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.

• Purpose driven organisation
• Hybrid working arrangements - 2 days required in the office
• Office based in Mascot (close to public transport)
• Salary packaging available, additional leave days, EAP and other benefits

About the job

The Mental Health Manager will lead the mental health teams including the intake and triage team to provide triage into the PSS program and to operate the Head2Health Referral Spoke. The manager will also lead relevant components of the commissioning cycle in relation to mental health for the Central and Eastern Sydney PHN (CESPHN) region. This will involve undertaking regional needs assessments, development of tenders, contacts, activity plans and monitoring and evaluating activities of commissioned services in mental health.

This role will work collaboratively with stakeholders including consumers, carers, service users, organisations and practitioners throughout the cycle of commissioning, supporting regional planning and integration of services.

The role will drive quality improvement across intake and triage and commissioned services to enhance service delivery and improve outcomes. This will involve the monitoring and evaluation of commissioned services to identify areas for improvement and settings targets for service enhancement.

This role will further support the clinical governance of the intake and triage team, ensuring it meets legislative and regulatory requirements, collaborates with referrers and primary and tertiary services, and actively manage risk including incident reporting and root cause analysis.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the development of strategic relationships and partnerships with relevant stakeholders across the CESPHN region, including government and non-government organisations, health providers, consumers, service users and carers.
• Provide direction, supervision and performance management to the Mental Health team, ensuring cohesiveness and collaboration as a team.
• Undertake needs assessments, develop activity work plans, monitor and evaluate commissioned activities in relation to Mental Health services in conjunction with the Planning, Strategy and Evaluation team and CESPHN executive.
• Commission services to deliver the objectives of activity plans and following CESPHN Commissioning Framework including supporting the co-design process with consumers, service users, carers and youth representatives as required.
• Establish and manage service agreements, contracts and memorandum of understandings, utilising the Contract Management System (Folio) as a tool to supporting strong governance, monitoring and evaluation.

Selection criteria – essential

• Tertiary qualifications in a mental health (such as psychologist, mental health occupational therapist or mental health social worker) and minimum three years’ relevant management experience in health.
• Experience in influencing and managing change as well as commissioning high quality, locally relevant and effective health services as informed by the needs assessment and market analysis.
• Proven involvement in strategic project coordination and contract management as well as leadership, performance management and professional development experience.
• Demonstrated high level strategic management, consultation, negotiation, collaboration and financial management and reporting skills.
• Demonstrated ability to establish confident relationships and partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders including the Local Health Districts, non-government organisations, community organisations, universities, clinicians and the public.
• Understanding of the needs of underserviced and hard to reach communities in the CESPHN region, in particular Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Microsoft Office based computing applications e.g. Excel, Word, Database, Power Point, Client Information Management Systems, SharePoint, Outlook etc.
• Proven high level written, verbal and electronic communication skills, and ability to successfully manage communications across a decentralised organisation
• Access to a motor vehicle and possession of a current NSW drivers’ licence.

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.

If you have any questions about the role please contact Recruitment on [email protected], using the subject line: Mental Health Manager enquiry via EthicalJobs.

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