Head of Advisory

Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora - Southern – Wellington Central, North Island Permanent, full-time position based in Wellington. Applications open for current Health New Zealand employees only. Lead enterprise-wide strategic advisory services at the heart of New Zealand's largest public sector organisation. A unique executive leadership opportunity to shape organisational performance, influence system-wide decision-making, and provide trusted advice to senior leaders, the Board, and Ministers. 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 the Head of Advisory, you'll lead the enterprise Advisory Services function within Business & Governance Services, providing strategic leadership and trusted advice on matters requiring organisation-wide coordination, executive judgement, and system-wide thinking. You'll play a pivotal role in strengthening organisational performance, governance, and accountability while supporting Health New Zealand to operate as a cohesive, high-performing organisation. This is a highly influential leadership role where you'll work closely with the Executive Leadership Team, Board, Ministers, and senior leaders across the organisation to coordinate strategic advice, oversee enterprise performance and governance processes, and provide assurance across major organisational priorities. You'll lead cross-functional work on complex and politically sensitive issues, support major reform programmes, Cabinet papers, Budget processes, and investment decisions, while proactively identifying emerging strategic, operational, and reputational risks. Leading a team of experienced advisors, you'll foster a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and high-quality advisory practice. Your ability to bring together diverse perspectives, navigate complexity, and provide clear, evidence-based advice will directly contribute to the successful delivery of Health New Zealand's strategic objectives and ultimately improve health outcomes for communities across Aotearoa. About you You'll bring extensive public sector advisory experience, exceptional strategic judgement, and a proven ability to influence outcomes in complex operating environments. Extensive senior advisory and leadership experience within the public sector, ideally in health or another large, complex service delivery environment. Proven success leading cross-functional, high-profile, and politically sensitive programmes of work at an enterprise level. Exceptional strategic thinking, governance, and risk management capability, with the ability to balance competing priorities and navigate complexity. A demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships and influence Executive Leadership Teams, Boards, Ministers, and senior stakeholders. A relevant tertiary qualification and a passion for developing high-performing teams and delivering high-quality strategic advice. Working for 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. Applications open for current Health New Zealand employees only. Deadline: 11:59PM Tuesday 28 July 2026 #J-18808-Ljbffr