SA Health

Job reference: 950676

Location: 5001 - ADELAIDE

Job status: Ongoing

Eligibility: Open to Everyone SA Health

Director, Aboriginal and Regional Environmental Health

Full Time, Permanent | Adelaide, SA | $144,421 + 12% Super

This is an identified position and only open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates.

About the organisation

SA Health leads and delivers a comprehensive and sustainable health system focused on supporting healthier, longer and better lives for all South Australians. SA Health is committed to providing an inclusive workplace that embraces diversity and inclusion for all employees.

Within the Department for Health and Wellbeing, the Public Health Division, led by the Chief Public Health Officer protects and promotes the health of South Australians by administering public health legislation, coordinating disease control and prevention programs, and delivering strategic population health planning, regulatory, and health disaster emergency management functions in partnership with key stakeholders. The Division encompasses the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer, Communicable Disease Control, Health Protection and Regulation, and Public Health Planning and Response.

Public Health Planning and Response (PHPR) provides strategic, operational and enabling functions that support the Chief Public Health Officer, the Public Health Division, and the broader public health system. PHPR leads health disaster emergency management; climate change public health advice; state and regional public health planning; Aboriginal and regional environmental health programs; blood, organ and tissue policy and stewardship; and provides business and digital support functions across the Public Health Division.

The Aboriginal and Regional Environmental Health Team delivers environmental health services in South Australia's Out-of-Council areas, covering approximately 63% of the state's geography. The team conducts regulatory functions including food safety, water quality, wastewater management, and disease prevention, and leads Aboriginal Environmental Health initiatives.

About the role

Reporting to the Executive Director, Public Health Planning and Response, the Director leads the Aboriginal and Regional Environmental Health Team and provides strategic leadership across Aboriginal and regional environmental health priorities within the Public Health Division, while influencing broader system priorities through partnerships across SA Health, government and the community.

The role will act as a catalyst and connector across SA Health, government and community, strengthening Aboriginal partnerships, cross-government collaboration and culturally responsive policy, practice and system leadership.

A key focus will be working with Aboriginal communities, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, Elders, Aboriginal leaders, Local Health Networks, government agencies and other partners to improve environmental health outcomes,



particularly across regional and remote South Australia. The Director will provide strategic oversight of programs, funding and partnerships, influence emerging policy and system responses, and strengthen integrated approaches across environmental health, housing, communicable disease prevention, emergency preparedness and broader population health.

Working closely with the Manager Regional Environmental Health, the Director will support the effective delivery of environmental health services across regional and remote South Australia while maintaining a focus on strategic leadership, partnerships and system outcomes.

The Director will also provide high-level strategic advice, executive and Ministerial briefings, represent the Public Health Division on state and national forums, and contribute to public health emergency preparedness and response when required.

For a full list of responsibilities associated with this role, please contact Pipeline Talent via ****@pipelinetalent.com.au.

About you

You are an experienced leader who brings strong cultural knowledge and significant experience working with Aboriginal communities, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and Aboriginal community governance structures. You bring a strong understanding of Aboriginal health, cultural authority and the protocols required to work respectfully and effectively across diverse communities.

You do not need to be a technical environmental health specialist; however, you will be comfortable leading teams that deliver specialist regulatory and environmental health functions and drawing on expert advice to support strategic decision-making.

Strategic and systems-focused, you can operate confidently across government, health and complex multi-agency environments where accountability is often shared. You understand the mechanisms of government and can translate complex issues into clear strategic advice, high-quality executive and Ministerial briefings, reports, correspondence and recommendations that support informed decision-making. You are politically astute, comfortable navigating governance, policy and reform environments, and able to influence senior executives, government stakeholders and cross-sector partners.

As a people leader, you build trust, capability and accountability, creating a culturally protected and collaborative environment while bringing stakeholders together around shared priorities and outcomes.

Why this role matters

This is a rare opportunity to provide statewide leadership at the intersection of Aboriginal health,



environmental health and public health. Working alongside Aboriginal communities, health leaders, government and partner organisations, you will shape policy, partnerships and system responses that improve environmental health and wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal people and communities across regional and remote South Australia.

Selection Criteria

1. Demonstrated senior leadership experience across Aboriginal health, environmental health, public health or related fields.
2. Strong cultural capability and credibility, with extensive experience working with Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.
3. Proven strategic and systems leadership across complex, multi-agency environments.
4. Exceptional stakeholder engagement, communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence across government, health and community.
5. Demonstrated ability to provide clear, strategic advice to senior executives and government, including high-quality briefings and Ministerial correspondence.
6. Demonstrated ability to build effective cross-sector partnerships and deliver improved outcomes for Aboriginal communities, particularly in regional and remote settings.
7. This is an Aboriginal identified position with SA Health and, in accordance with the applicable exemption under the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (SA), applicants must be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent and will be required to provide appropriate confirmation of Aboriginality.

What we can offer you

- Lead a senior system leadership portfolio focused on improving Aboriginal environmental and public health outcomes.
- Professional reporting relationship with the Chief Aboriginal Health Officer, providing access to senior professional and cultural guidance, alongside membership of the Public Health Division Executive forum.
- Flexible working arrangements, including flexitime and up to two days working from home each week, subject to business needs.
- Salary Packaging options available.
- Relocation support for eligible people.
- Opportunities for career progression.

How to apply

Your application should include

- A current resume.
- A cover letter responding to the selection criteria and outlining your motivation and suitability for the position.

Applications are to be submitted via the Pipeline Talent website at: https://www.pipelinetalent.com.au/jobs/

Applications close 11:59 pm Monday, 5 October 2026.

How to get more information For further information on the position, please contact the team at Pipeline Talent.

Tiana Callaughan

Head of Recruitment

**@pipelinetalent.com.au | *@pipelinetalent.com.au

M: 0476 538 | PH: 02 8001 6

Applications close: 05/10/2026 11:55 PM Flexibility Statement The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.

📌 Director, Aboriginal and Regional Environmental Health (Adelaide)
🏢 Sa Health
📍 Adelaide