Portfolio Manager Older Persons - Planning, Funding and Outcomes

• Based in the South Island | Permanent Full-time with a hybrid model – 3 days in the office

• Turn evidence into action to shape community and mental health services across Te Waipounamu.

• Bring your planning, funding and relationship expertise to work that improves access and outcomes for communities.

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

Help shape services that make a difference where people live. As a Portfolio Manager in Regional Planning, Funding & Outcomes, you will support the planning and funding of community and mental health services across a portfolio of service areas in Te Waipounamu. Working alongside Senior Portfolio Managers and System Design Managers, you will translate evidence, insights and strategic priorities into practical service development plans that improve access, strengthen integrated care and support better outcomes.

Your work will span the commissioning cycle—from service design and procurement to contract negotiation, provider relationship management and performance monitoring. You will bring consumers, clinicians, providers and partner organisations together to inform service improvements, use data to assess what is working, and prepare clear advice, business cases and funding proposals. This is an opportunity to combine analytical thinking with meaningful partnerships, helping services respond to community needs while keeping equity, quality and sustainability at the centre.

About the Team and Location

Join Regional Planning, Funding & Outcomes in Te Waipounamu, working across teams and alongside community, clinical and sector partners to support responsive, connected health services. You will collaborate with colleagues across planning, funding and service design, building relationships with providers and communities to turn shared priorities into practical improvements. The role has no direct reports, offering scope to achieve results through partnership, influence and portfolio expertise.

About you

You bring 3–5 years of planning and funding experience across varied environments, supported by a relevant tertiary or professional qualification. Confident working across the commissioning cycle, you know how to turn complex information into clear advice and build trusted relationships that move work forward. You combine sound judgement and personal accountability with curiosity, adaptability and a commitment to continuous improvement. You will bring:

• Experience in commissioning, service and investment strategies, and provider management oversight.

• The ability to build and influence partnerships across organisations, working effectively with clinicians, patients, providers and management.

• Experience designing work programmes and coordinating delivery on time and within budget, using project and programme management methods and tools.

• Strong data analysis and interpretation skills to inform service design, investment decisions and performance improvement.

• Clear written and verbal communication, including the ability to prepare concise reports, business cases and proposals for different audiences.

• An understanding of machinery of government processes and experience responding to related requests.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and programme management software, with the flexibility to work autonomously and make sound decisions.

• A commitment to applying Te Tiriti o Waitangi in practice, advancing equity and contributing to an inclusive, safe working environment.

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.

How to Apply

To apply, please click “apply now.”  All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal by 11:59PM Wednesday, 28 October 2026. For further information, please contact Jenita Spencer on Jenita.Spencer@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz.

The full position description is available on the Health New Zealand Careers site.

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