Programme Manager - Diagnostics

• Lead a multi-million dollar national programme to improve access to diagnostic tests across New Zealand.
• Shape nationwide change through innovation, workforce development and smarter service delivery across symptomatic and screening pathways.
• Auckland or Wellington preferred with other locations considered for the right candidate | Permanent, full-time role with a hybrid model

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

Turn national ambition into better access to diagnostic care. This role offers a unique opportunity to work across national strategy and frontline delivery, bringing together clinical, operational, digital, workforce and investment perspectives to improve diagnostic services at scale.

As Programme Manager, Diagnostics, you will lead a major national programme focussed on improving the availability and timliness of diagnosic services across New Zealand. Your initial focus will be on the bowel and cervical components of the multi-million dollar National Diagnostic Improvement Programme, working across symptomatic and screening pathways.

This is a broad programme of change and service improvement. You will bring together initiatives that increase activity, support new models of care and pathways, lift productivity, enhance workforce development, and improve data and analytics to support planning and performance.

This is an opportunity to lead a high-profile programme with nationwide impact. You will translate strategy into coordinated action across the health system. Working closely with clinical leaders, regional delivery leads and senior leaders to optimise capacity and reduce variation in access. From supporting sound governance and tracking outcomes to using data to guide improvements and reporting progress to executive groups, you will keep a complex programme moving towards measurable results for patients, whānau and communities.

About the Team and Location

Based within Funding, Hospitals - Planning, Funding and Outcomes, you will report to the GM Service Investment and Development working closely with a team of regional leaders, drawing on expertise across Health New Zealand. You will connect national clinical leads, regional diagnostic and clinical leads, data and analytics specialists, digital teams and the wider Planned Care Programme to deliver a shared national approach. Auckland or Wellington is preferred, with other locations considered at the manager's discretion.

About you

You are an experienced programme leader who can turn complex priorities into practical delivery.

You can operate strategically while remaining close enough to delivery to keep a complex programme moving. You are comfortable working across clinical, operational, technical and executive environments, building trusted relationships and bringing people together around shared outcomes. Credible with senior leaders and technical and clinical stakeholders, you build trusted partnerships, navigate change and maintain a clear focus on outcomes.

You will bring:

• Proven delivery of complex, large-scale national programmes or service developments in clinical environments, on time and within budget.
• Strong relationship-building and influencing skills, connecting clinical, operational and executive stakeholders around shared priorities.
• Experience using data and insights to identify opportunities, track outcomes and improve performance and service delivery.
• Sound programme governance and financial oversight, including experience commissioning outcomes from providers, tracking and overseeing large budgets.
• Experience putting Te Tiriti o Waitangi into action and working with Māori and Pacific partners to support equitable outcomes.
• Clear, compelling communication skills, translating complex information for senior management, clinical leaders and executive audiences.
• Adaptability, sound judgement and systems thinking, with the ability to lead teams and sustain delivery through change.
• Experience working on high-profile programmes with executive and Ministerial interest; familiarity with Ministerial requests, parliamentary questions and OIAs would be an advantage.

You bring at least eight years' project or programme management experience, previous public sector and/or health sector experience, and relevant graduate and postgraduate qualifications in health, programme management or a similar field. Clinical qualifications are not required but can be helpful to navigate the role.

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 Sunday 15 November 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.