EXECUTIVE MANAGER PARTNERSHIPS & ENGAGEMENT
CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK
Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network
Hunter New England and Central Coast (HNECC) PHN acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands we walk, reside and work upon. We pay our respects to First Nations people and value the continued connection to culture, country, waterways and contributions made to the life of our vast region.
Executive Summary
- Employer of Choice in the Australian Business Awards 2023 & 2024
- Opportunity to forge new partnerships
- Be a part of leading and innovation across the Primary Health Network
THE OPPORTUNITY
At Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network (HNECCPHN), we are dedicated to improving health outcomes for people in the Hunter New England and Central Coast regions. Our work focuses on strengthening healthcare systems, engaging with communities, and fostering partnerships that make a real difference in people’s lives. As we continue to grow and evolve, we are seeking an experienced and dynamic Executive Manager to lead our Partnerships & Engagement Portfolio and help drive our vision for better health in our region.
THE ROLE
We are looking for a strategic leader to take on the role of Executive Manager, Partnerships & Engagement. This key leadership position will oversee the development, delivery, and operational management of initiatives across business development, marketing, engagement, communications, public relations, continuing professional development education, and emergency & disaster response. The Executive Manager will be responsible for ensuring alignment with the PHN’s strategic objectives and improving health outcomes for our communities.
As part of the Executive team, you will report directly to the CEO, working collaboratively to achieve the PHN’s vision and purpose. You will lead a dedicated team and play a pivotal role in creating and nurturing strong partnerships across healthcare providers, government agencies, and community organisations.
THE CANDIDATE
We are seeking a highly motivated, strategic thinker with a proven track record in senior leadership and health sector management. The ideal candidate will bring:
- Significant experience in executive leadership roles, preferably within the health or community services sector.
- Strong expertise in strategic planning, project management, and operational delivery.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate cross-functional teams.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Proven experience in managing budgets and reporting on financial performance.
- A commitment to improving health outcomes and a passion for community engagement.
- Experience in developing corporate and philanthropic partnerships.
Why Join?
- Impactful Work: Play a key role in improving health outcomes for a diverse and vibrant region.
- Collaborative Environment: Work with a passionate, skilled team of professionals committed to making a difference.
- Career Development: Access to ongoing professional development opportunities.
- Work-Life Balance: Enjoy flexible working arrangements and a supportive workplace culture.
For a confidential discussion, please get in touch with:
Rhodie Miller
HardyGroup Principal Consultant
M. +61 (0)422 816 557
E. [email protected]
The Primary Health Network (PHN) is a not for profit organisation funded by the Commonwealth government to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the primary health care system.
Our Primary Health Network region is vast in geographical terms and diverse in terms of its communities. Covering 130,000 square kilometres, it stretches from the QLD border in the north to Gosford in the south, and west past Narrabri and Gunnedah, and incorporates 23 Local Government Areas. The region has a population of 1.2 million people who live in small rural and remote rural villages, in regional towns and in densely populated urban centres.
Following changes introduced by the Commonwealth government in 2014 the PHN replaced the Central Coast, Hunter and New England Medicare Locals.
The PHN is not a direct provider of services, instead it manages a range of service agreements with organisations to deliver primary health care programs in areas of identified need.
Our Principles
We will deliver better health outcomes that are efficient, effective, equitable and sustainable by:
- 1.Having a whole of system focus that puts people and communities first.
- 2.Being responsive to the diversity of, and differences in, our communities and address health inequalities.
- 3.Helping people understand and care for their own health, and supporting them as partners in a better health system.
- 4.Supporting and being guided by GPs and other clinicians as leaders in a better health system.
- 5.Aiming for the best use of health resources, with locally relevant services that are high quality and cost-effective collaborating with others to enable and coordinate timely and appropriate health care, so that people can stay well in their communities.
Map of the HNECC PHN
What we do
Our Primary Health Network works with health care providers across the Hunter, New England and Central Coast to deliver a range of primary health care services that meet identified needs and close service gaps for people living in our region.
We analyse and integrate information and data to support health planning and health service delivery in our region.
- Learn more about how we plan for better health care.
- Learn more about how we commission services.
Our aims are to:
- Identify & address health needs in our communities
- Support and develop improved health care delivery in the primary care sector
- Develop and implement improved care pathways and models of care
- Commission health services to communities to close service gaps - we are not a service provider
Partners for Change Program
By joining forces, we can drive meaningful change, increase access to primary health care services, and improve the wellbeing of communities across our region. Working with partners from all sectors, the PHN leverages and scales programs to increase equity of access to health care services across the Hunter New England and Central Coast regions.
