Driving safe, responsive mental health care across our communities.
Employment Type: Permanent Full Time
Position Classification: Health Manager Level 2
Remuneration: $114,251 - $134,809 per annum + super
Location: Armidale and Tamworth
Hours Per Week: 38
Requisition ID: REQ667905
Applications Close: Thursday, 11th June 2026
Lead Acute Mental Health Care Across New England Northwest
New England Northwest Mental Health Service (NENW MHS) is seeking a dynamic and compassionate Community Manager to lead the Acute Care Team (ACT) across Armidale and Tamworth. This is an exciting leadership opportunity to operationally manage a team of dedicated mental health clinicians delivering intake and acute community-based mental health care across the New England Northwest catchment. Services are delivered through a combination of face-to-face and telehealth models, ensuring equitable access to care across rural and regional communities.
You will be part of the New England Northwest Mental Health Service, supporting communities across a diverse rural and regional catchment. The Acute Care Team provides mental health intake and triage, acute assessment and intervention, crisis response, short-term treatment, and collaborative care planning with inpatient and community services. Based across Armidale and Tamworth, the team works across both major hub sites and smaller rural locations throughout the region. We are a values-driven service committed to compassionate, person-centred care. Our culture prioritises strong communication, collaboration, clinical excellence and evidence-based practice, while supporting staff wellbeing, resilience and continuous learning. We recognise the unique challenges of rural mental health care and foster a supportive, adaptable and connected team environment.
As Community Manager – Acute Care Team, you will provide operational leadership and clinical governance oversight to ensure safe, effective and high-quality acute mental health care.
In this leadership role, you will:
Guide day-to-day clinical coordination and practice
Act as an escalation point for operational and clinical matters
Maintain strong connections with inpatient units to ensure seamless transitions of care
Ensure services meet professional, legal and ethical standards while championing evidence-based practice
Monitor clinician workloads, performance and service delivery
Provide supervision, mentoring and support to clinicians
Contribute to operational planning and achievement of KPIs
Manage resources and budget responsibilities
Lead workforce functions including recruitment, development and performance management
You will play a pivotal role in strengthening partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to deliver integrated, responsive services across the region. Travel across the catchment area is required to support clinicians in rural and remote locations.
We are seeking a compassionate, organised and resilient leader who thrives in a fast-paced and high-pressure environment.
Proven leadership and operational management experience
Ability to adapt to changing priorities and service demands
Strong organisational and decision-making skills
Commitment to staff wellbeing and team resilience
Experience building effective partnerships across agencies and sectors
Willingness to travel across rural and remote areas
You will champion a learning-focused culture, supporting continuous professional growth while maintaining high standards of care for service users.
Support and Professional Development
The successful applicant will receive:
Ongoing support from their Line Manager and Professional Leads
Structured clinical supervision
Access to regular internal in-service programs
Professional development and continuing professional development (CPD) support
Opportunities to contribute to service development and innovation
New England Northwest Mental Health Service is committed to fostering leadership growth and investing in workforce capability to meet the evolving needs of our communities.
What we can offer you
At Hunter New England Health, enjoy a career where you're challenged by interesting work and surrounded by spectacular locations. You'll contribute to the team enriching health in millions of ways every day. On top of this we also offer:
Sustainable Healthcare: Together towards zero
Monthly Allocated Days Off (for full-time employees)
4 weeks annual leave (pro-rata for part time employees)
Paid parental leave (for eligible employees) - giving you the opportunity for true Worklife balance
Salary packaging options - up to $11,600 plus novated leasing
Fitness Passport for health and well-being - discounted gym options for you and your family
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for staff and family members
Additional Information
An eligibility list will be created for future permanent full or part time and temporary full or part time vacancies.
To be eligible for permanent employment in this position you must be an Australian Citizen, or a permanent resident of Australia, or a New Zealand citizen with a current New Zealand Passport. Employment of a temporary visa holder may only occur if no suitable local candidate is identified for the position; in this instance, you may only be offered employment in line with the conditions and expiry date of your visa.
We are unable to accommodate visa sponsorship for applicants requiring a visa for this position.
Need more information?
about applying for this position
For role related queries or questions contact Gina Blyton on
[email protected]
Information for Applicants:
Applicants will be assessed against the essential requirements and selection criteria contained within the position description (link below). For assistance addressing selection criteria visit: https://bit.ly/3vL5fq2
Stepping Up Website is a resource designed to help indigenous job applicants apply for positions in NSW Health. For more information, please visit: https://bit.ly/HNEHealthSteppingUp
This is a Category A position. Recommended applicants will be reviewed for compliance with NSW Health policy directive PD2024_015: Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination against Specified Infectious Diseases for Category A positions prior to offer. All new employees must agree to comply with the requirements outlined in the policy.
At Hunter New England Local Health District, we are an inclusive employer dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace. Our commitment to a workforce that reflects the community we care for is essential for delivering the highest quality healthcare to our community. We encourage people with diverse lived experiences to apply. If you require any accommodations or adjustments to the recruitment process please let us know when you apply or at any stage of the process. We will work with you to meet your needs and create the best possible experience. Please contact [email protected] for confidential support.
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