Your impact, where you’re really needed.
As our highly valued Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs Team Lead, you’ll use your people leadership skills to drive a high performing central intake team supporting timely access to mental health services, be responsible for the regional commissioning of mental health and alcohol and other drug services, as well as delivering sector capacity building and integration projects.
You’ll make an impact at scale by:
* Coaching and motivating a small team, developing capability and potential in others.
* Managing the following portfolio areas:
* SWSPHN central intake, including Medicare Mental Health Phone Line hub and spoke approach.
* SWSPHN mental health governance
* Regional planning activity
* Medicare Mental Health Centre commissioning and portfolio management
* Providing strategic vision to direct reports, and contributing to strategic vision of the wider Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs Team
* Proactively identifying opportunities and driving quality improvement initiatives.
* Using your highly developed communication and interpersonal skills to work with internal and external stakeholders, including the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and other Primary Health Networks.
* Keeping up to date with sector and funding body policy or reforms that impact our work.
What you'll bring
To succeed in this role, you will have:
* Tertiary qualifications in a relevant field (for example, Psychology, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Nursing, Mental Health, Health Promotion, Public Health, Health Service Management) or equivalent work experience, or a combination of study and work experience.
* Demonstrated experience in leading a small team.
* Demonstrated experience and/or knowledge of the community-based health sector, including mental health governance, initial assessment and referral, and cloud-based intake and referral systems.
* Demonstrated ability to manage a complex portfolio with competing priorities.
* Demonstrated ability to use critical and strategic thinking and engage multiple perspectives.
* Extensive track record of high level internal and external stakeholder engagement and development of partnerships on a regional level.
* Demonstrated experience in leading and/or coordinating innovative approaches to system change.
Desirable:
* Ability to lead a project or program including development of a project brief, budgeting, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
* Demonstrated experience and/or an understanding of commissioning, including procurement and contract management.
A healthy community. A healthy career.
Are you ready to be part of something bigger, something good?
At South Western Sydney Primary Health Network (SWSPHN), our mission is simple: we’re building healthier communities. Through connection and care, we tackle the region's healthcare challenges by supporting primary health providers. As a not-for-profit, we’re passionate about improving services to meet the diverse and evolving needs of our community.
That really matters. And so do you.
Why South Western Sydney PHN?
We’re a values-driven organisation that sees and supports you as a whole person. What we do isn’t easy, there are many moving parts, but we’re deeply invested in the health of our region, and in your wellbeing.
Here’s what you can expect when you work with us:
Make a Real Impact
As our Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs Team Lead, you’ll play a hands-on role in strengthening primary care and improving outcomes for thousands. Every day, you’ll help move the dial on healthcare and make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
Work in a Way That Works for You
We understand that life doesn’t always fit a 9-to-5. Whether it’s a school drop-off, a family celebration, or hybrid working, we trust you to do your best work—your way. And you’ll find approachable leaders who are genuinely committed to your growth and success.
Be Part of a Kind and Talented Team
The people you work with matter. At SWSPHN, you’ll join a team of dedicated, passionate professionals who collaborate, support one another, and share a deep commitment to primary health.
Are you ready to be part of something bigger?
Join SWSPHN and build a healthy career that works for you.
To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter by Sunday 01 March 2026. To find out more, contact Pritika Desai, Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs Manager, on 02 4632 3***.
Parental leave contract until 26 February 2027.
The communities we support are very diverse, and so are their healthcare needs. SWSPHN benefits greatly from a team that brings together many different perspectives and experiences, and we’re proud of our inclusive culture. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people from all backgrounds.
Preferred applicants must have the right to work in Australia and will be subject to a Criminal Record Check.