CHIEF EXECUTIVE
CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK
Mid North Coast
Local Health District
We respect and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and commit to building a brighter future together
Executive Summary
- Contemporary and inspirational leader
- Proven ability to create and enable a vibrant organisational culture
- Committed to the provision of exceptional service to patients and the community
THE OPPORTUNITY
Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD) extends from the Port Macquarie-Hastings Local Government Area in the south, to Coffs Harbour Local Government Area in the north and provides an extensive range of healthcare services across a geographic area of approximately 11,335 square kilometres.
With a budget of approximately $890M and a team of approximately 5,500, services are delivered through seven public hospitals and twelve community health centres. These services include the Mid North Coast Cancer Institute and Mid North Coast Brain Injury Service.
The MNCLHD Board, and the Secretary New South Wales Health, now seek to appoint an exceptional new Chief Executive.
THE CANDIDATE PROFILE
The Chief Executive provides pivotal and strategic leadership, direction and management of the MNCLHD and also contributes to meeting the wider strategic aims of New South Wales Health. With the Board, the Chief Executive is responsible for ensuring the district fulfils its statutory obligations and provides agreed services within budget to specified performance standards.
The broader range of skills, capabilities and attributes to be considered as an applicant for this significant leadership role are detailed in the information pack to follow but can be summarised as:
- Strong record of achievement in management at executive level in a significant and geographically dispersed organisation delivering health, human or other complex services
- Proven track record of effective operational management at a senior level
- Proven experience in leading improvement in organisational performance across clinical service delivery and corporate functions in a complex health service
- Demonstrated knowledge of the health sector, in particular administration of the public health system.
We invite you to discuss this exceptional leadership opportunity with Paul Ingle from the HardyGroup M: +61 (0)402 796 125 / E: [email protected]
Mid North Coast Local Health District
We provide a broad range of public health services to our community through seven public hospitals, and twelve community health centres. These services include the Mid North Coast Cancer Institute and Mid North Coast Brain Injury Service.
Our Values
Our workplaces strive to make continuous improvement to workplace culture, embodying NSW Health’s CORE values of Collaboration, Openness, Respect and Empowerment.
Collaboration
We are committed to working collaboratively with each other to achieve the best possible outcomes for our patients who are at the centre of everything we do. In working collaboratively we acknowledge that every person working in the health system plays a valuable role that contributes to achieving the best possible outcomes.
Openness
A commitment to openness in our communications builds confidence and greater cooperation. We are committed to encouraging our patients and all people who work in the health system to provide feedback that will help us provide better services.
Respect
We have respect for the abilities, knowledge, skills and achievements of all people who work in the health system. We are also committed to providing health services that acknowledge and respect the feelings, wishes and rights of our patients and their carers.
Empowerment
In providing quality health care services we aim to ensure our patients are able to make well informed and confident decisions about their care and treatment.
Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD) extends from the Port Macquarie-Hastings Local Government Area in the south to Coffs Harbour Local Government Area in the north and provides healthcare services across a geographic area of approximately 11,335 square kilometres.
Traditional custodians of the land covered by the District are the Gumbaynggirr, Dunghutti, Birpai and Nganyaywana nations. It is estimated that more than 231,346 residents live within the District. People of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage make up 8.2 per cent of the population, compared to 2.9 percent* for all NSW.
An estimated 13 per cent of residents were born overseas. Coffs Harbour has a growing number of refugees settling in the area. The main refugee communities include Afghani, Sudanese, Burmese, Congolese, Togolese, Sierra Leone, Ethiopian, Eritrean and Somali. Smaller numbers of migrants also reside in Laurieton, Wauchope and Port Macquarie. Over the next decade, the District’s population is expected to increase by about seven per cent. The largest increases are being projected for the Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie-Hastings local government areas.
The main health issues facing the District are mental health illnesses, cancer rates and chronic age-related illnesses such as cardiac, pulmonary, diabetes, renal disease and dementia.
The Mid North Coast also has significant groups of disadvantaged people, including Aboriginal people and refugees, people on low incomes, and people living in small, isolated communities. All of these groups are at risk of poorer health outcome behaviours and risk factors such as increasing weight and obesity, low levels of physical activity, poor diet, and the number of
people who continue to smoke.
