Designer jobs

• Work anywhere in New Zealand
• Permanent, Full-time

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

The Senior Service Designer plays a key role in shaping the strategic direction and practice of Service Design within Digital Health Strategy and Design at Health New Zealand. The role leads and facilitates the design and improvement of products and services using a human-centred, co-design approach, bringing together people, processes, and technology to deliver better experiences and outcomes for people, whānau, and communities while supporting operational efficiency and business sustainability.

Working collaboratively with stakeholders, the Service Designer identifies opportunities, conducts research, develops insights, and translates complex needs into practical service solutions. The role uses design thinking, journey mapping, service blueprints, and evidence-based testing to validate solutions, guide decision-making, and ensure services are desirable, feasible, and sustainable. It also promotes innovation, continuous improvement, and the adoption of effective service design practices across the organisation.

About the Team/Service/ Location

The Senior Service Designer works within Digital Health Strategy and Design, contributing to the development and improvement of digital health services that align with Health New Zealand's strategic direction and Government priorities. The team works across organisational boundaries to understand service challenges, identify opportunities, and design solutions that respond to the needs of people, whānau, communities, and health sector professionals.

The role partners with senior leaders, project and programme teams, internal business units, health sector workers, community representatives, and external providers to deliver effective and inclusive services. Collaboration with Hauora Māori Services and Pacific Health is important to ensure Māori and Pacific voices, aspirations, and perspectives inform service design. The work is grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi, equity, cultural responsiveness, and a commitment to improving health outcomes for all communities.

About you

You will bring at least seven years of experience in Service Design or a related discipline, preferably within large public or private sector organisations. You will have a relevant bachelor's degree and graduate diploma in human-centred design or equivalent extensive experience. You will demonstrate strong knowledge of service design principles and the ability to apply human-centred methods, including co-design, design thinking, journey mapping, process mapping, wireframing, and service blueprinting, to develop and validate effective solutions.

You will be a confident communicator and collaborative problem-solver who can build trusted relationships, influence stakeholders, and present complex information clearly to diverse audiences. You will demonstrate an understanding of the health sector, government priorities, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and equitable health outcomes, alongside a willingness to learn and apply tikanga Māori and Te Ao Māori approaches to design. You will also be adaptable, proactive, and committed to innovation, continuous professional development, and managing risk and change effectively.

Skills and experience

• Have at least seven years of experience in Service Design or UX related roles within large organisations.
• Hold a relevant bachelor's degree and graduate diploma in human-centred design or have equivalent extensive experience.
• Demonstrate strong knowledge of Service Design principles and their application to customer and business value.
• Have experience using co-design, design thinking, service blueprints, journey mapping, wireframing, and process mapping.
• Demonstrate research, facilitation, and solution-validation skills to develop effective, evidence-based services.
• Possess excellent communication, presentation, stakeholder engagement, and relationship management skills.
• Demonstrate critical thinking, adaptability, collaborative problem-solving, and the ability to manage competing priorities, risk, and change.

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.

How to Apply

To apply please click “apply now.” All applications must be submitted through our online careers' portal by 11 November. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Roshni George at roshni.george@tewhatuora.govt.nz.