Executive Director - Pilbara
Western Australia Country Health Service (WACHS)
CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK
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Executive Summary
- Lead the direction, delivery and performance of health services across the Pilbara, one of Western Australia’s most significant regional communities.
- Shape regional health strategy and influence the broader direction of WA Country Health Service as a key member of its senior leadership team.
- Drive quality, performance and service improvement across a diverse health network, strengthening leadership capability and ensuring resources deliver maximum impact for Pilbara communities.
- Combine a substantial executive leadership opportunity with the distinctive lifestyle of the Pilbara, a vast region stretching from the Indian Ocean across Western Australia’s north-west.
THE OPPORTUNITY
WA Country Health Service (WACHS) delivers public health services across regional and remote Western Australia, supporting communities of more than half a million people across one of the largest health jurisdictions globally. WACHS spans approximately 2.5 million square kilometres through a broad network of hospitals, health campuses and community-based services. Its mission is to deliver and advance high-quality care for country Western Australian communities, with strategic priorities spanning access and equity, sustainable service delivery, workforce, partnerships, innovation and healthy communities. Its seven regions include the Midwest, alongside Kimberley, Pilbara, Goldfields, Wheatbelt, Great Southern and South West.
Within this system, the Pilbara is Western Australia’s second most northern region, extending from the Indian Ocean to the Northern Territory border and covering approximately 507,896 square kilometres. The region also holds considerable economic importance to Western Australia, including two of the State’s largest export revenue earners, iron ore and liquefied natural gas.
The Pilbara Directorate is responsible and accountable for delivering safe, high-quality, efficient and economical health services to Pilbara communities. Within the complexity of delivering health services across this extensive regional environment, the Executive Director Pilbara provides senior leadership across the regional network, ensuring publicly funded services respond to identified population needs while operating within allocated resources and relevant policy, legislative and regulatory requirements.
THE ROLE
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Executive Director is accountable for the effective management of the regional service network and plays an important role in shaping organisational priorities, strengthening regional leadership capability and improving the quality, cost and effectiveness of healthcare delivery.
The Executive Director Pilbara leads a broad regional portfolio spanning operations, medical services, nursing and midwifery, mental health, population health, Aboriginal health, aged care, strategy and change, business services, capital projects, infrastructure and support services, human resources, and work health and safety. The position has direct leadership responsibility across these functions and overall accountability for the regional service network and associated resources.
Key responsibilities include:
- Lead and coordinate regional health services, ensuring publicly funded services are developed and delivered in response to the identified needs of the Pilbara population.
- Set strategic and operational direction, leading the development and implementation of strategic and business plans for regional services while contributing to WACHS-wide goals, policies and strategies.
- Maintain strong financial and operational stewardship, ensuring appropriate management and monitoring of financial, workforce, physical and other resources across the regional network.
- Drive quality, risk and service improvement, maintaining comprehensive risk management and processes that improve the quality, cost and effectiveness of health service delivery.
- Strengthen regional leadership and performance, developing leadership capability and supporting the effective management and performance of regional staff.
- Build strong community and stakeholder relationships, maintaining positive community and public relations and representing WACHS as a senior regional leader and ambassador.
- Contribute beyond the regional portfolio, representing WACHS outside the Pilbara as required and taking responsibility for an additional portfolio as part of the broader organisational management team.
THE CANDIDATE
The successful candidate will be an accomplished senior leader with the capability to provide clear strategic direction while maintaining a strong focus on operational delivery, accountability and results. They will demonstrate high-level judgement and initiative, together with the ability to build organisational capability, marshal professional expertise, lead change, navigate uncertainty and deliver intended outcomes.
They will understand the relationship between high-quality service delivery and disciplined stewardship of financial, physical, technological and information resources. The breadth of this position requires a leader capable of bringing together different professional and operational perspectives while maintaining clear direction and accountability across the regional service network.
