Director, Engagement and Communities

Canberra Health Services; Canberra; Hybrid; AUD 149,000 - 167,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working conditions

Salary packaging with fringe benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Onsite Physiotherapists

Job summary

Canberra Health Services (CHS) is seeking an experienced and strategic leader to drive our engagement and external communications function. This is a unique opportunity to lead how CHS listens, connects and communicates, ensuring the voices of staff, consumers and the wider Canberra community help inform decisions that improve health services across the ACT.

Reporting to the Senior Director, Communications, Engagement and Media, you will lead a multidisciplinary team responsible for community

Qualifications

• Experience leading strategic communications, engagement and teams.
• Ability to translate staff and community insights into action.
• Strong influencing skills and sound judgement.

Responsibilities

• Lead the engagement, communications and social media functions.
• Develop audience-centred engagement strategies and trusted advice to senior leaders.

Job description

Employment Type: Full Time, Permanent

Classification: Senior Officer Grade B (PN 36673)

Salary: $149,172 - $167,151 (Plus 12.5% Super)

Location: Hybrid

Section: Communications, Media & Government

Closing Date: 21 September 2026

What Can We Offer You

Competitive pay rates and excellent working conditions within a tertiary hospital.

Salary Packaging with many options that provide full fringe benefits tax concessions.

Flexible working conditions.

Access to Employee Assistance Program.

Access to onsite Physiotherapists.

About The Role

Canberra Health Services (CHS) is seeking an experienced and strategic leader to drive our engagement and external communications function. This is a unique opportunity to lead how CHS listens, connects and communicates, ensuring the voices of staff, consumers and the wider Canberra community help inform decisions that improve health services across the ACT.

Reporting to the Senior Director, Communications, Engagement and Media, you will lead a multidisciplinary team responsible for community and consumer engagement, staff engagement, communications, content creation and social media. Working closely with senior leaders, you will develop and deliver audience-centred engagement and communication strategies, provide trusted advice on complex and sensitive issues, and strengthen CHS's reputation through meaningful engagement and authentic storytelling.

You will champion best-practice consultation, collaboration and co-design, creating opportunities for staff, consumers and community members to contribute to the future direction of CHS. You will also lead CHS's external communications and digital presence, shaping compelling content and conversations that build trust, transparency and connection with the community.

We're looking for a confident and collaborative leader with a proven track record in strategic communications, stakeholder engagement and team leadership. You bring exceptional influencing skills, sound judgement and a passion for turning community and workforce insights into meaningful action.

At CHS, you'll have the opportunity to make a genuine impact on the health and wellbeing of Canberrans. You'll work alongside passionate professionals, partner with senior leaders on high-profile initiatives, and help shape decisions that influence the future of healthcare across the ACT.

We offer a supportive and inclusive workplace, flexible working arrangements, opportunities for leadership and professional development, and the chance to lead work that delivers real outcomes for our staff, consumers and community.

Please note prior to commencement successful candidates will be required to:

Undergo a pre-employment National Police Check.

Canberra Health Services (CHS) is focussed on the delivery of high quality, effective, person centred care. It provides acute, sub-acute, primary and community‑based health services, to the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and surrounding region. More information can be found on the CHS website .

Our Vision

: creating exceptional health care together

Our Role

: to be a health service that is trusted by our community

Our Values

: Reliable, Progressive, Respectful and Kind

CHS is committed to workforce diversity and to creating an inclusive workplace. As part of this commitment, we welcome applications from all diversity groups. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability and people who identify as LGBTQIA+ are particularly encouraged to apply.

If you would like further information regarding this opportunity, please contact Claire Foote on [phone] or at [e-mail].

Job

General/Administrative

Salary Range

149,172.0021/Sep/2026, 4:59:00 PM