EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
STRATEGY, PLANNING AND INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES
CAIRNS AND HINTERLAND HOSPITAL AND HEALTH SERVICE
CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK
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Executive Summary
- Lead strategy, planning and major capital infrastructure across a complex and high-impact regional health service
- Work directly with the Chief Executive and Executive Leadership Team to shape long-term system performance and sustainability
- Play a pivotal role in aligning future service models with significant infrastructure investment and community need
- Enjoy an exceptional Far North Queensland lifestyle while delivering meaningful outcomes for diverse and remote communities
THE OPPORTUNITY
Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service is a leading regional health provider delivering comprehensive services to a population of more than 250,000 people, while also supporting remote communities across Cape York and the Torres Strait. The service operates an extensive network of facilities across a vast geographical footprint and plays a critical role as the primary referral centre for Far North Queensland. Like many contemporary health systems, the organisation is navigating increasing demand, workforce pressures, and the need to align infrastructure and service models with changing community needs and government priorities. This role has been established to provide executive leadership across strategy, planning and infrastructure, ensuring the organisation’s future directions are underpinned by robust evidence, sustainable investment and integrated service design. Working at the centre of executive decision-making, the position is integral to delivering the organisation’s strategic plan, guiding major capital investment and strengthening long-term system performance.
THE ROLE
The Executive Director Strategy, Planning and Infrastructure Services reports to the Chief Executive and leads a significant portfolio encompassing service planning, capital infrastructure and strategic development. The role provides authoritative advice to the Executive Leadership Team on capital planning and delivery, ensuring major infrastructure programs are planned, governed and executed to achieve agreed outcomes across time, cost and quality. It leads the development of long-term service plans aligned to population demand, workforce capability and models of care, while integrating these with infrastructure investment and organisational strategy.
The position is accountable for overseeing complex capital projects, including the analysis of delivery options, risk management, stakeholder engagement and compliance with government frameworks, while ensuring projects support clinical service delivery and future growth. In parallel, the role drives strategic planning cycles, including the preparation and execution of multi-year strategic and operational plans, and provides oversight of sustainability initiatives, accommodation planning and organisational priorities. Working closely with clinicians, executives, government agencies and external partners, the Executive Director fosters strong relationships to enable integrated planning, supports major negotiations and represents the organisation at senior forums. Leadership of multidisciplinary teams and external providers is a key component of the position, ensuring high performance, effective governance and continuous improvement across the portfolio.
The Executive Director Strategy, Planning and Infrastructure Services will play a central role in readying the organisation for a historic $1bn investment underway to create a leading health research and innovation precinct—ensuring it is strategically, operationally and culturally positioned to fully realise this opportunity.
THE CANDIDATE
The successful candidate will be an accomplished senior executive with deep experience in complex health or related service environments, bringing a strong track record in leading strategic planning, infrastructure programs or large-scale organisational initiatives. A demonstrated capacity to operate confidently at executive and system level will be critical, with the ability to provide clear, evidence-based advice in environments shaped by competing priorities, policy considerations and resource constraints. Experience delivering measurable improvements in organisational performance, guiding major projects or service reforms, and leading high-performing teams through complexity and change will be essential. You will demonstrate strong interpersonal capability, enabling effective engagement with clinicians, executives, government stakeholders and Boards while building trusted relationships and aligning diverse interests to achieve outcomes. Personal qualities such as integrity, resilience and adaptability will be complemented by a pragmatic, analytical approach to problem-solving and decision-making. An individual motivated by the opportunity to shape service and infrastructure outcomes will find significant scope to apply their expertise in delivering meaningful, system-wide impact across a diverse and regionally significant community.
For a confidential discussion, please get in touch with:
Sarah Buckler, HardyGroup Principal Search Consultant
M. +61 429 486 740
E. sbuckler@hardygroupintl.com
CAIRNS AND HINTERLAND HOSPITAL AND HEALTH SERVICE
“By 2026 Queenslanders will be among the healthiest people in the world.”
The Cairns and Hinterland HHS (CHHHS) is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of all people in Far North Queensland by providing high quality acute healthcare services. The staff are a part of the community we serve, and the HHS strongly believes that health outcomes are enhanced by involving the community in the planning and evaluation of local health services.
