director of first nations engagement & care programs

About the Role:

Randstad is proud to partner with Mercy Health to recruit a Director – First Nations Engagement & Care Programs in and around Wurundjeri and Wadawurrung Country.

This role is not just about managing programs, it is about leading cultural change, elevating community voices and shaping a healthcare system where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples thrive.

This pivotal, senior executive leadership opportunity, reporting to the CEO, is designed to champion self-determination, cultural safety and health equity across health services. You will bring deep cultural wisdom, strategic foresight and operational leadership to embed First Nations perspectives into the heart of governance and operational systems and models.

This position is designated for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples under s.12 Special Measures of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic). Only Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples are eligible to apply.

We welcome applications from senior First Nations leaders across all sectors. You do not need a background in healthcare. What matters most is your executive capability, deep cultural wisdom, strategic foresight, focus and passion for leading transformative, community centered programs.

About Mercy Health:

Mercy Health is situated on the Traditional Owner lands of the Wurundjeri and Wadawurrung people where numerous Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples work, live and need healthcare. Mercy Health’s vision is that this position is deeply connected to local communities and that joint internal and external collaboration will drive the best outcomes for First Nations peoples.

Mercy Health is a major provider of health, maternity, aged and home care services across Australia, driven by a deep commitment to equity and social justice. Recognised as an Employer of Choice, Mercy Health knows that diversity of experience, mindset and background inspires our best ideas, helps us challenge the status quo and identify better ways of working.

First Nations Commitment in Action:

Mercy Health firmly believes that First Nations knowledge, cultural wisdom and self-determination are essential to healthcare excellence. This commitment is backed with genuine action, including:

• The development of Nangnak Baban Murrup, a culturally tailored maternity service, which now also offers home birth options so First Nations babies can be birthed on Country.
• Delivering after hours cultural support for First Nations patients and families presenting to the Werribee Mercy Hospital Emergency Department.
• Partnering in ‘Replanting the Birthing Trees’ since 2024, a community led research initiative shaping best practice First Nations maternity care.
• Embedding ongoing cultural journey training.

At Mercy Health, you will help lead an organisation that actively listens, evolves and aims to centre First Nations perspectives in everything they do.

Key Responsibilities

• Cultural & Strategic Leadership: Serve as the senior cultural authority and strategic advisor to executive leadership and the Board. Drive systemic policy transformation to embed self-determination across the strategic agenda. You will also have one direct report who is the Manager of Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officers across Mercy.
• Program & Operational Excellence: Lead the operational, strategic and financial performance of First Nations Programs in partnership with site Executive Directors.
• Reconciliation & Governance: Co-chair the Aboriginal Reference Committee to ensure community voices direct decision making. Drive accountability for the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), Aboriginal Employment Plan and Cultural Safety Plan.
• Community Amplification: Build, sustain and honour respectful, reciprocal relationships with Traditional Owner groups, Land Councils, ACCOs and community stakeholders.
• Oversee culturally responsive operating plans ensuring evidence based framework improvements.

Key Requirements & Qualifications

• You identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person and are recognised and accepted as such by your community.
• Strong knowledge, experience and understanding of Aboriginal peoples, communities and cultures.
• Demonstrated track record driving structural, cultural and operational change within complex environments (e.g., healthcare, public sector, education, human services, not for profit or corporate environments).
• A broad understanding of public sector, health or community service operations, including service delivery frameworks, quality assurance and public funding models.
• Proven capability managing operational budgets, resource allocation and continuous quality improvement frameworks.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in public administration, organisational management, or equivalent executive industry experience within a service oriented environment are highly desirable. Standard background and compliance checks apply.

Why Join Mercy Health?

• Lead direct structural change that delivers tangible impact, elevates First Nations community voices and shapes holistic wellbeing across Victoria.
• Bring your transferrable executive skills from government, not for profit or corporate sectors into an inclusive, purpose driven organisation.
• Enjoy a modern hybrid working model balancing corporate office space, community engagement and remote work flexibility.
• Work with an executive First Nations mentor to support, coach and guide you.

How to Apply

Please apply directly via the link with your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your suitability, or reach out to Elliot Portet-Temm at elliot.temm@randstad.com.au.