Project Manager, Maternity Ultrasound (Fixed Term)

• Work from anywhere in New Zealand | 12-month fixed-term opportunity through to 30 November 2027 | Hybrid model - 2 days in the office
• Lead a nationally significant programme shaping how maternity ultrasound is funded and delivered across Aotearoa

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 Project Manager - Maternity Ultrasound, you'll lead the planned move of maternity ultrasound into the Community Referred Radiology (CRR) Programme. Today, access to obstetric ultrasound, pricing and delivery differ across the motu. This programme will replace those differences with a national approach to funding and commissioning that is safe, sustainable and equitable. You'll turn the agreed transition approach into a detailed implementation plan. You'll set up governance, reporting and programme controls, and coordinate workstreams covering commissioning, contracting, operational readiness, digital enablement and communications.

No two days will look the same. One day you might work with the Maternity Clinical Change Lead to put national referral criteria in place, including arrangements for higher-risk pregnancies. Another day you might work with radiology providers, Lead Maternity Carers and general practice teams to get them ready for the change. You'll also lead early digital discovery and business process mapping, which will shape how referral, claiming and reporting work in the future. Throughout, you'll keep equity and Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations at the centre of the programme and give senior leaders clear, confident updates on progress and risks.

About the Team and Location

You'll join the Planned & Unplanned Care team in Planning, Funding and Outcomes and report to the Group Manager - Planned & Unplanned Care. You'll work closely with the national Kahu Taurima team, the Community Referred Radiology programme, clinical leads, the digital and data teams, the commissioning teams, and the Hauora Māori and Pacific Health teams. This is a collaborative national team that shares one goal: making sure every hapū māmā can get the care she needs, wherever she lives.

About you

You're an experienced programme or project manager who enjoys turning strategy and policy into practical action. You'll have a relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent experience in programme management, health, public policy, operations or service improvement. Ideally, you'll also have at least five years' experience leading change in health services. You build trust quickly, stay calm when things are uncertain, and keep delivery moving across complex, multi-stakeholder environments. You will bring:

• Proven programme or project management experience in a large, complex health environment
• Strong ability to turn strategy and policy into implementation plans, delivery actions and governance reporting
• Experience coordinating service change across multiple stakeholders while managing interdependencies, ambiguity and pace
• A track record of working with clinical leaders and operational managers to deliver change in planned care, diagnostics or related pathways
• Confidence managing risks, issues and dependencies, and escalating blockers early with practical options
• Sound understanding of change management and stakeholder engagement in places where local practice varies widely
• A commitment to equity and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and an understanding of what implementation choices mean in practice for Māori, Pacific peoples, disabled people and rural communities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write concise updates and clear, action-focused documents

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 Tuesday 24 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.