Clinical Director

Northern Territory Government; Alice Springs; On-site; AUD 270,000 - 299,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

12% superannuation

Generous leave

Professional development leave

Salary packaging options

Job summary

Northern Territory Government in Alice Springs is seeking a Clinical Director of Psychiatry to provide strategic clinical leadership across inpatient, community, and specialized services in the Central Australia region.

You will drive service development, govern psychiatric practice, and build a sustainable workforce while delivering evidence-based, person-centred, and culturally responsive care in partnership with Aboriginal health leaders and government stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Current registration with the Medical Board of Australia as a Specialist Psychiatrist.
• Fellowship of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (FRANZCP) or equivalent.
• Demonstrated high-level leadership experience in complex clinical environments.
• Strong communication, negotiation and conflict resolution capability.
• A deep understanding of the mental health needs of Aboriginal peoples, and the ability to lead culturally safe, community informed and trauma aware mental health services.

Responsibilities

• Clinical governance and oversight of psychiatric services across inpatient, community, and specialist settings.
• Leadership of service reform and model of care development.
• Workforce leadership, supervision and capability building.
• Strengthening culturally safe practice in partnership with Aboriginal communities.
• Supporting quality improvement and patient safety initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Cultural safety

Education

FRANZCP Fellowship

Medical Board Specialist Psychiatrist registration

Job description

(including salary $270,033 - $298,705) + generous allowances and professional development leave.

Mental Health Services Central Australia Region

Alice Springs

One Full Time Vacancy Fixed from 08/09/2026 for 5 Years is Available

The Department of Health manages the Northern Territory public health system as one integrated service across five regions, delivering essential health services from prevention through to acute care rehabilitation and palliative support.

Located in Alice Springs, the Mental Health and Other Drugs Services (MHAOD) team is seeking an accomplished and visionary Clinical Director of Psychiatry to provide strategic clinical leadership across a diverse, multidisciplinary service operating within one of Australia’s most culturally significant and clinically unique regions.

As Clinical Director, you will hold overarching responsibility for the governance, safety, and quality of psychiatric practice across inpatient, community, and specialist services. You will lead service development, strengthen clinical governance frameworks and support a sustainable psychiatric workforce, ensuring the delivery of evidence‑based, person‑centred and culturally responsive care.

Working in partnership with Aboriginal health leaders and clinicians, and in collaboration with government and community stakeholders, you will play a critical role in shaping models of care that honour cultural knowledge, promote recovery, and respond effectively to the needs of the Central Australian region.

Key responsibilities include:

• Clinical governance and oversight of psychiatric services
• Leadership of service reform and model of care development
• Workforce leadership, supervision and capability building
• Strengthening culturally safe practice in partnership with Aboriginal communities
• Supporting quality improvement and patient safety initiatives

To be successful, you will require:

• Current registration with the Medical Board of Australia as a Specialist Psychiatrist
• Fellowship of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (FRANZCP) or equivalent
• Demonstrated high‑level leadership experience in complex clinical environments
• Strong communication, negotiation and conflict resolution capability
• A deep understanding of the mental health needs of Aboriginal peoples, and the ability to lead culturally safe, community informed and trauma aware mental health services
• Commitment to working in partnership with Aboriginal communities to improve mental health outcomes

In return, you will enjoy a competitive remuneration package, salary packaging options, 12% superannuation, generous recreational leave, personal and professional development leave and the opportunity to contribute to a region where clinical leadership has an immediate and lasting impact.