System Design Manager, Mental Health - Planning, Funding and Outcomes

System Design Manager, Mental Health - Planning, Funding and Outcomes

Permanent, full-time | Based in either New Plymouth, Hamilton, Rotorua, Tauranga or Gisborne

Lead the design and planning of integrated mental health services across Te Manawa Taki, influencing regional strategy and improving outcomes for communities

Work alongside sector partners, consumers, wh?nau, clinicians, and Health NZ teams to co-design innovative service solutions

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

This is an influential role, critical for shaping the future of integrated mental health services. You will be the primary design and planning lead for the regional mental health portfolio, responsible for ensuring regional consistency and strategic direction.

Working autonomously and leveraging your expert problem-solving skills, you will lead the co-design and management of regional mental health service solutions alongside other teams and external stakeholders. This role requires strategic vision, strong planning and design skills, and commitment to health equity.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Regional Strategy & Oversight: Lead the regional strategic roadmap for service redesign, ensuring consistency in approach, planning, and delivery across sub-regional teams.
• Partnering: Support the Funding & Integration teams with their critical funding and integration design requirements for mental health.
• Integrated Model Design: Lead the planning and design of integrated models of care that directly impact and improve health outcomes for consumers.
• Partnership & Co-Design: Lead and cultivate strong, trusting relationships with the sector, consumers, wh?nau, clinicians, and other Health NZ teams to co-design and implement funding and service solutions.
• Policy & Influence: Represent your portfolio at national and regional forums, actively shaping policy and influencing the strategic direction of commissioning.
• Expert Advice: Provide advanced analytical advice, contribute to briefings and reports (e.g., Ministerial briefings, OIAs)
• Change Management: Support the change management processes associated with major investment and disinvestment decisions, ensuring effective implementation and risk mitigation.

About You

You are a strategic and systems thinker with a passion for transforming healthcare and positively impacting patients. A natural collaborator, you thrive on tackling complex, high-impact challenges and driving meaningful change across organisations and communities.

What You Will Bring

• 5-10 years of progressive experience in health commissioning, strategic planning, or system/service redesign within a complex healthcare environment.
• Proficient in system design methodologies, service design thinking, and programme/portfolio management.
• Advanced Analytical and Conceptual Thinking: Proven ability to interpret complex data, develop strategic insights, and make high-impact decisions autonomously.
• Political Acumen: Highly developed negotiation and influencing skills, capable of navigating complex organisational and inter-agency dynamics.
• Exceptional Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to build and leverage strong, trusting partnerships with both internal colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Strategic Vision: Ability to conceptualise, articulate, and implement a clear strategic vision for regional health system transformation.
• Commitment to Equity: A strong drive to improve health outcomes, reduce health inequalities, and promote equitable access to care for all New Zealanders.

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 M?ori, 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, 16 June 2026. For further information, please contact Jenita Spencer on jenita.spencer@tewhatuora.govt.nz

Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change, affected kaimahi will be given preference and priority for this position.

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