Partnering with the PHN provides an opportunity to make a positive impact on health systems and outcomes, fulfil social responsibilities, foster innovation, and engage with community.
Our Values:
Respect | We listen to and value the perspectives of others and use them to inform and strengthen everything we do. |
Innovation | We invest in environments that create new and better ways to improve the health system so that people stay well and out of hospital. |
Accountability | We keep our promises, take ownership to get things done and continually improve. When things go wrong, we interact constructively to find solutions. |
Integrity | We employ the highest ethical standards demonstrating honesty, transparency, open communication and fairness in every action that we take. |
Cooperation | We work with others towards common goals, encouraging collaboration, support and compassion. |
Recognition | We will acknowledge and share individual and team achievements and successes. |
Our Vision:
Healthy People and Healthy Communities
Our Purpose:
Increase equity of access to primary care services
Role Specification
The purpose of this role is to support the PHN’s goal of improving health outcomes for people living in the Hunter New England and Central Coast regions.
This position provides leadership for the Partnerships & Engagement Portfolio, which includes strategic development and operational delivery linked to the PHN Strategic Plan, execution of an action plan on time and within budget and motivating and building an effective team. It includes executive leadership of the organisation’s partnership development and engagement strategies.
The Portfolio is responsible for Business Development, Marketing, Engagement & Communications, Public Relations, Continuing Professional Development Education and Emergency & Disaster Response across the PHN.
The position reports to the Chief Executive Officer and works collaboratively with other Executive team members toward achieving the vision and purpose of the PHN. The position will report and provide regular leadership, feedback and reports to the CEO and Board on strategic, financial and operational matters.
Each Executive Manager position carries strategic portfolio responsibilities across the PHN. Additionally, each Executive Manager carries defined day-to-day operational management responsibility for staff working with their allocated communities within the PHN region.
Strategy and Leadership
- Lead the organisation-wide engagement strategy formulation and planning.
- Lead and deliver strategic, philanthropic and commercial partnerships, including identification and development of new partners, and effective implementation of existing partnerships.
- Lead and demonstrate the PHN’s income diversification that serves to increase access to primary care services for communities within the HNECC region.
- Effectively work with the PHN Board, Executive, portfolios and teams across the PHN to incorporate, enhance and complement the breadth of engagement activities.
- Demonstrate the meaning of the PHN values through own behaviour - Respect, Innovation, Accountability, Integrity, Cooperation and Recognition.
- Provide leadership and direction to staff within the Portfolio and ensure that they understand the goals and direction of the PHN and what their part in achieving those goals is.
- Coach and develop staff to help them to achieve their role objectives and career goals by providing regular coaching and two-way feedback.
- Coach, support and develop managers to help them to understand and effectively manage budgets, forecasts and financial management processes in their area of responsibility.
CPD Education
- Strategically manage the delivery of high-quality and evidence-based professional development and continuing education programs that align with strategic priorities across the PHN region.
- Ensure the balanced and timely delivery of a multi-modal CPD offer that supports professional development and continuing education for a wide range of professional and non-professional stakeholder.
- Provide direction for provider education strategies for the PHN, including working closely with clinicians, service providers, local health districts and tertiary education organisations.
- Effectively work with the Executive and PHN teams to support strong prioritisation and provision of CPD education.
Emergency & Disaster Response
- Strategically manage the PHN’s efforts to ensure urgent access to, and coordination of, primary health care services in the event a natural disaster or emergency (noting the PHNs role in disaster response within the NSW Health Services Functional Area Supporting Plan (2024))
- Lead and direct the PHN’s planning for and support in the event of and following disasters and emergencies to ensure rapid re-establishment of general practice, pharmacy, allied health, and dental, where these services have been disrupted, is critical to community functioning and recovery.
- Ensure the enhancement of the PHN’s disaster and emergency management maturity including evaluation of provider preparedness and response capabilities.
- Ensure there are key relationships with emergency response and combat agencies to ensure that a primary care perspective is considered in their planning.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders to develop the preparedness for response to natural disasters and emergencies.
- Contribute appropriate information for reporting of Annual Activity Work Plans and scheduled reporting to the Department of Health, including the review and development as necessary of key performance indicators for inclusion in the relevant program schedules.
- Lead the Emergency Operations Centre response.
Business Development
- Strategically manage the implementation of the PHN’s Diversified Funding Framework to be viewed as a leader amongst PHNs in income diversification and business development.
- Partner with community members, philanthropists, private organisations or governments to ensure additional funds and resources are secured for greater growth and impact in primary care.
- Instil, encourage and create a strong culture of income diversification and raising funds, within the PHN’s definition of the term and related activities, across the PHN including at the Board level.
