Employment Type: Temporary Part Time Until October 2027 Position Classification: Health Manager Level 2 Remuneration: $118,821.00
- $140,201.00 Per annum + Salary Packaging Hours Per Week: 16 Requisition ID: REQ699953

Location:
Matar Mental Health Centre, Waratah Applications Close: Sunday, 15th November 2026 at 11:59pm Lead meaningful change in mental health services by championing lived experience, strengthening consumer participation and ensuring the voices of consumers and carers shape the care they receive. About The Opportunity Make a meaningful difference in mental health services by championing the voices of people with lived experience. Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD) is seeking an experienced Participation Manager – Lived Experience to lead the Lived Experience Service within Hunter New England Mental Health Service (HNEMHS). Based in Newcastle with a district-wide focus, you will manage the Lived Experience Participation Unit, alongside the Volunteer Service and Professional Lead for Peer Work.

About The Role
You will support safe and effective engagement and participation for people with lived experience of mental health issues across individual, service, program and organisational levels. Working Mondays and Tuesdays, you will lead a team of two direct reports and work collaboratively with consumers, carers, clinicians and stakeholders to drive initiatives that enhance consumer experiences, strengthen systemic advocacy and support service redesign and innovation. You will also lead the development, implementation and evaluation of strategies that ensure consumers are partners in their own care, while overseeing consumer participation across mental health services. About You You will bring:
• Demonstrated experience representing consumers and an understanding of health participation.
• Experience leading teams and individuals, with the ability to achieve outcomes across projects and service delivery.
• The ability to navigate complex systems and negotiate with stakeholders to implement strategies aligned with the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care's Standard Two – Partnering with Consumers.
• Demonstrated knowledge of inpatient, community and rehabilitation mental health services and contemporary recovery-oriented service delivery in NSW.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills,



with the ability to build productive relationships, consult, negotiate and champion cultural change. Essential Requirements
• Tertiary qualifications in health or social sciences relevant to mental health or extensive experience working in mental health or a combination of both study and experience.
• Consumer or carer lived experience of mental illness. The Perks At Hunter New England Health enjoy a career where you're challenged by interesting work and surrounded by spectacular locations. Join the team enriching health in millions of ways every day: ? Sustainable Healthcare: Together towards zero ?️ Proximity to shopping and other services ? 4 weeks annual leave (pro-rata for part time employees) ? Paid parental leave (for eligible employees)
- giving you the opportunity for true Worklife balance ? Salary packaging options
- up to $11,600 plus novated leasing ?️ Fitness Passport for health and well-being
- discounted gym options for you and your family ⭐ Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for staff and family members Need more information?
• Click here for the Position Description
• Find out more about applying for this position For role related queries or questions contact Katherine Bowman on Kate.
[email protected] Additional Information: At Hunter New England Local Health District, we are an inclusive employer dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace. Our commitment to a workforce that reflects the community we care for is essential for delivering the highest quality healthcare to our community. We encourage people with diverse lived experiences to apply. If you require any accommodations or adjustments to the recruitment process, please let us know when you apply or at any stage of the process. We will work with you to meet your needs and create the best possible experience. Please contact [email protected] for confidential support.



Hunter New England Health is dedicated to fostering a child-safe environment that respects and upholds the rights of children and young people, aligned with NSW Health’s commitment to implementing the Child Safe Standards. We aim to ensure that children and young people feel safe, supported, and included in their care. All current and prospective staff are expected to prioritise the safety, welfare, and well-being of children and young people, actively working to protect them from harm and abuse. To be eligible for permanent employment in this position you must be an Australian Citizen, or a permanent resident of Australia, or a New Zealand citizen with a current New Zealand Passport. Employment of a temporary visa holder may only occur if no suitable local candidate is identified for the position; in this instance, you may only be offered employment in line with the conditions and expiry date of your visa. We are unable to accommodate visa sponsorship for applicants requiring a visa for this position. An eligibility list will be created for future temporary part time vacancies. Information for Applicants: Applicants will be assessed against the essential requirements and selection criteria contained within the position description (link below). For assistance addressing selection criteria visit: https://bit.ly/3vL5fq2 Stepping Up Website is a resource designed to help indigenous job applicants apply for positions in NSW Health. For more information, please visit: https://bit.ly/HNEHealthSteppingUp This is a Category A position. Recommended applicants will be reviewed for compliance with NSW Health policy directive PD2024_015: Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination against Specified Infectious Diseases for Category A positions prior to offer. All new employees must agree to comply with the requirements outlined in the policy. Salary Packaging: is beneficial to most Hunter New England Health employees and may increase your take-home pay Salary package a range of personal expenses including novated motor vehicle leases, relocation expenses, and HECS/HELP debt. Find out more by contacting SalaryPackagingPLUS via [email protected] or 1300 40 25 23. Hunter New England Health employees may be eligible for a range of benefits such as allocated days off (ADO) for full time employees, long service leave, paid maternity leave, and salary packaging options including meal expenses. Connect with us on Facebook and LinkedIn

📌 Participation Manager (Newcastle)
🏢 Hunter New England Local Health District
📍 Newcastle