Role Specification
The Chief Executive has substantial day-to-day autonomy in directing and managing the LHD’s activities and deploying its resources within the overall budget allocation. This includes the resolution of local industrial problems and the creation of jobs (including setting their grading) and appointment of senior staff.
The overall budget for the LHD is determined by the Minister for Health on advice from the Ministry of Health. Expenditure authorisation is unlimited within the approved budget and subject to fiscal, accounting, governance and other conditions established by Government and any conditions determined under the governance arrangements with the Board.
The approval and budget for major capital projects is also determined by the Government.
Provide effective leadership and management of the LHD to ensure the effective performance of its statutory functions, systems are in place to comply with WHS and other statutory obligations, and that the LHD has the capacity, structure and practices to enable it to:
- operate within its allocated budget
- meet Ministry of Health creditor and other financial KPIs
- provide timely and accurate reporting to the Ministry on current financial status and workforce data
- provide timely, accurate annual reporting and preparation of financia
- statements and high quality electronic financial data for submission to the Audit Office
- Oversee the implementation of effective clinical and corporate governance frameworks, ensuring the Board receives sufficient timely and accurate information to enable it to discharge its role in the governance of the LHD, and that clinical governance systems are in place to ensure that the services of the LHD’s facilities meet the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards and continually improve patient outcomes.
- Lead the negotiation of the LHD Service Agreement with the NSW Government, implement the agreement and other NSW Government priority policies and programs, report on performance against the agreed performance monitoring measures in the Service Agreement, and ensure that the Board is fully consulted and briefed.
- Drive a culture of continuous improvement across the LHD to delivery on the organisation’s objectives, relating to workforce culture and workforce initiatives, financial and service delivery efficiencies, quality and standards.
- Lead future-focused strategic and operational planning encompassing the development of workforce, financial and business plans, clinical services plans and capital works programs to ensure accountability and efficient provision of health services and the long term operational and financial viability of the LHD.
- Lead the establishment and maintenance of effective systems endorsed by the Board to ensure that the LHD’s resources are applied equitably to meet the needs of the community and that community and clinicians’ views are considered in decision making within the LHD.
- Lead the development and strengthening of clinical linkages, clinical innovation and knowledge translation within the LHD, between LHDs, and across our Healthcare partners to ensure resources are used on an effective and equitable basis for the benefit of the people of NSW; and develop structures to ensure greater involvement by local communities and clinicians.
- Effectively contribute to the delivery of health services across the State by working with other LHDs and the Ministry of Health in planning streamlined administrative structures across the State to deliver additional resources for direct patient care; to support and contribute to broader regional and Statewide clinical service networks; and develop and maintain linkages with health organisations and administrative entities of the NSW public health system.
- Drive enhanced health outcomes through developing and strengthening linkages with partner agencies such as the Public Health Networks, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and the Aged Care and Disability Sector to maximise health outcomes for the community of the Mid North Coast.
View the full scope of these in the Position Description.
- Strong record of achievement in management at executive level in a significant and geographically dispersed organisation delivering health, human or other complex services
- Proven track record of effective operational management at a senior level
- Proven experience in leading improvement in organisational performance across clinical service delivery and corporate functions in a complex health service
- Demonstrated knowledge of the health sector, in particular administration of the public health system.
The Chief Executive is accountable to the Board for giving effect to the annual LHD Service Agreement and its effective planning and implementation for the LHD.
This includes maintaining effective clinical governance processes and systems within the LHD, meeting the LHD’s public reporting requirements, providing effective consultative mechanisms in relation to LHD activities and decisions, disseminating information and responding to inquiries about LHD activities and issues of public interest or importance.
The Chief Executive is also accountable to the Minister of Health and Secretary Health, with the Board, in the governance of the LHD and for ensuring an effective contribution by the LHD to the NSW public health system.
As a member of the NSW Health Executive Service in the service of the Crown, the Chief Executive is accountable to the Secretary for the proper exercise of functions delegated by the Secretary including the
effective management of employees of the NSW Health Service and the provision of safe, fair and mutually respectful workplaces within the LHD.
Internal
Executives and Key Staff and Clinicians
External
LHD Board
Ministry of Health
Chief Executives LHDs
Hospital Clinical Councils/Lead Clinicians Groups
Local Community Organisations and Stakeholders
Chief Executive, HealthShare NSW & Chief Executive, eHealth NSW
Chief Executive, Health Infrastructure
NSW Health Pillar Organisations
Academic Institutions
Employee/ Employer Organisations
Health Care Complaints Commission, Ombudsman and other Government accountability agencies
- Leading in a highly demanding and complex environment with front-line exposure to a multiplicity of stakeholders and vested interests, including operating under the close scrutiny of public and media groups, politicians, representatives of health workers and other lobby groups.