CHHHS is the primary provider of health services to residents of the Cairns and Hinterland region and specialist services to the Torres and Cape and serves a population of approx. 261,500 people which is forecast to increase to over 306,600 by 2031. Services are provided over a large geographical area and a range of facilities, from a large tertiary hospital in Cairns to facilities in rural and remote areas.
Cairns Hospital is the primary provider of specialised and referral services for the region, with broader general surgical, medical and primary care services provided at other facilities across the Tablelands, Innisfail and Mossman/Port Douglas areas. CHHHS also provides an extensive range of health services in more than 30 regional, rural and remote facilities across a geographical area of 142,900 square kilometres. The Health Service is 95 percent self-sufficient with only a small number of high-level acute services being provided in Townsville and Brisbane. The Local Government Areas within the Service area are Cairns Regional Council, Croydon Shire Council, Etheridge Shire Council, Mareeba Shire Council, Tablelands Regional Council, Yarrabah Shire Council and Cassowary Coast Regional Council (except the community of Cardwell which is serviced from the Townsville HHS).
Queensland Health’s vision
By 2026 Queenslanders will be among the healthiest people in the world.
Our Vision
Excellence in healthcare, wellbeing, research, and education in Far North Queensland.
Our purpose
We work together, with our community, providing healthcare services to improve health and wellbeing in Far North Queensland.
Our Values
The staff and patients at Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service have helped develop a set of shared values that guide our behaviours and decision making in our workplaces. These values underpin our daily work, the strategies of our Health Service and help deliver Queensland Health’s vision.
Strategic Plan
Our strategic plan sets our vision and priorities to ensure our health service continues to grow and meet the changing health needs of our communities.
The strategic plan was developed with the input from our staff, partners and community. It outlines our vision: 'Excellent and sustainable healthcare for all in Far North Queensland.'
We'll focus on the following priorities and key objectives to achieve our vision.
- Our care
- We work to enable safe and equitable healthcare delivered closer to home through our partnerships and together with our community.
- Our people
- We nurture positive workplaces where our people feel safe, empowered and supported to collaborate in delivering excellence in healthcare.
- First Peoples health
- We recognize the valuable cultural knowledge of our First Peoples and through our partnerships, we will strive to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for First Peoples communities.
- Our sustainability
- With or people, our places and our technology, we will deliver efficient and sustainable healthcare and services.
The plan describes our objectives, strategies and key performance indicators. It helps patients and carers, staff, our community, partners and all other stakeholders understand our future direction.
Role Specification
The role of Executive Director Strategy, Planning and Infrastructure reports to the Chief Executive and maintains executive operational oversight of the implementation and ongoing review of service planning, infrastructure planning and major capital programs.
The role is responsible for collaborating with other units within Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (CHHHS), Queensland Health and Queensland Government to develop and implement the projects to be integrated with health service planning, applying an endorsed model of care, and operating under a business model that encompasses strategic policy, health service, workforce, information and capital planning. Further, the position is accountable for strategically leading, managing and facilitating the successful delivery of major capital infrastructure projects undertaken by the health service demonstrating high levels of performance and compliance in the project phases.
- Fulfil the responsibilities of this role in accordance with CHHHS values as outlined above.
- Follow defined service quality standards, occupational health and work policies and procedures relating to the work being undertaken to ensure high quality, safe services, and workplaces.
- Provide authoritative, expert and strategic advice to the Health Service Chief Executive (HSCE) and Executive Leadership Team in relation to the management and delivery of capital infrastructure projects.
- Lead the development and management of HHS major capital and infrastructure programs and projects, including consultants engaged to ensure that risks are effectively managed, key project milestones are achieved and outputs are in accordance with endorsed plans for time, quality, and cost. The projects may be at any CHHHS site and meetings, and consultation may be required at venues within and external to CHHHS.
- Strategically lead and manage the analysis of major capital and infrastructure projects and sub-project delivery options and viability, including
- (a) costs;
- (b) economic projections and project delivery options;
- (c) environmental, cultural heritage and native title issues;
- (d) public interest issues;
- (e) quantification and allocation of risk;
- (f) industrial relations;
- (g) health service delivery improvements;
- (h) private sector interest and other related matters and provide strategic advice/decision making as required.
