Contract Manager - Commissioned Mental Health Services
Job no: 936579
Work type: Part time (18.75 hours per week, up to 15 April 2028)
Location: Adelaide Metro Northern
Categories: Administration, Business and Management, Corporate Services, Procurement and Supply Chain and Contract Management
* Northern Adelaide Local Health Network–Northern Mental Health - Salisbury
* Salary: $102,171 - $108,071 per annum (pro rata) plus Superannuation and Salary Sacrifice benefits – ASO6
Shape the future of crisis care in South Australia
This is a rare and exciting opportunity to step into a newly created Contract Manager role overseeing one of South Australia's most innovative mental health initiatives – the Crisis Stabilisation Centre (CSC), delivered in partnership with Sonder.
As the Contract Manager, you will play a pivotal leadership role in ensuring this brand-new service delivers on its promise: providing safe, compassionate and high‐quality support to people experiencing mental health and suicidal distress.
About the Crisis Stabilisation Centre
The Crisis Stabilisation Centre is a transformative new service designed to provide immediate, short‐term support for people in crisis.
* Trauma‐informed care that recognises and responds to individual experiences
* Culturally sensitive services, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
* A safe, compassionate alternative to emergency departments
* Support for individuals experiencing mental health distress or suicide ideation
Importantly, the Centre has been co‐designed with people with lived experience, including Aboriginal, non‐Aboriginal and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities — ensuring the service reflects real community needs and perspectives.
With disproportionately higher rates of suicide among Aboriginal people, the Centre provides a critical opportunity to deliver culturally responsive, accessible and meaningful care, strengthening trust and connection with communities.
About the Role
Based within Northern Mental Health services, you will oversee contract management for commissioned mental health services, ensuring quality service delivery and effective partnerships with external providers.
In this high‐impact role, you will:
* Provide end‐to‐end contract oversight for the Crisis Stabilisation Centre
* Monitor and drive performance against key performance indicators (KPIs), outcomes and financial commitments
* Lead contract governance, reporting and performance reviews
* Build strong relationships with Sonder and key stakeholders to ensure the service delivers safe, effective and person‐centred care
* Identify risks, implement improvement strategies and ensure compliance with SA Health frameworks
* Prepare executive‐level reports and provide strategic advice to senior leadership
* Support continuous improvement initiatives across commissioned services
About You
You are an experienced and confident contract or program manager with the ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels.
You will bring:
* Proven experience managing complex service contracts, ideally in health or human services
* Strong capability in performance monitoring, KPI management and reporting
* Demonstrated experience in risk management, governance and compliance
* Highly developed stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills
* Advanced ability to analyse data and translate insights into action
* Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, including preparation of executive briefings and reports
* An ability to effectively manage multiple, diverse and competing priorities and demonstrate resilience within a stressful and complex environment
Benefits of working at NALHN
* Salary packaging options to save money by paying for everyday expenses from your salary before it is taxed
* Relocation assistance may be available for successful applicants from interstate or overseas
* A supportive work environment that fosters a culture of belonging and safety, encouraging people to use their talents and be valued and rewarded for their contributions
* Flexibility to discuss part‐time arrangements and other flexible work options
Diversity and Inclusion
SA Health is committed to providing an inclusive workplace that embraces diversity and inclusion for all employees. We strongly encourage applications from people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, culturally diverse backgrounds, members of the LGBTIQA+SB community, and people who live with disability and/or neurodivergence. We are committed to making workplace adjustments to provide a positive and supportive work environment.
Checks and Requirements
* DHS Working With Children Check (WWCC)
* National Police Certificate (NPC) for employment involving unsupervised contact with vulnerable groups required for this position (e.g., aged care employment or work involving vulnerable clients)
* Appointment will be subject to a satisfactory Criminal History Check
Immunisation Risk for this Position
Category C (minimal patient contact). SA Health Services are required to implement the addressing vaccine‐preventable disease: Occupational assessment, screening and vaccination policy in the workplace.
Additional Information
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants are encouraged to apply.
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