Programme Director(s)

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Help shape the future of health in New Zealand

The Health Digital Investment Plan (HDIP) is a 10-year roadmap to modernise the digital systems and technology that underpin health services across New Zealand.

To deliver the plan, Health NZ has established the Centre for Digital Modernisation of Health. The Centre provides the leadership, governance and delivery capability required to coordinate the programmes included in the HDIP. Bringing together health sector expertise, specialist delivery capability and a consistent approach to planning and implementation, the Centre helps ensure these programmes are delivered safely and effectively, with real benefits for patients, clinicians and communities across New Zealand.

One of the key HDIP portfolios will transform Health NZ's people, finance, procurement and supply chain services which currently operate on ageing, fragmented systems. The portfolio will bring them onto a single, integrated platform to:

• Improve access to information, reduce duplication and manual effort.
• Support more consistent, connected and efficient ways of working.
• Enable better planning and decision-making across Health NZ because manager and clinicians will have a complete picture of workforce, supply and financial information in one place.
• Ensure people, resources and investment can be directed where they are needed most to support the delivery of health services.

About the roles

Health NZ are seeking three experienced Programme Directors to lead major transformation programmes within the portfolio:

• Programme Director - Finance Modernisation
• Programme Director - People & Culture Modernisation
• Programme Director - Procurement & Supply Chain Modernisation

Reporting to the relevant Senior Responsible Owner (SRO), each Programme Director will provide strategic leadership across a complex programme of work. They will be responsible for translating strategic intent into a clear programme roadmap and delivery plan, ensuring future operating models, business processes, organisational change and technology solutions are successfully designed, integrated and implemented. Working closely with business leaders, governance groups, the Centre for Digital Modernisation of Health and delivery partners, the role will lead delivery from programme definition through to implementation, adoption and benefits realisation.

A key focus of the role will be working collaboratively with the other Programme Directors to maintain alignment across interconnected programmes that are governed as one integrated programme, managing complex dependencies, risks and stakeholder relationships, and ensuring delivery remains focused on agreed outcomes while balancing pace, affordability, organisational readiness and long-term value.

The Programme Director will also lead and develop a multidisciplinary programme team, building the capability required to deliver sustainable change across Health NZ. This includes providing oversight of programme governance, investment planning, commercial and delivery partner management, change and adoption activities, and ensuring transparent reporting, sound financial management and effective assurance throughout the programme lifecycle.

What we're looking for

The successful candidates will be accomplished programme leaders and will bring:

• A proven track record of successfully delivering large, complex technology-enabled transformation programmes in large, complex organisations and realising the resulting benefits – including operating model, process, workforce and technology change. We are particularly interested in experience of complexity (such as multiple legacy systems and environments), not just programme size. Public sector experience is an advantage but not essential.
• Exceptional judgement, integrity and accountability, with the ability to navigate complexity and make sound decisions.
• Strong strategic leadership skills and the ability to translate vision into practical delivery outcomes.
• Proven business and organisational change leadership, with the experience to set a clear course, build confidence and guide an organisation through significant transformation, adapting as issues, risks and assumptions change.
• The executive presence and governance capability to engage confidently at Board and executive level, hold the room and drive an agenda with demanding governors and senior leaders.
• A collaborative, influence-led leadership style, with a proven ability to engage stakeholders, balance competing demands and build trusted relationships across executive, operational and delivery groups.
• Strong commercial acumen, including experience managing strategic implementation partners, systems integrators and multiple third-party providers to drive accountability, performance and value, alongside strong governance, risk and financial management capability.
• A background in technology-enabled transformation; ERP implementation experience will be an advantage.
• The ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and foster a high-performing, collaborative culture.
• Curiosity, adaptability and a commitment to continuous improvement and innovation.
• Authentic, values-led leadership with a strong commitment to achieving equitable health outcomes for all New Zealanders.

To learn more about these opportunities, please refer to the Candidate Pack, which includes the position descriptions, engagement details and recruitment timeline.

If you're ready to lead change at national scale and improve how Health NZ supports its people, we'd love to hear from you. Get in touch with us for a confidential discussion or apply today.

Robert Walters endeavours to review all applications in a maximum of five working days. If you have not received correspondence in this timeframe please do not hesitate to contact Sarah Mowbray on +64 4 471 9723.