- Lead the HHS service planning function to assess future demand and align the capacity of functions, processes, and workforce to meet demand in a way that is safe and clinically appropriate for the community.
- Develop strategic partnerships with external parties in line with realising the vision in developing the research and innovation precinct.
- Support the development of business strategy for the organisation, including the definition of short-term and long-term strategic goals, taking into consideration the political environment and its impact on planning.
- Oversee the development and implementation of environmental sustainability opportunities to reduce the carbon footprint of the health service and reduce waste and cost.
- Implement and manage the Health Service accommodation strategy and operational needs using best practice methodology.
- Develop, consult and produce in conjunction with the Executive and Board the 5-year strategic plan for the health service.
- Develop, monitor and report on the operational plan that informs the strategic plan quarterly to the Executive and Board.
- Stay abreast of external environmental impacts to the strategy and planning portfolio including government agendas, inter-agency dependencies and other relevant factors.
- Develop, foster and maintain effective partnerships and relationships with various consultants and contractors to ensure effective and timely delivery of capital building and construction components, specifically ensuring that these components meet their objectives, deliver the projected benefits, maintain their business and clinical services focus and that risks are actively managed.
- Manage the delivery of the project to ensure best practice for the design, construction, and utilisation of the departments-built assets.
- Source and manage suitably qualified and experienced consultants as service providers to the project team and facilitate skills transfer and development of the project team.
- Ensure procurement is managed in accordance with relevant Queensland Government Purchasing Policy and Value for Money Frameworks.
- Ensure that corporate operations and corporate policies and procedure comply with and are implemented in accordance with the relevant legislation and statutory requirements, Queensland standards and guidelines, and Corporate and HHS policies.
- Ensure that project delivery is timely, accurate and responsive to the needs of clients while meeting legislative and government policy requirements.
- Create and manage internal corporate governance structures to resolve service delivery problems and improve performance.
- Lead and manage internal staff and external service providers in line with quality human resource management practices, including performance management and with reference to employment equity, anti-discrimination, occupational health and ethical behaviour.
- Strategically lead the consultation and negotiation processes with clinicians and other stakeholders in the planning and development of new health services in the hospitals and the translation of these services into a building that is fit for purpose.
- Strategically lead and manage the preparation of briefs, reports and advice to the respective project Steering Committee, HSCE, Deputy Director General, Director General and Minister, including the preparation of draft Cabinet submissions and obtaining required Cabinet and departmental approvals, and external approvals as required.
- Provide leadership to ensure effective development of the new hospital projects, through strong collaborative relationships with senior Queensland Health officers, clinical reference groups, universities, medical associations/colleges, and other parts of Government involved in the projects.
- Lead and manage sourcing, analysing and interpreting of data, information and research to inform strategy and health service planning, priority setting to inform the annual purchasing process and working collaboratively with Queensland Health Divisions and Hospital and Health Services.
- Lead and manage the development and presentation of research, analysis, options and recommendations for service planning activities based on international, national and state resources.
- Lead and manage data support to inform service agreement strategy development and negotiation with the Department.
- Lead and manage the process of horizon scanning to enhance organisational strategic intelligence including the systematic gathering, analysing, and dispensing of information. This includes state, national and international trends, emerging issues and developments in policy and health service planning practice and their potential integration into Queensland’s health services.
- Lead and manage consultation processes with internal, external and Government stakeholders in the development of state-wide health service plans, strategic and operational plans, service planning guidelines and health service priority setting.
- Provide high level knowledge and advice to the Chief Executive Officer CHHHS on health data.
- Represent the Chief Executive, CHHHS in discussions and negotiations with stakeholders in relation to complex clinical and support services issues relating to sensitive and confidential matters.
- Represent Queensland Health on whole of Government and national committees and forums related to planning and planning data for CHHHS.
- Negotiate high level agreements with internal and external stakeholders and represent the Chief Executive on issues arising from project being managed within the Clinical and Support Services team.
- Lead the development of training to increase the health data, analysis and research capacity and capability across the organisation for future planning.