- Strategically manage the PHN diversified funding program to be self-sustaining with a diverse range of active supporters/contributors and have a strong five-year pipeline of diverse income sources.
- Ensure the attainment sponsorships for the Primary Care Quality and Innovation Awards and other purposes as needed.
Marketing, Engagement, Communications and PR
- Lead and direct the Marketing, Engagement, Communications and Public Relations strategic objectives and ensure operational delivery.
- Work across PHN teams to encourage and create a culture of engagement throughout the organisation.
- Lead the development and ensure implementation of a stakeholder engagement framework, strategy, and plan, taking into consideration the existing stakeholder engagement framework.
- Ensure the development of a brand awareness strategy and appropriate baseline engagement measures.
- Demonstrate the improvement of key stakeholder engagement with the PHN.
- Demonstrate the measurement of customer satisfaction and engagement with PHN programs.
- Ensure the operations and management of the PHN Strategic Engagement Advisory Groups and related strategic engagement activities and events.
- Lead the organisation and delivery of the annual Primary Care Quality and Innovation Awards event.
- Identify opportunities to increase PHN engagement and the PHN profile.
Innovation
- Lead and direct monitoring and reporting on innovation delivery.
- Develop and measure a culture of innovation in the PHN.
- Develop and deliver initiatives to support, share and celebrate primary care innovation.
Work Health and Safety
While at work, a worker must:
- Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and take reasonable care that their acts or omissions do not adversely affect the health and safety of other persons
- Comply so far as the worker is reasonably able, with any reasonable instruction by management and comply with the PHN policies and procedures relating to health and safety
- Proactively address any issues that may adversely affect the health and safety of any persons at the PHN.
- Advocate, support and ensure compliance with the PHN’s Work Health and Safety Program by providing positive leadership, direction, resources and support for the WHS program, and encouraging a culture of cooperation and consultation and responsibilities across the PHN community to ensure a safe and healthy workplace. This includes acquiring and keeping up to date knowledge of WHS matters in relation to the business.
- Tertiary qualification in business or related field
Personal Attributes
- Display resilience and courage (Highly advanced)
- Act with integrity (Highly advanced) - Monitor ethical practices, standards and systems and reinforce their use.
- Manage self (Highly advanced)
- Value Diversity (Highly advanced)
Relationships
- Build strong and sustainable relationships (Highly advanced) - Liaise with senior stakeholders on key issues and provide expert and influential advice.
- Communicates effectively (Highly advanced)
- Work collaboratively (Highly advanced)
- Influence and negotiate (Highly advanced)
Results
- Deliver results (Highly advanced)
- Plan and prioritise (Highly advanced) – Understand the organisation’s current and potential future role within government and the community, and plan appropriately.
- Think and solve problems (Highly advanced)
- Demonstrate accountability (Highly advanced)
Business Enablers
- Finance (advanced)
- Technology (advanced)
- Procurement and contract management (Highly advanced)
- Project management (Highly advanced) – obtain the commitment of key stakeholders to major project strategies, including cross-organisational initiatives, and ensure ongoing communication.
People Management
(if applicable)
- Manage and Develop People (Highly advanced)
- Inspire direction and purpose (Highly advanced) - Champion the organisational vision and strategy and communicate the way forward.
- Optimise business outcomes (highly advanced)
- Manage Change (Highly advanced)
Essential Criteria
- Tertiary qualification in business or related field
- Proven knowledge and experience in stakeholder relationship management and partnership development
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.
- Effectively lead and manage teams, including developing teams characterised by open discussion, teamwork, positive morale and a focus on results
- Demonstrated ability in successfully developing proposals for new projects and funding submissions
- Demonstrated ability in developing proposals for new projects, or funding submissions.
- High level communication and presentation skills, including an ability to write clearly and succinctly for various audiences.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience with or knowledge of Not for Profit entities.
- Sound understanding of general practice and primary health care systems in Australia.
- Sound understanding of the current health reform agenda.
The Executive Manager Partnerships & Engagement will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer.
- Direct Reports:
- Business Development Manager
- Marketing and Engagement Manager
- Manager, Professional Development and Continuing Education
- Manager, Disaster and Emergency Coordination
The total remuneration package range is from $170,000 - $190,000 plus super.
Additional benefits:
- Hybrid model of working from the office and home
- Professional development / education & training opportunities.
- Corporate fitness program (Fitness Passport - access to 650 gyms & swimming pool facilities).
- Health & Wellbeing Initiatives including Pride in Health & Wellbeing membership.
- Safe driver training.