The successful candidate will build productive internal and external relationships, facilitate cooperation and partnerships, and develop people across the organisation. They will communicate clearly, listen and adapt to different audiences, negotiate persuasively and engage effectively with stakeholders both within and outside WACHS. Professionalism, integrity, sound judgement, resilience, personal courage and a demonstrated commitment to safe, high-quality service delivery will be important attributes.
Current knowledge of relevant legislative and regulatory requirements is essential, while tertiary qualifications in health and/or hospital management are highly desirable.
For an experienced health executive, this is an opportunity to take substantial responsibility for the performance and direction of a regional health service, while contributing to the wider leadership of country healthcare across Western Australia.
HOW TO APPLY
The closing date for applications is Friday, 4 December 2026.
For a confidential discussion about the position, please contact:
Pete Carter
Principal Search Consultant
M. +61 (0)448 729 077
E. pcarter@hardygroupintl.com
WESTERN AUSTRLIA COUNTRY HEALTH SERVICE
WACHS Profile
The WA Country Health Service (WACHS} is the largest country health system in Australia and one of the biggest in the world, providing health services across regional and remote Western Australia to over half a million people, including over 60,000 Aboriginal people, over a vast two and a half million square kilometres area. WACHS has 7 regions; Kimberley, Pilbara, Midwest, Goldfields, Wheatbelt, Great Southern, South West. WACHS supports communities through a network of more than 70 hospitals and health facilities, including regional hospitals, health campuses, and Multi-Purpose Service sites, as well as community-based services and Telehealth. Services are delivered within a multidisciplinary environment, bringing together clinical, allied health, operational, and support services, and are underpinned by strong community connection and collaboration with local stakeholders.
These services provide:
- Emergency and hospital services
- Population, public and primary healthcare
- Aboriginal health services
- Mental health services
- Drug and alcohol services
- Child, community and school healthcare
- Telehealth services
- Residential and community aged care services
According to the latest available Australian Bureau of Statistics Estimated Resident Population (ERP) data (2023), the population of WACHS's catchment area is 566,731 people. Over 11 per cent of these people (63,904) identify as Aboriginal.
The population we service is diverse and expansive and as a result has widely varying health needs. People living in rural and remote areas experience poorer general health than those in metropolitan areas and Aboriginal health and life expectancy, in particular, is significantly less than that of non-Aboriginal people.
Government funding and industry investment over recent years have brought about a transformation of country health care through major and minor capital works. More towns now have contemporary health campuses, expanded hospitals, greater emergency service capacity and modern facilities and equipment. Coupled with technological and service innovations such as Telehealth, the WA Country Health Service is now delivering health care closer to home for more country Western Australians than ever before.
WACHS Strategic Priorities
Regional Profile
The Pilbara is WA’s second most northern region, defined by the Indian Ocean to the west and the Northern Territory border to the east. The Kimberley Region lies to its north across the Great Sandy Desert and the Pilbara’s southern reaches border the Midwest and Goldfields regions. The region covers a total area of 507,896sq km (including offshore islands). Most of the inhabitants are located in the western third, whereas the eastern third is largely desert with few inhabitants. Today the Pilbara economy is crucial to the State, providing 2 of the State’s largest export revenue earners – iron ore and liquefied natural gas.
Directorate Overview
The Office of Regional Director Pilbara Directorate is responsible and accountable for the delivery of safe, high quality, efficient and economical health services to the Pilbara communities. The Directorate provides reporting and responses to requests under government and legislative requirements including the Minister for Health, Department of Health, WACHS Board and WACHS Chief Executive. Our Directorate actively supports and encourages diversity and inclusion across all occupational groups through the development and implementation of initiatives aimed at accessing and improving employment and mentoring opportunities for all people. Our strategies are located at www.wacountry.health.wa.gov.au.
Pilbara Network Map
Role Specification
The Executive Director – Pilbara is accountable for the development and delivery of regional, publicly funded health services for the Pilbara region of the WA Country Health Service (WACHS), ensuring alignment with the identified needs of the population and working within allocated resources.