- Establish and maintain effective relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
- Lead and manage the effective administration of Queensland Health by adhering to relevant quality management practices, public administration law, departmental policies, human resource management practices and financial management practices.
Capabilities
Personal Attributes
- Individual behaviours influenced by our values and ethical compass
- Leading Organisation | Act with Integrity - Display personal commitment to the purpose and philosophy of Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service and lead by example with ethical and professional behaviour.
Build Relationships
- Shape and maximise relationships with colleagues, patients and the community
- Leading Organisation | Work Collaboratively - Orchestrate cross divisional and external cooperation and collaboration while developing creative partnerships to deliver strategies.
Results Focused
- Drive with influence successful organisational outcomes
- Leading Organisation | Deliver Results - Remove barriers to success and sponsor strategies to maximise outcomes, advocating evaluation as quality control to improve performance.
Business Enablers
- Boost effective service delivery and champion change management
- Leading Organisation | Understand Financial Requirements - Advocate strategic management of financial and budgetary compliance and governance, defining direction in consideration of financial indicators and community needs.
Leadership and People Management
- Inspire, engage and build our workforce
- Leading Organisation | Make Sound and Agile Decisions - Make and direct strategic decisions based on our Values, organisational direction and with the purpose of steering a culture of ethical and evidence based creative solutions.
Qualifications and Knowledge
- Whilst not mandatory, an advanced degree in a relevant field is highly desirable.
- Thorough knowledge of modern management principles, practices, and methods.
- Considerable knowledge of a university hospital/health and knowledge precinct is desirable.
1. Strategic Leadership in Health Service Planning
Demonstrated ability to lead the development and execution of whole-of-organisation strategic and service planning, including aligning future demand, clinical service models, workforce capability, and system capacity to deliver safe, sustainable and high-quality health outcomes.
2. Delivery of Major Capital and Infrastructure Programs
Proven experience leading complex, large-scale capital infrastructure programs—from planning and business case development through to delivery—ensuring achievement of key milestones across time, cost, quality, risk, and compliance frameworks.
3. High-Level Advisory and Policy Influence
Demonstrated capacity to provide authoritative, evidence-based strategic advice to senior executives, boards and government, including preparing complex briefs, Cabinet submissions and business cases, and navigating political and policy environments to influence decision-making.
4. Stakeholder Engagement, Partnerships and Negotiation
Exceptional ability to build and sustain productive relationships with diverse stakeholders—including clinicians, government agencies, industry, and community—while leading high-level consultation, negotiation and collaboration processes to deliver integrated outcomes.
5. Financial Stewardship, Governance and Risk Management
Strong track record in overseeing financial strategy, procurement, governance and compliance for major programs, including the application of value-for-money principles, risk identification and mitigation, and adherence to legislative and policy requirements.
6. Organisational Leadership, Culture and Capability Building
Demonstrated executive leadership in building high-performing teams and organisational capability, fostering a culture aligned to values (integrity, accountability, collaboration), and driving change, innovation and continuous improvement across complex service environments.
Reporting
Reports directly to the CEO as part of the Executive Leadership team
Salary: HES3L - $290,649 - $301,265 (total remuneration)
Location: Cairns, QLD
Classification: HES3L
Employment Term: Fixed Term Temporary Full Time for three years with the possibility of a two-year extension
Requirements
- Travel to meetings and consultation venues external to CHHHS may be required.
- This position requires the incumbent to operate a class C motor vehicle and an appropriate licence endorsement to operate this type of vehicle is required. Proof of this endorsement must be provided before commencement of duty.
Employment Conditions
- Applications will remain current for 12 months.
- Future vacancies of a temporary, full-time, and part-time nature may also be filled through this recruitment process.
- Pre-employment screening, including criminal history and discipline history checks, may be undertaken on persons recommended for employment. Roles providing health, counselling, and support services mainly to children will require a blue card, unless otherwise exempt.
- Applicants are required to disclose any pre-existing illness or injury which may impact on their ability to perform the role as per section 571 of the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003.
- Under the Public Sector Act 2022, applicants are required to disclose any previous serious discipline history taken against them.