- Salary packaging up to $15,900 and up to $2,650 of pre-tax income can be used to pay for entertainment expenses (meals, holiday accommodation)
- Additional 5 days paid leave for family & community responsibilities
- Additional 3 days paid leave between the Christmas and New Year period.
- Ability to purchase additional 2 weeks leave.
- Employer of Choice 2023 & 2024
Service Location: Location Flexible – Erina, Newcastle, Tamworth or Armidale.
If applicable, special conditions such as but not limited to include:
- Some out of hours work on evenings and weekends will be required (e.g. attendance at community forums or meetings or in emergency & disaster response situations) for which flexible working hours may be negotiated with manager. In the event of large scale and catastrophic disaster events this role will be required to be available.
- Work related travel & overnight stays across the Central Coast, Hunter and New England regions will be required in order to undertake this role. The use of teleconferencing and video conferencing is available, however these modes of communication may not always fit the purpose of the role.
- Regular travel required including overnight travel
The closing date for applications is Monday, 27 January 2025
The reference number to include in your application is H24_4991
Note: Please use the online platform to submit your application. It will not be accepted via email.
If you require assistance in submitting your application online, please get in touch with Executive Search Coordinator, Bradie Hammat: M: +61 (0)417 882 900 / E: [email protected]
Your application must include:
- 1.Cover letter addressed to the Principal Consultant;
- 2.A written response addressing the selection criteria; and
- 3.An up to date copy of your Curriculum Vitae.
It Is standard practice for HardyGroup to acknowledge receipt of your application no later than the next business day. We request that if you do not receive the acknowledgement, you contact the search coordinator listed above as soon as possible after the 24-hour business period and arrange to resend your application if necessary.
For a confidential discussion, please contact:
Rhodie Miller
HardyGroup Principal Consultant
M. +61 (0)422 816 557
E. [email protected]
LIVING AND WORKING IN THE HUNTER, NEW ENGLAND AND CENTRAL COAST REGION
The Hunter, New England and Central Coast region of New South Wales encompasses a rich and varied landscape, blending coastal living, rural charm, and the vibrancy of regional hubs. Spanning some of the most iconic areas of the state, it offers a diversity of experiences and a welcoming sense of community.
The Central Coast, with its stunning beaches and network of pristine waterways, offers an exceptional natural setting. The area is rich in outdoor activities, from coastal walks and surfing to kayaking in Brisbane Water National Park. Beyond its natural appeal, the Central Coast has a strong sense of community, complemented by accessible schools, modern healthcare services, and thriving town centres. Local events, farmers’ markets, and cultural festivals bring people together, creating a dynamic and inclusive atmosphere. With a balance of tranquillity and connectivity to Sydney and Newcastle, the Central Coast is an inviting place to call home.
Gosford Waterfront
The Hunter is a region defined by its diversity, blending natural beauty, heritage, and contemporary living. Newcastle, with its harbour and coastline, combines a relaxed lifestyle with vibrant cultural, dining, and recreational offerings. The Hunter Valley is an internationally recognised wine region, known for its cellar doors and gourmet experiences set against rolling vineyards. Across the region, a network of smaller towns and rural communities offers a balance of local charm and essential services. Scenic locations such as Lake Macquarie and the Barrington Tops create opportunities for outdoor adventures, making the Hunter a place where nature and community intersect.
Bar Beach, Newcastle
The New England region’s landscape is shaped by its cooler climate, four distinct seasons, and dramatic natural features. Towns like Tamworth, Armidale, and Glen Innes are known for their welcoming communities and rich cultural heritage. Tamworth, celebrated as the home of Australian country music, also boasts a thriving agricultural sector and lively regional events. Armidale offers a mix of heritage architecture and modern educational and cultural facilities, while Glen Innes is steeped in Celtic history. The region is also home to World Heritage-listed national parks, waterfalls, and outdoor recreation areas that attract nature lovers and adventurers.
The Big Golden Guitar, Tamworth
The Hunter, New England, and Central Coast region provides a unique opportunity to embrace a varied and fulfilling lifestyle. Whether along the coastline, in a bustling regional centre, or among the rolling hills of the countryside, the region is rich with experiences and a strong sense of community.
ABOUT US
HardyGroup’s (HG) mission is simple
Find and Grow Great Leaders - and we have been doing exactly that for more than 30 years in public and private health, primary, community and aged care as well as the broader public service.
Our synergistic business model of Executive Search and Recruitment integrated with Executive Leadership and Learning is our unique point of difference.
It ensures our clients can count on us for the lifecycle of their organisations leadership journey and why we are regarded as the leading trans-Tasman partner agency by clients.
When engaging HG you can be confident in a deeply personalised experience and service as nothing matters more to us than relationships and results.