Senior Service Planning

• Location: Cairns, Townsville, or Mackay.
• Position: Full Time, fixed term from 10 November 2025 to 2 October 2026.
• Classification: Level 7.
• Benefits:Salary Packaging options up to $15,900 and
  flexible working arrangements.
• The opportunity to live and work in a region
  known for its tropical climate, stunning natural landscapes, and relaxed lifestyle.

Are you passionate about shaping mental health and AOD services that truly make a difference?

About the role

We're seeking an experienced and driven Senior Service Planning and Design Officer to join our Mental Health and AOD (MHAOD) team on a fixed term contract to cover parental leave. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to meaningful work in a collaborative, purpose-driven environment.

In this role, you'll lead the planning, co-design, and procurement of services across mental health, suicide prevention, and alcohol and other drugs portfolios. You'll apply evidence-based approaches to shape services that meet community needs and align with our strategic goals. Working collaboratively across teams and with external stakeholders, you'll help ensure services are well-designed, effective, and responsive.

What you'll do:

• Lead and deliver planning and design projects across MHAOD portfolios using our Commissioning Framework, including needs assessment, model development, funding submissions, and procurement.
• Apply human-centred design, program logic, and project management methodologies to ensure services are fit-for-purpose and responsive to community needs.
• Collaborate with internal teams (e.g. Engagement, Business Services, Health System Integration) to inform service design, shape the market, and evaluate outcomes.
• Engage with a wide range of stakeholders including people with lived experience, service providers, clinicians, HHSs, and government partners to inform service planning.
• Support the development and continuous improvement of planning tools, templates, and resources.
• Contribute to performance monitoring, reporting, and quality improvement activities across the commissioning lifecycle.
• Provide expert advice on planning and design approaches, ensuring alignment with local needs, national/state priorities, and organisational objectives.
• Undertake administrative tasks related to planning and design, including report writing, meeting coordination, and documentation.

If you are looking for the opportunity to be part of a passionate and driven team and contribute to achieving our vision of 'A healthy future for all northern Queenslanders,' we'd love to hear from you.

Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) aims to be an employer of choice for Indigenous Australians, and we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply for this role.

Key selection criteria

• Tertiary qualification in a relevant field and at least two years' experience in the planning and design of health programs or similar.
• Strong understanding of health commissioning processes, health service design, and delivery in a mental health and/or social and emotional wellbeing service environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and coordinate complex projects to deliver the development and implementation of programs or services.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritise and meet deadlines in a high-demand work environment using project management techniques.
• Highly developed interpersonal, communication, influencing, partnering, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills, with both internal and external stakeholders, particularly in relation to community and stakeholder engagement within the health sector.
• Demonstrated skills in dealing with confidential and sensitive information in a professional manner.
• Sound knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and the ability to become proficient in other software programs as required.

Why North Queensland?

Whether you're based in Cairns, Townsville, or Mackay, you'll enjoy the benefits of a relaxed tropical lifestyle, culturally rich communities, and access to some of Australia's most iconic natural environments—from the Great Barrier Reef to ancient rainforests and the outback. It's the perfect setting to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a work-life balance that's hard to match.

*About us*

Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) works together with our partners to connect existing local services to simplify the healthcare system, fund primary care and mental health services based on the needs of local communities, and support primary care and mental health providers to build their skills and deliver the highest quality patient care.

For more information, visit 

How to apply

Submit your:

• cover letter addressing the key selection criteria (maximum three pages)
• your resume.

To view the full position description or for more information about the role, please click the 'Apply' button or email 

Applications close Tuesday 21 October 2025 at 11:59pm.