proven ability to manage project plans, budgets, procurement, and contract administration.
• Strong understanding of health and safety, risk management, and compliance.
• Experience working in live operational environments and managing stakeholder relationships.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to translate complex issues into clear messages.

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.

Job details

Job Reference:

Job Reference: HNZ/1954960

Location:

North Island - Wellington - Wellington Central

Job type:

Job type: Permanent Full time

Expertise:

Non-clinical - Project Manager - Project Manager