- Employees who are permanently appointed to Queensland Health may be required to undertake a period of probation appropriate to the appointment.
- All Queensland Health staff, who in the course of their duties formulate a reasonable suspicion that a child has suffered, is suffering, or is at unacceptable risk of suffering significant harm in their home/community environment and may not have a parent able and willing to protect the child from harm. have a legislative and a duty of care obligation to immediately report such concerns to Child Safety Services, Department of Communities.
- Some roles within Queensland Health are designated as ‘Vaccination Preventable Disease (VPD) risk roles. A VPD risk role is a role in which the incumbent may be exposed to the risk of acquisition and/or transmission of a VPD. If you are applying for a role that has been designated as a VPD risk role you must be able to provide evidence that you either have been vaccinated against the VPD’s listed in the role description; or are not susceptible to the VPD’s listed in the role description.
You will be asked by the recruiting manager to supply this evidence if you are the preferred candidate for the role. Any job offer would be subject to the supply of evidence related to VPD in addition to other required employment screening. Most of our frontline clinical roles require at a minimum vaccination against measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), pertussis (whooping cough) and Hepatitis B. The following tools will assist if you are required to provide evidence of VPD vaccination:- VPD Evidence guide.
- VPD evidence form – Doctor.
- VPD evidence form – Self.
- Please head to our Vaccinations Homepage for more information on how to provide your evidence.
- Applicants will be required to give a statement of their employment as a lobbyist within one (1) month of taking up the appointment. Details are available at https://www.qld.gov.au/gov/system/files/documents/lobbyist-disclosure-policy.pdf?v=1454302064
- We are committed to building inclusive cultures in the Queensland public sector that respect and promote human rights and diversity.
The closing date for applications is Thursday, 2 July 2026
The reference number to include in your application is H26_5526
Note: Please use the online HardyGroup 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, Sarah Prebble: sprebble@hardygroupintl.com | +61 (0) 430 219 787
Your application must include:
1. Cover letter addressed to the Principal Consultant;
2. A written response addressing the key selection criteria (maximum 2 pages) in 4. Selection Criteria and,
3. An up to date copy of your Curriculum Vitae including the names and contact details of two referees. Referees should have a thorough knowledge of your capabilities, work performance and conduct within the previous two years, and it is preferable to include your current/immediate/past supervisor.
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:
Ms Sarah Buckler PSM
HG Queensland State Manager
M. +61 (0)429 486 740
E. sbuckler@hardygroupintl.com
LIVING AND WORKING IN CAIRNS
Experience The Unparalleled Natural Beauty of Cairns
Where spectacular reefs, ancient rainforests, rich culture, and an alfresco dining scene blend into one. A welcoming and multicultural city more than 20% of Cairns people were born overseas and some 72 languages are spoken. The city is a fantastic place to live with world class cafés, bars and restaurants and the city has thriving community markets. It is close to plenty of picturesque beaches often with resort style living options. The estimated resident urban population of Cairns is greater than 178,000 and the region has experienced an average annual growth rate of 1.9% over the last 10 years.
Cairns is the international gateway to The Great Barrier Reef - the world’s biggest marine park and home to more than 9000 species of coral, birds, fish and marine life and welcomes more than 2.4 million visitors each year. Whether it’s snorkelling through coral gardens, flying over the infinite blues or sailing to tropical islands, there’s an adventure reserved for everyone on the world’s largest living organism (that you can see from space). Breathe in the salt air and explore via boat, snorkel, kayak, helicopter or learn to dive on this world-famous natural wonder.
Cairns is also the gateway to The Wet Tropics rainforest is a living, breathing ark and home to many plants and animals found nowhere else on earth. A place so big in size it makes up 0.12% of Australia, it's both accessible and diverse, from the easy walk to the famous Curtain Tree Fig to the longer hike to cool off in Nandroya Falls.
There is easy access to and from Cairns and most capital cities in Australia through the Cairns International Airport which is only 7km from the CBD. Compared with most Australian cities the cost of housing is much more affordable in Cairns along with affordable childcare, 25 state primary schools, 10 state high schools and 21 private / non-government schools.
Explore more about living in Cairns, here and places to visit, here.
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.