Executive Director, SA Dental

The SA Health’s Statewide Clinical Support Services (SCSS) s seeking an accomplished and experienced leader to join its team as the Executive Director, SA Dental (ED, SA Dental). This pivotal role offers an opportunity to shape the future of oral health services in South Australia by driving operational excellence, innovation, and strategic leadership across statewide dental programs.

About the role:

Reporting to the Group Executive Director, SCSS, the ED, SA Dental will provide strategic and operational leadership for SA Dental. The role encompasses oversight of major programs such as:

- School Dental Service: Delivering dental care for children across South Australia.

- Community Dental Service: Providing accessible dental services to eligible adults.

- Adelaide Dental Hospital: Offering emergency, general, and specialist public dental services alongside community-based health promotion initiatives.

The ED, SA Dental will lead a multidisciplinary team of clinical and professional staff while fostering collaboration with senior officers across SA Health, government agencies, universities, and key community stakeholders.

The role will be pivotal in:

- Optimising service delivery through innovative approaches aligned with new models of care.

- Managing complex stakeholder relationships while ensuring transparency and accountability in decision-making processes.

- Driving continuous improvement in contemporary dental practices across diverse communities.

Key responsibilities:

- Strategic leadership: Shape the strategic direction of SA Dental in alignment with SCSS’s Strategic Plan and the State Oral Health Plan.

- Service Delivery: Drive innovative service models that improve efficiency and patient outcomes.

- Operational excellence: Ensure high-quality delivery of public dental services through continuous improvement initiatives and evidence-based practices.

- Workforce development: Build a skilled and sustainable workforce by promoting professional development, succession planning, and recruitment strategies.

- Financial management: Oversee resource allocation and budget control processes to ensure financial sustainability while meeting performance targets.

- Quality & safety: Enable the implementation of robust governance frameworks to ensure compliance with legislative requirements, accreditation standards, and best practice models of care.

- Stakeholder engagement: Foster strong relationships with government agencies, professional associations, educational institutions, and community groups to advance oral health outcomes statewide.

Requirements:

- A tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline (postgraduate qualifications or dental qualifications are desirable).

- Proven experience in leading large-scale health or clinical services at a senior level.

- Demonstrated ability to manage human, financial, and material resources effectively within a complex organisational environment.

- Strong analytical skills with experience in policy development, strategic planning, program evaluation, and continuous improvement activities.

- Exceptional communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels of government and private industry.

- Knowledge of the Australian health system and emerging trends in oral health services nationally and internationally.

Special conditions:

- Appointment is subject to satisfactory criminal history screening checks (e.g., National Police Certificate or Working With Children Check).

- Immunisation requirements must be met as outlined by SA Health policies.

- Flexible working arrangements may be required along with participation in Counter Disaster activities if necessary.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are encouraged to apply.
To apply please click apply or call Sangeetha Oommen on 61 8 8216 3504 for a confidential discussion.

About the job

Contract Type: Permanent

Specialism: Government

Focus: Senior Executive

Industry: Public Sector and Government

Workplace Type: On-site

Experience Level: Executive

Salary: Negotiable

Location: Adelaide CBD

FULL_TIME

Job Reference: FK7VQ1-46AB3FB5

Date posted: 13 October 2025

Consultant: Sangeetha Oommen

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