Manager, Lived Experience Sector Partnerships

Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time

Salary: $138,631 - $185,518

Grade: VPS 6

Occupation: Education and training

Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs

Reference: VG/1879757

The Collaborative Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing is a Victorian public entity led by a unique Co-CEO partnership and governed by an independent skills-based Board who report to the Minister for Mental Health. The Collaborative Centre is deeply committed to achieving its vision of better mental health and wellbeing for all Victorians through collaborating and learning together. In partnership with people with lived and living experiences, our core purpose is to translate evidence into innovation and effective practice and collaborate with the workforce and researchers towards our common goal of driving groundbreaking change to Victoria's Mental Health and Wellbeing system.

About the role:

As Manager, Lived and Living Experience Workforce, Sector Partnerships you will lead a small team to manage a large program of work that ensures lived and living experience workforces employed in mental health and alcohol and drug services have the structures and supports they need to thrive.

You will collaborate with consumers and their families, carers and supports, lived and living experience workforces, their colleagues and employing services to ensure Royal Commission recommendations and the collective priorities for lived and living experience workforces in the Mental Health and Wellbeing Workforce Strategy are addressed.

Collaboration with system steward organisations and sector partners to develop and implement lived and living experience leadership and workforce policies and strategies will be a key focus for this role. You will create structures and processes that support lived and living experience workforce initiatives to be developed in partnership with people with lived and living experience and other stakeholders. This exciting role is a critical part of the response to implementing recommendations from the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health and Wellbeing System, ensuring lived experience is embedded across the reformed system.

The Collaborative Centre is a growing organisation operating in a fast-paced, high-output environment where priorities can shift quickly. We are seeking a high-performing individual who can confidently navigate changing demands, reprioritise tasks with ease, and maintain clarity and focus under pressure. The ability to remain composed and solutions-focused in the face of competing priorities and deadlines is key to thriving in this role. Flexibility, initiative and a calm, collaborative approach will be highly valued.

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:

• Experienced with management of workforce programs (or related)?
• Experienced with leading the development of lived and living experience workforces?
• Driven to reform Victoria's mental health system to support better outcomes for consumers, families, carers and kin, and people with experience of substance use or addiction?
• Able to confidentially lead a team to manage a large program of initiatives?
• Skilled in co-design and co-production in a range of settings?

To view further information about the role including key contact details and the advertisement closing date, please click on the position description attached. Advert closes 1st Sept 2025.

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

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.

Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and other pre-employment checks. Information provided will be treated in the strictest confidence in line with our Privacy Policy.

Applications close Monday 1 September 2025 at 11.59pm

Posted

18 August 2025