Associate Director Strategy and Innovation

Employment Type: Permanent Full Time, 38 hours per week

Location: Eastern Campus, Liverpool Hospital

Position Classification: Health Manager Level 5

Remuneration: $173, $193,906.00 per annum

Requisition ID: REQ618503

Application Close Date: 23/11/2025

Interview Date Range: 08/12/2025

Contact Details: Sayali Pendharkar-Orpe |

This position is set to commence in the new year

About the Opportunity

Are you a strategic leader passionate about shaping the future of healthcare? South Western Sydney Local Health District is seeking an Associate Director, Strategy and Innovation to drive district-wide strategic planning, lead high-impact programs, and foster innovative models of care. In this pivotal role, you'll guide a talented team, collaborate with executive leaders, and build strong partnerships across the health sector. If you have a master's in a health-related field (or equivalent experience), proven leadership in complex organisations, and a drive to make a real difference, we want to hear from you.

What You'll Be Doing

The Associate Director, Strategy and Innovation is responsible for setting and guiding the strategic direction of the South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD). This includes identifying key priorities for the District and making sure they align with both the organisation's goals and the broader health system's plans.

This role leads a team that manages strategic planning and oversees high-impact programs and projects. The Associate Director ensures these initiatives are delivered in a consistent, coordinated way that supports the District's top priorities.

A key part of the role involves building strong relationships with both internal and external partners. The Associate Director works to identify new opportunities, secure funding, and support the development of innovative, sustainable models of care that meet local needs and align with state-wide health priorities.

Where You'll Be Working

South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD) serves one of Australia's most multicultural regions, providing high-quality, patient-centred care across various hospitals and health services. These include Bankstown-Lidcombe, Bowral & District, Camden, Campbelltown, Fairfield, and Liverpool Hospitals, each offering specialised care.

SWSLHD offers a supportive, innovative, and forward-thinking work environment, with numerous opportunities for professional development and career progression. The district's community health services provide comprehensive care, including prevention, early intervention, and ongoing support, while its mental health services offer both inpatient and community-based care.

Working at SWSLHD means being part of a dedicated team committed to improving health outcomes and making a positive impact on the community.

How to Apply

To be considered for this position, please ensure you address the below questions as thoroughly as possible. View our application guide for information on how to respond to criteria and improve your application.

• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant field (e.g. health services management, planning, public policy) and/or equivalent professional experience at a senior level.
• Why are you the right fit for the Associate Director, Strategy and Innovation role at SWSLHD? Please share one example that demonstrates your strategic leadership and alignment with our values.
• How have you fostered a culture of performance, collaboration, and innovation within a multidisciplinary team? Please provide examples of how your leadership supported workforce development and delivered on organisational objectives.
• How have you applied your knowledge of the NSW and/or Australian healthcare systems, including relevant health policy and planning frameworks, to drive strategic outcomes or influence decision-making?
• Share an example of how you led a major strategic planning or organisational reform initiative in a large, complex organisation? What was your approach and what outcomes did you achieve?
• Applicants must possess an Australian C-Class driver's license (including P1 or P2). Those who hold a C class license (P1 or P2 included) from a state other than NSW must obtain a NSW C class (P1 or P2 included) license within three months of appointment. Learner's licenses are not permitted.

Need more information?

1) Click here for the Position Description

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Additional Information

Salary Packaging

South Western Sydney Local Health District employees are able to enjoy the benefits of salary packing. Visit Smart Salary for more details.

Health & Fitness

South Western Sydney Local Health District employees receive discounted Gym Membership/Corporate Wellbeing Programs, including Fitness Passport.

Transforming Your Experience

Transforming Your Experience (TYE) is SWSLHDs key strategy to always positively transform your, our patients, our consumers, our staffs and our communities experiences across our organisation and services. Our vision is that our care is always safe, high quality and personalised and all our staff are supported and empowered to achieve their full potential. SWSLHD upholds the CORE Values – Collaboration, Openness, Respect and Empowerment.

To be eligible for permanent appointment to a position in NSW Health, you must have an Australian citizenship or permanent Australian residency.

At South Western Sydney Local Health District we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, where we don't just accept differences but we honour and support it. Committed to providing a working environment that thrives and values diversity, we encourage people of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander background, people with a disability and people from the LGBTQI+ community to apply.

SWSLHD is committed to driving a child safe culture that upholds children and young people's rights. We strive to ensure children and young people feel safe, supported and included in their care. Existing staff of SWSLHD and those seeking employment are required to take the safety, welfare and wellbeing of children and young people seriously while taking action to keep them safe from harm and abuse.

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