Director Communications and Engagement

Description:

CRVCID No. 659603

Senior Executive Service (SES) Senior Leadership Role

This advertisement is for a fixed term full time appointment for five (5) years.

Lead. Shape. Transform: Exciting opportunity to lead, build and shape the future of the Western Australian health system.

WA Health, one of the State’s largest public sector employers, is seeking a modern, dynamic, and visionary communications leader to drive strategy and engagement across one of the most critical sectors in Western Australia.

As Director of Communications, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the public narrative, strengthening stakeholder engagement, and ensuring effective communication across our vast and complex health system. We are looking for an industry professional with contemporary expertise, a strategic mindset, and the ability to lead a high-performing team in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Shape and implement a communications strategy that supports WA Health’s mission.
• Lead proactive media, public affairs, and digital engagement initiatives.
• Drive innovation in communication methods, ensuring transparency, accessibility, and impact alongside mentoring and leading a communications team of 25 – 30 staff.
• Provide strategic advice to senior leadership and government stakeholders, including Director General, Minister(s), Premier’s Office and system-wide health executives, within the parameters of a strategic, integrated communications response system.
• Provide strategic direction and leadership to the Division and develops, coaches and manages others to ensure achievement of key deliverables and business outcomes.
• Build and foster strategic relationships and partnerships to leverage and enhance stakeholder and customer engagement and communications activities of the WA Health system.
  
  

Why the Department of Health?

The Department of Health is responsible for the overall strategic direction, management and performance of the Western Australian (WA) public health system to ensure the delivery of high-quality, sustainable, safe and timely health services.

The WA public health system employs approximately 55,000 dedicated staff who ensure the health and wellbeing of the State’s population throughout the metropolitan, regional and remote areas of WA. The WA health system as a single health entity covers an area covering approximately 2.5 million square kilometres.

The foundations that underpin essential services to the community include supporting our workforce; robust standards for the delivery of high-quality and safe care, and optimal patient and community experience; sound financial management and clinical performance; supporting our workforce; infrastructure; and information and communications technology (ICT) delivery; and supporting and enhancing research and innovation.

Employee Benefits: In addition to the great salary our employees enjoy an amazing range of benefits which may include (in line with operational requirements):

• 11.5% employer contributed superannuation into a fund of your choice. For further information click here.
• Access to salary packaging arrangements
• Professional Development Opportunities and Study Leave/assistance
• Flexible working arrangements
• Flexible leave arrangements
  
  

Please note, from 13 June 2025, the salary will increase to $204,404 per annum, with 12% super and salary packaging arrangements (subject to eligibility)

Eligibility to Apply: To be eligible for appointment, applicants must have a valid working visa (for fixed term appointments) or be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or have a visa to live and work indefinitely in Australia (for permanent appointments).

Other Conditions: WA Health engages staff in positions of trust and responsibility. WA Health policies require applicants to undertake criminal records screening and integrity checking as part of the appointment process. Referees may also be asked to comment on an applicant’s integrity and past demonstration of ethical behaviour.

Whilst this selection process will initially be used to fill the above vacancy, it may also be used to fill other "similar" vacancies.

Selection Criteria: Please see the attached Job Description Form.

Application Instructions : Applicants are to apply online.

Applicants are advised to write a statement addressing the selection criteria in no more than 3-4 pages and provide a detailed curriculum vitae which summarises your experience and achievements how you are able to meet the position requirements.

Prior applicants need not apply.

For Further Job Related Information: We encourage you to contact Justine Withers - A/Executive Director, Office of the Director General on 08 9222 2127.

These documents should be complete and ready to attach prior to applying online. Please ensure you allow sufficient time to complete the online application process as you will be required to answer various questions and attach your documentation.

If you experience difficulties while applying online, please contact Employee Services on 13 44 77 for immediate assistance during business hours.

Lodgement is system generated. Any submissions on, or after, 4:00pm will not be accepted.

LATE OR EMAIL APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.