Executive Director, Prevention and Health Promotion

About the role:

The Executive Director, Prevention and Health Promotion leads the department statewide public health prevention and health promotion programs and system stewardship functions. The role provides executive leadership for the design, delivery, performance, governance, and funding of prevention activities that improve population health outcomes and reduce long term burden on the health system.

Key areas of accountability include oversight of community health services, VicHealth, the Achievement Program, system-wide prevention partnerships, funded agencies, and the delivery of Victoria's Population Health and Wellbeing Plan. The role provides strategic leadership to strengthen prevention system capacity, policy alignment, commissioning arrangements, and the integration of evidence-based programs targeting chronic disease prevention, health equity, and social determinants of health.

The Executive Director works closely with internal and external partners across government, service providers, academic institutions, and community sectors. The role actively represents the department in intergovernmental forums, national prevention initiatives, and cross jurisdictional engagement, while shaping Victoria's long term public health prevention agenda. As a key member of the division's executive team, the role provides expert policy, financial and operational leadership to ensure effective and sustainable delivery of prevention priorities for the Victorian community.

About us:

At the Victorian Department of Health we want a future where Victorians are the healthiest people in the world. A Victoria where our children and people thrive, our workplaces are productive and safe, and our communities are more connected.

We see it as our job to support Victorians to stay healthy and safe. And to deliver a world-class healthcare system that ensures every single Victorian can access safe, quality care that leads to better health outcomes for all.

About you:

Can you demonstrate the following?

• Lead the strategic integration, design and program delivery of state-wide health promotion and prevention policy and programs, including community health services, VicHealth, the Achievement Program, funded prevention agencies, and Victoria's Population Health and Wellbeing Plan. Provide integrated commissioning, stewardship, and performance oversight in partnership with departmental and external stakeholders to strengthen system accountability and improve population health outcomes.
• Drive focus on the establishment and oversight of the branch and cultivate a culture of innovation, learning and continuous improvement to ensure the successful implementation and delivery of divisional and departmental objectives.
• Apply extensive strategic leadership capability, operational skills, management experience, and specialist expertise to deliver statewide prevention and health promotion programs and oversee complex funded service arrangements.
• Contribute to shaping the organisation's strategic vision as a member of the executive and take full responsibility for developing the strategic direction for the area of responsibility, integrating a range of activities, programs and functions to support organisational goals and priorities.
• Ensure the achievement of the wider government agenda and develop plans to mitigate any emerging issues including state, national or international environments. Coordinate any responses to major departmental impacts as well as managing change within teams.

Qualifications / Specialist Expertise

Qualifications

• A tertiary qualification is highly desired and a post tertiary qualification in a relevant field (health, public health, management or public administration or a related discipline) would be advantageous.

Specialist Expertise

• Senior experience in health at state or national level.
• Knowledge and understanding of current key public health issues, public health response, delivery and management of public health programs.
• Demonstrated experience and ability to partner with public health professionals and technical experts to develop trusted and timely advice within a public sector context.

What we offer:

• The opportunity to perform meaningful work, making direct contributions toward enabling Victorians to be the healthiest people in the world.
• A wide range of growth and development opportunities within the department and wider Victorian Public Service & Sector.
• A strong commitment to work-life balance, including a diverse array of flexible working arrangements.

How to apply:

Applications should include a resume and a cover letter. Click the `Apply' button to view further information about the role including key contact details and the advertisement closing date.

We are committed to developing and supporting a workforce that is well equipped and highly motivated to provide responsive and quality services to all Victorians. We continue to build an inclusive workplace that embraces diversity of backgrounds and differences to realise the potential of our employees for innovation and delivering services aimed at enhancing the lives of all Victorians. All roles can be worked flexibly and we encourage applications from Aboriginal people, people with disability, LGBTIQ+ and people from culturally diverse backgrounds. Please contact us if you require any adjustments to participate in the recruitment process at For more information on our commitment to inclusion and diversity see inclusion and diversity at the Department of Health.

If you have any queries in relation to recruitment processes at Health, or experience any issues in applying, please feel free to email Please note that unsolicited applications will not be replied to. If you have questions regarding the role specifically, we would advise you to reach out to the contact listed on the advertisement directly.

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