- Ensuring the health service plan for the local population is implemented appropriately, so that residents are able to access appropriate treatment when needed and as close as possible to where they live, in the face of significant national and international workforce supply issues within the health sector.
- Operating within budget, while at the same time meeting the growth in demand for health services and being responsive to the changing needs and priorities of the community.
Tertiary qualification/s in a relevant discipline or equivalent relevant discipline.
Service Location: Port Macquarie or Coffs Harbour,
To be discussed
MNCLHD Expense Budget: Approx $885,195,000
Staffing: 5,500
Remuneration: Band 3
To be discussed with HG Principal
Consultant
The closing date for applications is Sunday, 23rd February 2025
The reference number to include in your application is H25_5013
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, Aldie Zuñiga: M: +61 (0)494 101 082 / E: [email protected]
Your application must include:
- 1.A cover letter addressed to the Principal Consultant that includes a brief response addressing the key selection criteria; and
- 2.A specific response to the following targeted questions:
- The Purpose Statement of the Mid North Coast Local Health District is To deliver safe, effective, sustainable services that protect and improve the health and wellbeing of our Mid North Coast community. What about this statement has resonance for you and why is that?
- Implementing a strategic plan while meeting multiple operational KPIs and budget deliverables can be challenging. Describe your experience in developing a change ready organisational culture and what you personally pay attention to as a leader to get the balance right.
- 3.An up to date copy of your Curriculum Vitae.
As guidance, your response to the two targeted questions should be no longer than 1 – 2 pages.
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:
Paul Ingle
HardyGroup Chief Executive Officer
M. +61 (0)402 796 125
E. [email protected]
LIVING AND WORKING IN
PORT MACQUARIE AND COFFS HARBOUR
Port Macquarie, located on Australia’s beautiful Mid North Coast, combines rich history with a vibrant coastal lifestyle. Named after New South Wales Governor Lachlan Macquarie, it was first established as a penal settlement in 1821. By 1830, the area opened to settlers, and a few years later, the penal colony closed. Although the early population remained below 1,000, today, Port Macquarie is home to around 50,000 people and is projected to be the fastest-growing population in New South Wales over the next decade.
Living in Port Macquarie means joining a close-knit community in a town known for its scenic beaches, warm climate, and endless outdoor activities. The lifestyle here appeals to families, retirees, and professionals alike, offering a safe, friendly environment with plenty of natural beauty and sunny days to enjoy.
Unlike larger cities like Perth and Sydney, Port Macquarie has a less diverse mix of languages and cultures. About 80% of the population is Australian-born, and around 90% of residents speak only English at home. Common countries of origin for foreign-born residents include England, New Zealand, Scotland, Germany, and South Africa, with languages such as Spanish, French, German, and Mandarin spoken by some residents.
Whether you’re a retiree looking for relaxation, a family wanting a safe and community-focused area, or a professional moving to Port Macquarie for work, this town offers something for everyone.
Living in Coffs Harbour means being part of a population of 78,000 with all the advantages of city living, but in a beautiful coastal or rural village setting.
In 2022, the City of Coffs Harbour is experiencing unprecedented demand for housing and with it’s population predicted to rocket past 100,000 by 2030, it seems Coffs Harbour has become one of NSW most desirable locales for a ‘sea’, ‘tree’ and ‘me’ change.
Coffs Harbour is a great place to raise a family. In addition to world class education and medical facilities, plus excellent air, road and rail links, the city boasts a wonderful climate and outdoor lifestyle.
City of Coffs Harbour is actively involved with the community in creating an engaged, thriving and vibrant community and we are very pleased that you have chosen to be part of it.
Boasting average temperatures of around 13-25 degrees and an average annual rainfall of 1688 mm, Coffs Harbour has been assessed by the CSIRO as having the most liveable climate in Australia. Long renowned as a haven for holiday makers from across Australia and the world, this sub-tropical region is far from the hustle and bustle of a big city life and there’s never been higher demand to live, work and play on the Coffs Coast.
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.