Participation Manager - Lived Experience

Hunter New England Local Health District; Newcastle; On-site; AUD 119,000 - 140,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Sustainable Healthcare

Proximity to shopping and services

4 weeks annual leave (pro-rated for PT

Paid parental leave

Salary packaging up to $11,600 plus 
-

Fitness Passport

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Hunter New England Local Health District in Newcastle is seeking a Participation Manager – Lived Experience to lead the Lived Experience Service within Mental Health. The role supports consumer involvement district-wide and oversees a two-person direct-report team from Matar Mental Health Centre, Waratah.

The position requires experience championing consumer voices, strong stakeholder negotiation, and a commitment to recovery-oriented service delivery within NSW health services.

Qualifications

• Experience leading teams and individuals.
• Ability to engage consumers and carers in service design.
• Knowledge of NSW health systems and consumer participation.
• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills.
• Qualifications in health or social sciences preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Lived Experience Participation Unit.
• Oversee engagement across services and programs.
• Collaborate with clinicians and stakeholders to drive improvement.
• Develop and evaluate strategies for consumer participation.

Skills

Team leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Consumer representation

Communication skills

Education

Tertiary qualifications in health or social sciences

Job description

Participation Manager - Lived Experience

Hunter New England Local Health District – Waratah NSW

Employment Type:Temporary Part Time Until October 2027
Position Classification:Health Manager Level 2
Remuneration:$118,821.00 - $140,201.00 Per annum + Salary Packaging
Hours Per Week:16
Requisition ID:REQ699953
Location: Matar Mental Health Centre, Waratah
Applications Close: Sunday, 15th November 2026 at 11:59pm

About the Opportunity

Make a meaningful difference in mental health services by championing the voices of people with lived experience. Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD) is seeking an experienced Participation Manager – Lived Experience to lead the Lived Experience Service within Hunter New England Mental Health Service (HNEMHS). Based in Newcastle with a district-wide focus, you will manage the Lived Experience Participation Unit, alongside the Volunteer Service and Professional Lead for Peer Work.

About the Role

You will support safe and effective engagement and participation for people with lived experience of mental health issues across individual, service, program and organisational levels. Working Mondays and Tuesdays, you will lead a team of two direct reports and work collaboratively with consumers, carers, clinicians and stakeholders to drive initiatives that enhance consumer experiences, strengthen systemic advocacy and support service redesign and innovation. You will also lead the development, implementation and evaluation of strategies that ensure consumers are partners in their own care, while overseeing consumer participation across mental health services.

About You

You will bring:

Demonstrated experience representing consumers and an understanding of health participation.

Experience leading teams and individuals, with the ability to achieve outcomes across projects and service delivery.

The ability to navigate complex systems and negotiate with stakeholders to implement strategies aligned with the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care's Standard Two – Partnering with Consumers.

Demonstrated knowledge of inpatient, community and rehabilitation mental health services and contemporary recovery-oriented service delivery in NSW.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build productive relationships, consult, negotiate and champion cultural change.

Tertiary qualifications in health or social sciences relevant to mental health or extensive experience working in mental health or a combination of both study and experience.

Consumer or carer lived experience of mental illness.

The Perks

AtHunter New England Healthenjoy a career whereyou'rechallenged by interesting work and surrounded by spectacular locations. Join the team enriching health in millions of ways every day:

• Sustainable Healthcare: Together towards zero
• Proximity to shopping and other services
• 4 weeks annual leave (pro-rata for part time employees)
• Paid parental leave (for eligible employees) - giving you the opportunity for true Worklife balance
• Salary packaging options-up to $11,600 plus novated leasing
• Fitness Passportfor health and well-being - discounted gym options for you and your family
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for staff and family members