The position is also accountable for the effective and efficient management of a network of regional services and associated resources in accordance with relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and legal requirements.
The Executive Director provides strategic leadership and oversight across the accountable districts, with District Directors reporting directly to the position. The Executive Director leads and works in partnership with District Directors, district management teams and clinical and corporate program leaders to support coordinated service delivery across the districts.
- Leads and co-ordinates the development and delivery of regional, publicly funded health services aligned to the identified needs of the population.
- Accountable to the Chief Operating Officer for the effective and efficient governance and management of the network of services and associated resources across accountable Districts in accordance with relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and legislative/legal requirements.
- Leads the development and implementation of strategic and business plans across accountable District services.
- Contributes to the WA Country Health Service (WACHS) organisational vision, goals, policies and strategies and through leadership, communication, action and achievements acts as a role model for future leaders.
- Actively supports and contributes to the development of leadership and management of performance of District Directors and other direct staff reports.
- Implements and maintains appropriate management and monitoring systems including those for financial, human resource, physical and other resources within the accountable Districts in accordance with relevant WA Health policies.
- Implements a comprehensive risk management system across accountable Districts, which includes processes and methods to improve the quality, cost and effectiveness of health service delivery.
- Facilitates positive community and public relations across accountable Districts and acts as an effective leader and ambassador for WACHS.
- Represents WACHS as required and takes responsibility for an additional portfolio of responsibilities as a contribution to the organisation’s management team as a whole.
- Other duties as required.
Suitability recognises that a range of factors contribute to merit, including skills, knowledge, abilities, behaviours, ethical alignment and relevant operational requirements. The suitability requirements below are derived from the Job Description Form and define what will be assessed to determine your suitability for the role:
- Shapes and manages strategy
Demonstrates the ability to inspire a sense of purpose and direction, focus strategically on matters of critical importance to the organisation, harness relevant information and act on opportunities. Demonstrates high-level judgement, initiative and common sense.
- Achieves results
Achieves results within their area of accountability. Demonstrates the ability to build organisational skill and responsiveness, marshal professional expertise, steer and implement change, deal with uncertainty and deliver intended results. Delivers outcomes while ensuring effective management of financial, physical, technological and information requirements to support quality service delivery.
- Builds productive relationships
Demonstrates the ability to nurture internal and external relationships, facilitate cooperation and partnerships, value individual differences and diversity, and guide, coach and develop people across the organisation.
- Exemplifies personal integrity and self-awareness
Demonstrates professionalism, probity and a commitment to safe, high-quality service delivery. Engages with risk, shows personal courage, commits to action, displays resilience, demonstrates self-awareness and maintains an ongoing commitment to personal development.
- Communicates and influences effectively
Communicates clearly, listens, understands and adapts to the audience, and negotiates persuasively. Engages appropriately with stakeholders both within and outside the organisation.
- Service delivery experience
Demonstrates extensive experience initiating, leading and reviewing service delivery outcomes within a complex environment.
- Legislative and regulatory knowledge
Demonstrates current knowledge of legislative and regulatory requirements in the areas of equal opportunity, disability services and workplace health and safety, and how these impact on employment, people management and service delivery.
Reports to: Chief Operating Officer - Remote
Direct Reports: 14
618352 – District Director - West Pilbara
618345 – District Director - East Pilbara
613225 – Regional Director of Nursing and Midwifery
616490 – Director Strategy, Change and Service Development
615114 – Director Projects
608202 – Director Population Health
613766 – Consultant - Emergency Medicine
613766 – Consultant - Emergency Medicine
615373 – Regional Manager Infrastructure and Support Services
615386 – Regional Aboriginal Health Consultant
300209 – Aged Care - Manager
613458 – Manager Mental Health, Drug & Alcohol
607994 – Coordinator Executive Services
619352 – Coordinator Executive Services
Classification: HES Grade B - Health Professional
Salary Package (incl. 12% super): $255,808–$274,449
This is a Fixed Term Full Time appointment for 5 years with the possibility of extension(s).
