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

Only applications through NSW Health Careers page will be considered - please apply via link APPLY

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 secure 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 *****@health.nsw.gov.au

📌 Participation Manager - Lived Experience (Waratah)
🏢 Hunter New England Local Health District
📍 Waratah