Director - Communications Centre (512485)

Department of Health, Tasmania; Hobart; On-site; AUD 166,000 - 203,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Professional development

Leave entitlements including study le­

Fitness Passport

Job summary

Ambulance Tasmania, part of the Department of Health, Tasmania, invites applications for a Director to lead the Statewide Communications Centre and radio infrastructure. The role drives safe, efficient emergency communications, shaping strategy, performance, and resilience across Tasmania.

The successful candidate will lead a 24/7 operation, manage sizeable budgets, and build strong cross‑agency partnerships to deliver transformational improvements in emergency response services.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading large, complex operational teams in a high‑pressure environment.
• Strong strategic leadership with ability to translate priorities into outcomes.
• Experience managing significant budgets, workforce and 24/7 operations.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and partnerships across government, health and emergency services.
• Experience leading organisational change and technology/work practice implementation.
• Sound understanding of emergency communications, dispatch and patient transport.
• Analytical and decision‑making skills to manage risk and continuity.
• Strong communication skills for executive reporting and ministerial correspondence.

Responsibilities

• Oversee statewide communications centre and radio infrastructure.
• Lead strategic planning and drive service improvement and innovation.
• Manage financial, human and physical resources with 24/7 performance accountability.
• Foster partnerships with emergency services and health agencies.
• Provide executive guidance and strategic advice to senior leaders.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Budget management

Stakeholder engagement

Change management

Emergency communications

Performance improvement

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor of Paramedic Science

Management qualification or equivalent

Job description

The Role

Ambulance Tasmania is seeking an experienced and strategic leader to oversee the Statewide Communications Centre and radio communications infrastructure. This critical leadership role is responsible for ensuring the delivery of safe, efficient and effective emergency communications services, while providing strategic and operational advice to support organisational priorities. The Director leads the management of financial, human and physical resources, drives service improvement and innovation, and fosters strong partnerships with emergency services and other key stakeholders. As a member of the senior leadership team, the Director plays a pivotal role in shaping the future direction, resilience and performance of emergency communications services across Tasmania.

The Team

The Communications Centre is at the heart of Ambulance Tasmania's service delivery, providing 24-hour emergency call-taking, dispatch and communications support across the state. The Centre also coordinates non-emergency patient transport and houses Ambulance Tasmania's Secondary Triage and Interfacility Coordination functions, ensuring patients are connected to the most appropriate care pathway and transport resource for their clinical needs. Working in a dynamic and high-pressure environment, the team coordinates ambulance resources and supports frontline clinicians to deliver safe, effective and timely care to the Tasmanian community. Working closely with emergency service partners, healthcare providers and operational leaders, the Communications Centre is committed to innovation, operational excellence and continuous improvement to ensure a resilient, responsive and integrated statewide service.

You will need

• Proven experience leading large, complex operational teams in a high-pressure emergency services, healthcare, communications or service delivery environment.
• Strong strategic leadership skills, with the ability to translate organisational priorities into operational outcomes and drive continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated experience managing significant budgets, workforce resources and operational performance across a 24/7 service.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills, with the ability to build effective partnerships across government, health and emergency service agencies.
• Experience leading organisational change, service innovation and the implementation of contemporary technologies and work practices.
• A sound understanding of emergency communications, dispatch, patient transport, secondary triage, interfacility coordination or related service delivery functions.
• Well-developed analytical and decision-making skills, including the ability to manage risk, maintain business continuity and support operational resilience.
• Strong communication skills, with experience preparing executive reports, ministerial correspondence and strategic advice for senior leaders.
• A commitment to fostering a positive workplace culture, developing high-performing teams and promoting safety, quality and accountability.

Details of appointment

Permanent full time, day worker position, working 76 hours per fortnight, commencing as soon as possible (where applicable).

• Notwithstanding hours to be negotiated with the successful applicant.

Applicants should note that, for a period of twelve months from the date of publication, this selection process may be used to fill subsequent or similar full time, part time, and casual vacancies.

Salary

$184,176 per annum. Our Employer 12% superannuation contribution is on top of this amount.

• Salary range is in accordance with Ambulance Tasmania Agreement 2025

Salary Packaging

You’ll have access to salary package a range of benefits including living expenses up to $9,010 + $2,650 in meal entertainment each FBT year + other benefits if eligible.

Allowances

• Professional Development Allowance of up to $1000 per annum

Benefits Available To Eligible Candidates

• Travel and relocation assistance support available up to $10,000 for eligible appointees from overseas, and up to $5,000 for appointees from interstate.
• Professional development and accelerated pathways.
• A range of leave entitlements, including study leave and Professional Development Support.
• Fitness Passport – You, and your family can access 40+ fitness facilities across Tasmania for just $14.50 per week per person, or $28.05 for a family.

More information about our Employee Benefits can be found here

Eligibility

Successful applicants will be required to meet the essential criteria.

• Registered with the Paramedicine Board of Australia.
• Holds a Bachelor of Paramedic Science or other qualification approved by the Service and relevant work experience with an additional qualification in management or equivalent.
• Current Driver’s Licence.
• Registration/licences that are essential requirements of this role must remain current and valid at all times whilst employed in this role and the status of these may be checked at any time during employment. It is the employee’s responsibility to ensure that registration/licences remain current and to advise the Employer if their circumstances change. This includes notifying the Employer if a registration/licence is revoked, cancelled or has its conditions altered.

Applicants should note the following criteria are desirable:

• Management qualifications or substantial managerial experience at senior manager or executive level.
• Significant experience in ambulance operations with a focus on the emergency services communication function.

Download the Statement of Duties and any Associated Documents

We encourage you to review the Statement of Duties, Applicant Guide, prior to applying for an overview of the duties, program, selection process and application guidance.

• Statement of Duties: 512485 Director - Communications Centre MAN3B (August 2023) CSU.docx
• Application Guide: Applicant Guide.docx

For more information

Applicants who require further information are encouraged to contact the Contact person for detailed information about the vacancy.

Name: Charles Wendell-Smith

Position: Executive Director Operations

Phone number: 0484572782

Email address: [e-mail]

What it is like working at the Department of Health?

Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Excellence are the key values to work in Department of Health. Listen to some of the lived experiences from within the department through some of our wonderful staff and hear about their journey in relocating to Tasmania!

• Move to Tasmania | Tasmanian
• One Health Podcast - Spotify
• One Health Podcast - Apple
• Tasmanian Health Careers | Tasmanian
• Department of Health has achieved the “Carer Accredited Employer Status” providing support to employees with caring responsibilities. (Find out more under the Carer Recognition Act 2023)
• Respecting diversity is the foundation of everything that Department of Health do. This allows us to instil trust and collaborate through honest and fair communication and helps cultivate an environment of growth and innovation.
• We strongly encourage applicants from key communities including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, LGBTIQA+ people, and people living with disabilities.