Appointment is subject to:
- Provision of the minimum identity proofing requirements
- Successful Criminal Record Screening Clearance
- Successful Pre-Employment Health Assessment
- Successful WA Health Integrity Check
- Successful National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Worker Screening Check
Essential Requirements
- Evidence of a current C or C-A Class driver’s licence
- Ability to travel within the Pilbara region as required including overnight stays and including the ability to travel in light aircraft.
Allowances where applicable: Annual Leave Travel Concession, One-week additional annual leave for above the 26th parallel, Air-conditioning subsidy, Subsidised accommodation.
Employee Benefits: In addition to the great salary our employees enjoy an amazing range of benefits which may include (in line with operational requirements):
- 12% employer contributed superannuation into a fund of your choice. For further information on superannuation click here
- District Allowance (Pilbara and Midwest locations only)
- Subsidised accommodation may be available, subject to location and availability
- Access to generous salary packaging arrangements
- Professional Development Opportunities and Study Leave/assistance
- Flexible working arrangements
- Flexible leave arrangements
- Other professional and location-based allowances
- As a WA Country Health Service employee, you’re entitled to discounts across some private health care funds. Please see flyer in Useful Links.
The closing date for applications is Friday, 4 December 2026.
The reference number to include in your application is H26_5603.
Note: Please use the online WA Government platform to submit your application (Apply Now button below). 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: M: +61 (0)430 219 787 / E: sprebble@hardygroupintl.com
Applicants are required to submit:
- A cover letter addressed to the HardyGroup consultant.
- A statement addressing the suitability criteria (maximum 2–3 pages), outlining your skills, experience, knowledge and what you will bring to the role.
- A detailed curriculum vitae (CV) summarising your relevant experience and ability to meet the position requirements.
- The names and contact details of two (2) professional referees, preferably including your current or most recent manager.
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:
Pete Carter
Principal Search Consultant
M. +61 (0)448 729 077
E. pcarter@hardygroupintl.com
LIVING AND WORKING IN REGIONAL WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Western Australia offers an exceptional lifestyle defined by space, natural beauty and strong community connection. The state features a warm climate, spectacular coastline and diverse environments—from a vibrant capital city to regional and remote communities rich in culture and heritage.
Residents benefit from a high quality of life, with access to excellent healthcare, education and a wide range of recreational and cultural experiences. A multicultural population contributes to a diverse food and arts scene, complemented by year-round festivals and events. The outdoor lifestyle is a defining feature, with beaches, national parks and renowned wine regions supporting a healthy balance between work and leisure
Together, these elements make Western Australia a highly attractive place to live, offering a unique blend of lifestyle, community and environment.
Most importantly, living in Western Australia means achieving the work‑life balance you’ve been craving—more time for family, wellbeing and the things that matter most.
WA Country Health Service - Living and working in country WA
Dr Franci Winfield - Bunbury - From Here
What Can You do in Western Australia?
Nature lovers are spoiled for choice in Western Australia. From the pristine beaches of Rottnest Island and Esperance to the ancient gorges of Karijini National Park and the unique landscapes of the Pinnacles Desert, spectacular natural environments are right on your doorstep. Whether it’s snorkelling in turquoise bays, exploring national parks or simply enjoying the scenery, there’s always something remarkable to experience.
Outdoor adventure is part of everyday life, with opportunities to swim with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef, hike iconic trails, cycle car-free islands, or enjoy boating, camping and coastal escapes across one of the world’s most diverse landscapes.
For those who enjoy food, arts and culture, Western Australia offers a vibrant mix of experiences—from world-class wineries in Margaret River to festivals, galleries and historic sites such as Fremantle Prison and Perth’s Kings Park, one of the largest inner-city parks in the world.
Most of all, Western Australia is known for its sense of space, lifestyle and connection—offering a unique opportunity to live well, explore widely and be part of diverse and welcoming communities.
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.