Sustainability Programme Lead

Whanganui District Health Board - Clinical Vacancies; Whanganui; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora - Whanganui is seeking a Sustainability Programme Lead to steer the hospital and specialist services sustainability portfolio. You will sit in the Office of the Group Director Operations, providing governance, coordination, and assurance across initiatives aimed at improving operational performance, productivity and financial sustainability.

You will work with senior clinical and operational leaders to establish reporting frameworks, monitor progress, and deliver timely

Qualifications

• Tertiary or professional qualification, with a recognised project management qualification such as PMI, PRINCE2 or Agile.
• Experience leading programmes and improvement initiatives within complex service environments.
• Strong governance, performance reporting, and assurance over programme delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Sustainability Programme for Hospital and Specialist Services across Whanganui within the Office of the Group Director Operations.
• Provide governance, oversight, coordination, and assurance across a broad portfolio of initiatives.
• Develop reporting frameworks and monitoring against key objectives; deliver strategic analysis for decision-makers.
• Influence improvement initiatives and build stakeholder relationships to support better health outcomes and sustainability.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical thinking

Strategic thinking

Leadership in programmes

Education

Tertiary or professional qualification with PMI/PRINCE2/Agile

Job description

Sustainability Programme Lead | Whanganui Hospital | Fixed Term Fulltime

Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora - Whanganui

Expressions of Interest -Applications are invited from current Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora employees only.

Full time, Contract, Casual/Temporary

Lead high-impact improvement programmes that influence operational performance, financial sustainability, and health outcomes across Hospital and Specialist Services.

• Join a senior leadership environment where you'll work alongside clinical and operational leaders, drive meaningful organisational change, and help shape the future sustainability of healthcare delivery in Whanganui.

Health 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

As the Sustainability Programme Lead, you will play a pivotal role within the Office of the Group Director Operations, leading the Sustainability Programme for Hospital and Specialist Services across Whanganui. You will provide governance, oversight, coordination, and assurance across a broad portfolio of initiatives focused on improving operational performance, productivity, and financial sustainability.

Working closely with senior clinical and operational leaders, you will establish programme structures and reporting frameworks, monitor performance against key objectives, provide strategic analysis, and ensure decision-makers have access to timely, high-quality information. You will influence improvement initiatives across services, develop meaningful stakeholder relationships, and help drive organisational priorities that support better health outcomes and long-term sustainability.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced programme leader who thrives in complex environments, enjoys working with senior stakeholders, and is passionate about delivering meaningful change across the health sector.

About the Team/Service/ Location

The Sustainability Programme Lead sits within the Office of the Group Director Operations and works across Hospital and Specialist Services to provide programme leadership, performance oversight, and strategic coordination. The role partners with operational and clinical leaders, finance teams, regional and national stakeholders, and improvement specialists to support delivery of sustainability objectives across the district.

Whanganui offers a fantastic lifestyle, combining affordable living, a vibrant arts and culture scene, excellent outdoor recreation opportunities, and easy access to both mountains and coastline.

About you

You will be an experienced programme or portfolio management professional with a proven ability to lead complex initiatives and influence outcomes across diverse stakeholder groups.

• Tertiary or professional qualification, with a recognised project management qualification such as PMI, PRINCE2 or Agile.
• Extensive experience leading programmes and improvement initiatives within complex service environments.
• Demonstrated experience in programme governance, performance reporting, and providing assurance over programme delivery.
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence at senior leadership levels.
• Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, equity, and the challenges and opportunities facing the New Zealand health sector.

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.

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