At Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network, we focus on improving the health and wellbeing of the people who live and work in Sydney, from East to South and the Inner West. Primary health refers to the healthcare provided in the community, such as a local doctor, pharmacist or psychologist. We provide support and training to these health professionals. We help them to connect community members to other services so that everyone involved in a person’s care can know how best to look after their health.

PHNs are not-for-profit organisations. We receive money from the government to provide health services that are right for the people in this area. We also work with hospitals, specialists, aged care facilities and others to improve people’s experience when needing healthcare. We work to make it easier for people to get the best care and support when and where they need it to achieve our vision of healthy and thriving communities.

CESPHN values inclusivity and diversity and is committed to fostering a culture of respect, empowerment, and accessibility that values the unique contributions of all staff. Our vision is to create an inclusive and functional workplace that values and supports employees living with disability, ensuring that all employees have the resources, flexibilities, and accommodations they need to thrive at CESPHN.

About this job

Work from Office initially with hybrid working arrangements - 2 days required in office

Office based in Mascot (close to public transport)

Purpose driven organisation

Salary packaging available, additional leave days, EAP and other benefits

Permanent Full-Time contract

The Engagement Lead works closely with the GM Planning and Engagement to lead the engagement activity of the organisation. This role oversees CESPHN’s Stakeholder Engagement Strategy and its implementation. Responsible for ensuring our external engagement activity is effective and contributes to all aspects of the planning cycle from needs identification to evaluation.

The Engagement Lead supports the operations of several key engagement forums including our Clinical and Community Councils, Clinical Leaders Network and Member Chairs meetings. This role also supports CESPHN representatives on hospital clinical councils providing them with information and ensuring issues they identify are addressed.

The role will also focus on continually improving our engagement and building relationships with community organisations, local government, consumers, GPs and allied health professionals.

The Engagement Lead is also responsible for managing and supporting the Engagement team to effectively deliver on Planning and Engagement’s operational goals, effective planning, prioritisation, policy adherence and people management.

The salary range for this role is $114,062 - $121,094 full time equivalent (FTE) and is negotiable based on skills, qualifications and experience. This salary will be prorated according to hours worked.

Successful candidates will require a compatible smartphone for Multi-Factor Authentication to securely access CESPHN systems.

Key Responsibilities

Manage the Engagement portfolio by providing direction, clarifying short-term priorities, monitoring and reporting on performance, and supporting continuous improvement and change management initiatives

Liaise and collaborate with GPs, allied health, community organisations, community members, councils, local health districts and networks on planning and community engagement activities.

Manage the Engagement Officer to provide secretariat support for Clinical and Community Council and Council Chair meetings, Member Chairs meetings and Clinical Leaders meetings and documenting decisions and coordinating appropriate follow up action.

Lead major strategic and engagement events, such as annual Strategy workshop and lead the Primary Health Awards process.

This role also supports CESPHN representatives on hospital clinical councils providing them with information and ensuring issues they identify are addressed.

Selection criteria – essential

Degree in social sciences, social work, community development or equivalent or relevant experience.

High level engagement skills and experience, or high-level community development skills and experience.

Proven experience in relationship building and stakeholder management with people from diverse cultures, professions and ages.

Extensive experience organising meetings, writing reports and related activities.

Excellent conflict resolution and negotiation skills.

Excellent writing skills with ability to analyse key issues.

Project management experience.

Ability to balance competing projects and adapt to shifting priorities.

High level of initiative and ‘can do’ attitude.

High level computer literacy across MS Office suite and other CRM based programs.

Selection criteria – desirable

Understanding of the primary health care system.

Experience managing staff.

If you have any questions about the role, please contact: Recruitment on [email protected].

CESPHN is an equal employment opportunity employer committed to equity, diversity and social inclusion. Applications are encouraged from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Why work at Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network?

The impact you want

We all want to make a difference, and there are so many ways to do that in the healthcare sector. At Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network (CESPHN), purpose and impact feel a bit different from frontline roles.

Our people tell us that, here, it’s less about putting out fires and more about shaping the foundations for a healthier future. Here, you’ll engage with the big picture issues. You’ll plan ahead for the changing needs of our incredibly diverse communities. You’ll connect the pieces of the puzzle, and help improve healthcare, one step at a time. With every connection, every partnership and every strategy, you’ll enable sustainable, thriving communities, for today and tomorrow.

This kind of work takes time, effort and patience! But make no mistake - your impact at CESPHN is significant. Our size (we’re just over 100 people), our flat structure and our open culture mean you’ll never be just one of many. You’ll make a direct contribution every day, shaping, innovating and improving, and you’ll feel valued for all you achieve. Working with us should also positively impact your career. Collaborating with stakeholders across the healthcare spectrum, you’ll get incredible exposure, and develop knowledge and skills that help you grow for the future. So whether you choose to stay with us long-term, or branch out onto a new path, here at CESPHN, you’ll set yourself up for a truly impactful career.

The support you need

At CESPHN, we believe that real impact doesn’t need to come at the expense of your wellbeing. Quite the opposite. The work we do takes sustained and consistent effort, and fresh, innovative thinking. That’s why we work hard to ensure you get the right balance and support for work and life. Our people say that working here feels like a breath of fresh air. Because as much as possible, you’re supported to work in alignment with your natural rhythm and at a pace that sustains, not one that crashes and burns. So, join us and flex your start and finish times, log in from your home office up to three days per week and use your laptop’s built-in wi-fi whenever your local coffee shop or quiet park bench calls!

Join us and find a team where you’re treated like a human being. Find the space you crave and the flexibility you need to bring your best self to work.

The team you deserve

Our approach is simple: We look out for each other so that everyone can thrive. That’s why we’re working hard to create a culture where you can feel comfortable to be yourself, and where you’ll be supported to produce your best work. We’re all proudly different – different backgrounds, home lives, experiences, perspectives – and we respect and celebrate those differences. We value the unique contributions of all our team members.

We work hard, and we do it with a shared sense of purpose and a strong willingness to collaborate, connect and solve problems together. It’s not all about handing out medals here. At heart, it’s about working together and winning as a team.

Join us, and you’ll find:

Approachable and supportive leaders who genuinely value your input and want to see you grow

A multicultural workforce that fosters a culture of respect, empowerment, and accessibility

Empathetic, smart, capable humans who care as much as you do about community health and each other

The trust and respect to run with projects, to challenge and question and share new perspectives.