Deputy Director-General

Council Jobs; Canberra; Hybrid; AUD 459,000 - 473,000; Full time

Job summary

ACT Government in Canberra is seeking Deputy Director-General, Health, a senior executive role shaping health and community services strategy across the ACT. You will collaborate with the Director-General to provide strategic leadership, advise government, and build partnerships that translate policy into better services for Canberrans.

You will lead system-wide reforms, engage stakeholders, and oversee financial performance while negotiating with Commonwealth and NSW governments to advance

Qualifications

• You will have significant experience leading complex portfolios with frontline service delivery and substantial public resources.
• Able to provide strategic, influential and evidence-based advice on complex policy and operational matters.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills to align diverse views.
• Strong understanding of health and community service systems and governance frameworks.
• Proven track record in leading organisational reform and delivering sustainable improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead health system and community services improvements with stakeholders to enhance service delivery.
• Provide high-level advice to Ministers on policy, service delivery and administration.
• Partner with Canberra Health Services CEO on health service strategy and planning.
• Represent ACT in local and national forums and oversee people, resources and financial performance.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Negotiation skills

Policy advisory experience

Public sector governance understanding

Education

Relevant tertiary qualifications

Job description

Classification: Executive Level 3.4
Position No: E1392
Directorate: Health and Community Services
Advertised (Gazettal date): 04 November 2026
Contact Officer: Nick Greval-Kendall on*********@orchardtalent.com.auor0468 022 ***

Details: The Health and Community Services Directorate supports the health and wellbeing of the ACT community through health policy, strategic planning and a broad range of community services.

Its responsibilities span health system strategy and population health, alongside housing, homelessness, disability, domestic and family violence, and services for children, young people and families.

The Directorate is committed to Closing the Gap and working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. A genuine affinity with, and the ability to build trusted, respectful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body and community organisations will be important to success in this role.

The opportunity

The Deputy Director-General, Health is a senior executive role with the opportunity to influence the future of health and community services across the ACT. Working closely with the Director-General, you will provide strategic leadership across a complex portfolio, advise government and build partnerships that translate policy and investment into better services for the community.
You will:

• Lead health system and community services improvements, working with stakeholders to address challenges and improve service delivery.
• Provide high-level advice to Ministers on complex policy, service delivery and administrative matters, and support the delivery of government commitments.
• Partner with the CEO of Canberra Health Services on health service strategy and planning and collaborate across ACT Government directorates and agencies.
• Represent the ACT in local and national forums, lead negotiations with the Commonwealth and NSW governments, and oversee people, resources and financial performance.

About you

You are an accomplished, values-driven executive with experience leading in large, complex and high-profile environments. You bring strategic foresight, sound judgement and political acumen, with the ability to lead system-wide reform and build confidence across government, stakeholders and the community.

You will have:

• Significant experience leading complex portfolios, including frontline service delivery, major programs and projects, and substantial public resources and budgets.
• The ability to provide strategic, influential and evidence-based advice on complex policy, legislative and operational matters to Ministers and senior decision-makers.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills, with a proven ability to align diverse interests and build consensus across sectors and jurisdictions.
• A strong understanding of health and community service systems, including relevant legislation, governance frameworks, intergovernmental arrangements and service delivery challenges.
• Demonstrated capability to lead organisational reform, drive innovation and deliver sustainable improvements to services and community outcomes.
• A proven record of leading people with integrity and fostering a respectful, inclusive and high-performing culture grounded in public sector accountability.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications.

What’s on Offer

• A unique opportunity to shape the future of health and community services in the ACT and make a lasting difference to the lives of Canberrans.
• A high-profile executive leadership role with the ability to influence government priorities, system reform and service outcomes.
• The opportunity to drive innovation and implement transformative change across complex service systems and portfolios.
• The chance to work alongside government, sector and community leaders to deliver meaningful and lasting outcomes for the ACT community.
• A Canberra-based role on Ngunnawal Country, with flexible and contemporary working arrangements.

All ACTPS Senior Executive Service members are required to exercise the functions of their position in accordance with the closing the gap principleACT Closing the Gap Implementation Plan - ACT Government Transparency Portal

Remuneration:

The position attracts a remuneration package ranging from $458,828 - $473,025 depending on current superannuation arrangements of the successful applicant. This includes a cash component of $405,625.

Contract:

The successful applicant will be engaged under a performance-based long-term contract for a period of up to five years. Prospective applicants should be aware that long-term engagements are tabled in the ACT Legislative Assembly.