With a vision for Healthy People and Healthy Communities Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network is a not-for-profit organisation funded by the Australian Government. The PHN works with health care providers across the Hunter, New England and Central Coast regions to commission programs and services designed to improve the efficiency and quality of primary health care and create a positive impact for their communities.
The PHN is recognised nationally for its commissioning capability, consistently performing strongly against funding and program objectives. The organisation is driven by its values of respect, innovation, accountability, integrity, cooperation and recognition and has been recognised as an Employer of Choice in the Australian Business Awards for three consecutive years, reflecting its commitment to positive culture, staff engagement and inclusive leadership.
The opportunity
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and working closely with the Board, the Executive Manager, Commissioning is a key member of the Executive team and holds responsibility for the PHN’s largest portfolio from a budget and delivery perspective. The portfolio spans primary care, mental health and suicide prevention, wellbeing services, alcohol and other drugs, integrated team care, rural allied health and nursing, after hours GP and urgent care services, palliative care, care for older people, and services addressing domestic and family violence and sexual assault. The role also provides leadership and oversight of all PHN activities related to the health of First Nations people, including the commissioning of services which are targeted for First Nations people and managing relationships with local Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.
This is an exciting opportunity to lead an established and high-performing commissioning function that has evolved over time and continues to grow in scope and complexity. The PHN is seeking a leader who will provide steady, inclusive leadership to a skilled and experienced team, maintaining strong engagement and continuing to build capability and confidence across the portfolio.
A core priority is ensuring commissioned services are easy to navigate, well integrated and genuinely responsive to local community needs. With multiple service providers operating across programs, the role plays a critical part in ensuring commissioning supports coordination rather than fragmentation for consumers, carers and health professionals.
You will lead the delivery of key Commonwealth priorities, including mental health centres and urgent care clinics, while also identifying opportunities to further strengthen commissioning performance, explore new models and continuously improve how services are designed, procured, monitored and refined.
About you
You are a senior health leader who brings calm, credible and inclusive leadership to complex environments. You are motivated by improving access to care and supporting teams to perform at their best, particularly during periods of transformation and change.
You bring a strong understanding of commissioning, primary care and the broader health system, combined with the ability to lead diverse programs, engage constructively with service providers and partners, and maintain focus on delivery without losing sight of longer-term strategy.
You are values-aligned, collaborative and solutions-focused, with the judgement to know when to stabilise, when to improve and when to innovate.
You will bring:
- Senior leadership experience in health, with exposure to commissioning, primary care or complex service systems.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and engage multidisciplinary teams through change while maintaining performance and culture.
- Experience planning, designing or implementing health or community services across diverse programs.
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills, including working with Boards, committees, government, service providers and community partners
- A sound understanding of commissioning, contracting and performance management in the Australian health context.
- Tertiary qualifications in Health or extensive senior leadership experience relevant to the role.
In addition to a competitive remuneration package, the PHN offers a range of employee benefits including:
- Company vehicle, with private use available at employee cost
- 12% employer superannuation contribution
- Salary packaging benefits including:
- Up to $15,900 per annum tax free salary packaging
- Up to $2,650 per annum pre-tax for entertainment expenses, including meals and holiday accommodation
- Flexible working arrangements
- Additional paid leave
- Parental leave for all parents
- Professional development, education and training opportunities
- Access to an Employee Assistance Program
- Access to a Corporate Fitness Program
For a confidential discussion or role related questions, please contact Jess Lewy or Gary Cronin of The Orchard Talent Group on HNECCPHN@orchardtalent.com.au. To apply please submit your current CV, a 1-2 page cover letter via email to HNECCPHN@orchardtalent.com.au
Please note applicants must have a legal right to work in Australia.
Applications close Sunday 18 January 2026.
The Orchard Talent Group acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work. We pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging, for they hold the memories, traditions, culture and hopes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.