Apunipima Cape York Health Council is a community-controlled Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health organisation delivering primary health care, public health, and social and emotional wellbeing services across Cape York. Based in Cairns, we work in partnership with communities to improve health outcomes, strengthen local capacity, and support community-led solutions for better health and wellbeing.

About the Opportunity

Reporting to the Executive Manager, Clinical Services, the Operations Manager provides leadership, direction and operational oversight to Primary Health Care Centre Managers across multiple Cape York communities.

The role is responsible for supporting the effective delivery of community-based primary health care services, ensuring programs meet organisational objectives, contractual requirements, accreditation standards and community expectations.

Working closely with centre managers and multidisciplinary teams, you will drive continuous improvement, strengthen workforce capability, support service planning and contribute to improved health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Cape York.

Key responsibilities include:

- Providing operational leadership and support to Primary Health Care Centre Managers.
- Managing the delivery of protected, effective and culturally responsive primary health care services.
- Leading the service planning development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
- Monitoring performance against service agreements, contracts, budgets and key performance indicators.
- Supporting accreditation, clinical governance and quality improvement processes.
- Contributing to workforce planning, recruitment, performance management and staff development initiatives.
- Identifying and managing operational risks and supporting emergency preparedness and response activities.
- Developing and maintaining effective relationships with communities, government agencies, external stakeholders and partner organisations.
- Using data, performance information and evidence to inform decision-making and improve service outcomes.
- Supporting organisational change initiatives and service development projects.

Under section 25 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991,



there is a genuine occupational requirement for the incumbent to be Indigenous to the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community.

About you:

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

- Significant operational management experience leading multidisciplinary teams across multiple service sites, preferably within remote or complex health service environments.
- Demonstrated ability to lead operational, service and team development initiatives, including managing change and building high-performing teams.
- Experience in service planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting, including achievement of key performance indicators and program deliverables.
- Experience ensuring clinical operations are aligned with best practice, legislation, accreditation standards, organisational policies and continuous quality improvement principles.
- Sound knowledge of clinical service delivery in remote and complex environments and an understanding of the impact of social determinants on health and wellbeing.
- Robust leadership and mentoring skills with experience supporting managers in workforce planning, recruitment, performance management and operational decision-making.
- Well-developed communication and stakeholder engagement skills and experience working collaboratively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders, elders and community groups as well as government agencies and service providers.
- Demonstrated understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community control and the historical and contemporary issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly within Cape York communities.
- Ability to communicate respectfully and effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in accordance with community protocols and customs.
- Willingness and capacity to travel throughout Cape York,



including travel by light aircraft and four-wheel drive.

Mandatory Requirement:

- Qualification in Management, Health Management, Human Services or Behavioural Sciences.
- Current Queensland Drivers Licence
- Blue Card (Working with Children Card)
- Australian Federal Police Check

Desirable

- Experience providing operational leadership in a Primary Health Care service, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service, or other complex health service environment.

Additional Benefit

- Opportunity to contribute to improved health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Cape York.
- Leadership role influencing service delivery across multiple communities.

Why work for us?

- Competitive salary $134,887 per annum
- Modern facilities and resources
- 5 weeks annual leave & 17.5% leave loading
- Generous salary packaging of up to $15,900 per year
- Induction, professional development and learning opportunities
- EAP program

Our Culture Apunipima, meaning "united - all in one" in Injinoo Ikya, was established in 1994 to advocate and support the health needs of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of Cape York. Over the years, Apunipima has expanded to become a key primary health care provider across Cape York. Guided by the "Apunipima Way," Apunipima is committed to service by the people, for the people, upholding the right to self-determination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We acknowledge and respect the voices of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Cape York and ensure our services are culturally responsive, informed, respectful, and ethically sound.

How to Apply

Don't miss the opportunity to join Apunipima Cape York Health Council. If you're interested in this role, please submit:

- A current resume (CV)
- A cover letter outlining your suitability for the position
- Responses to the screening questions

Applications close: Friday, 30 October 2026. For a confidential discussion about the role or if you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact the Human Resources Team at [email protected].

Apunipima Cape York Health Council is an equal-opportunity employer

📌 Operations Manager Primary Health Care Centres (Cairns)
🏢 Apunipima Cape York Health Council
📍 Cairns