Programme Manager

The Government wishes to ensure that Aotearoa New Zealand has world-class research capability in place to respond to infectious disease threats into the futuretoImprove preparedness for future pandemics.

Following thesuccess of thefirst phase offundingthenext phase of the Infectious Diseases Research Platformhosted by PHF Science with an investment of $75 million over seven and a half yearswillallowfor longer-term approaches and the opportunity to grow a pipeline of researchers.

This phase of the Infectious Diseases Research Platform (IDRP) aims to:

• Significantly increase New Zealands economic and social resilience to infectious disease threats

• Grow infectious disease science leaders and research capability

• Build science surge capability able to support an effective pandemic response

• Coordinateinfectious disease research capability across the platform and with end-users to increase the impact of the research

• Work closely with Australian researchers

• and build on the Governmentspreviousinvestments in infectious disease research and research capability in support of resilience.

Tetūnga The role

The Programme Manageris a leadership role thatwillbe responsible forthe overallstrategic andoperational managementof the Infectious Disease Research Platform including financial and resource managementscience strategy developmentand the relationship and reporting to MBIE.Thisposition wouldbe an idealfit forsomeone withprogramme management experience a depth of science knowledge and research experienceandstrong relationship skills.

Responsibilities include:

• ProvidingProgramme Leadership supportto the Director and Platform Steering group

• Managing the day-to-day Platform activities

• Coordinatingthetransitionand implementation of strategic planning processes and policiesfor the next phase of the IDRP.Thiswillincludetaking asharedlead indevelopingscience strategyandestablishingtheselection criteriafor research applications that meet the goals of the funder.

• Responsible forthe development and administration of financial systems and annual budgets

• Ensure that the reporting requirements of the Funder (MBIE) are met through liaising with Platform researchers to co-ordinate and receive project reports

• Maintaining effective relationships with thePlatform hostPlatform personnel and researchers internal and external stakeholdergroupsand partner institutions

Note:This is a fixed term position until27 February 2027to support the transition to next phase of the IDRP.Our preference is for this role and the platform hub to be based in Wellington at our Kenepuruoffice;howeverwe are open to the right candidate being based ateither of our Auckland or Christchurch offices.The role will involve travel within New Zealand to meet with relevant stakeholders and groups.

Kiaangitukoe About you

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Senior level professional programme management experienceideallyin a scientific research environment

• Strong operational management experience within a complex service environment supported by solid financial acumen

• Strongknowledge of and experience of health researchand science

• Literacy inteTiritio Waitangi and VisionMātaurangapolicy

• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.

• Self-starter attributes including the ability toinitiate act independently and to work in settime frames.

• A professional accountable proactive and service orientated approach.

Ngāpainga The benefits

• Flexible working options to support balancing work and non-work commitments.

• Four weeks annual leave plus twoadditionalannual leave days and threeadditionalPHF Sciencedays (usually the three days between Christmas and New Years Eve)

• 15 days sick leaveand service leave provisions after five years

• Annual volunteer day to support an organisation or issue you care about in the community.

• Free annual flu vaccinations

• Life insurance and physical loss benefit

• Subsidised Southern Crossinsurance & access to special retail discounts.

• Access to Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) a confidential and free counselling service.

MōmātouAboutUs

PHF Science (formerly ESR) is a New Zealand Public Research Organisation (PRO) dedicated to the healthsafetyand wellbeing of our communities.

We provide expert leadershipresearchand science services to enhance our public health and justice systems and power innovations and solutions to help New Zealand prosper and grow.

With four locations across Aotearoa New Zealand from Auckland to Christchurch and Wellington (Kenepuru andWallaceville) our work means New Zealanders can feel confident that disease outbreaks and environmental risks to health are monitored and managed and the impact of drug harm in the community is reduced and we live in a society where justice is supported by trustworthy evidence.

We are an accredited Living Wage employer and value our people providing excellent environment for fostering and developing our people in a values-drivenflexibleand ever-evolving landscape. We are committed to sustainability and are proud to have received ourToitūCarbonreduceCertification.

Tonomai Apply Now

We encourage applications from those with an understanding of or a willingness to develop their capability in TeTiritio Waitangi tikanga Māori and/ortereoMāori.

If you would like to request a full position description pleaseget in touch with

Applications closeon 23 January 2026.

Clickapply tosubmityour application. Please ensure you upload a cover letter andCV outlining your interest and relevant skills for this opportunity.

We will be back in touch once advertising closes andapplications have been reviewed.

PHF Scienceis an equal opportunity employer and committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. Your unique talents and experience will help us deliver exceptional services to New Zealand. We look forward to your application.

If youdontmeet every requirement in this position description pleasedontexclude yourself. Studiesindicatethat women and other individuals from under-represented groups often only apply when they satisfy all the criteria. We focus on recruiting individuals who share our core values of Mahi Rangatira (Our quality counts) Mahitahi(our team spirit) Mahi Auaha (we push boundaries) Mahi Pono (we do the right thing). If these values resonate with you we encourage you tosubmityour application.

PHF Scienceis committed to developing a diverse inclusiveequitableworkplace where people feel they belong. We believe this is the right thing to do but we also believe it is a worthwhile commitment that makes our organisation stronger and more capable through building on our diversity of thinking enabling us to better understand the needs of our stakeholders and people and respond effectively to them. An inclusive environment means the diverse perspectives we have are more likely to be expressed heard and acted on.

Please note the successful applicant willbe requiredto complete a pre-employment drug-screen and police records check as conditions of employment.