- Lead the direction, delivery and performance of health services across the Pilbara, one of Western Australia’s most significant regional communities.
- Shape regional health strategy and influence the broader direction of WA Country Health Service as a key member of its senior leadership team.
- Drive quality, performance and service improvement across a diverse health network, strengthening leadership capability and ensuring resources deliver maximum impact for Pilbara communities.
- Combine a substantial executive leadership opportunity with the distinctive lifestyle of the Pilbara, a vast region stretching from the Indian Ocean across Western Australia’s north-west.
THE OPPORTUNITY
WA Country Health Service (WACHS) delivers public health services across regional and remote Western Australia, supporting communities of more than half a million people across one of the largest health jurisdictions globally. WACHS spans approximately 2.5 million square kilometres through a broad network of hospitals, health campuses and community-based services. Its mission is to deliver and advance high-quality care for country Western Australian communities, with strategic priorities spanning access and equity, sustainable service delivery, workforce, partnerships, innovation and healthy communities. Its seven regions include the Midwest, alongside Kimberley, Pilbara, Goldfields, Wheatbelt, Great Southern and South West.
Within this system, the Pilbara is Western Australia’s second most northern region, extending from the Indian Ocean to the Northern Territory border and covering approximately 507,896 square kilometres. The region also holds considerable economic importance to Western Australia, including two of the State’s largest export revenue earners, iron ore and liquefied natural gas.
The Pilbara Directorate is responsible and accountable for delivering safe, high-quality, efficient and economical health services to Pilbara communities. Within the complexity of delivering health services across this extensive regional environment, the Executive Director Pilbara provides senior leadership across the regional network, ensuring publicly funded services respond to identified population needs while operating within allocated resources and relevant policy, legislative and regulatory requirements.
THE ROLE
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Executive Director is accountable for the effective management of the regional service network and plays an important role in shaping organisational priorities, strengthening regional leadership capability and improving the quality, cost and effectiveness of healthcare delivery.
The Executive Director Pilbara leads a broad regional portfolio spanning operations, medical services, nursing and midwifery, mental health, population health, Aboriginal health, aged care, strategy and change, business services, capital projects, infrastructure and support services, human resources, and work health and safety. The position has direct leadership responsibility across these functions and overall accountability for the regional service network and associated resources.
Key responsibilities include:
- Lead and coordinate regional health services, ensuring publicly funded services are developed and delivered in response to the identified needs of the Pilbara population.
- Set strategic and operational direction, leading the development and implementation of strategic and business plans for regional services while contributing to WACHS-wide goals, policies and strategies.
- Maintain strong financial and operational stewardship, ensuring appropriate management and monitoring of financial, workforce, physical and other resources across the regional network.
- Drive quality, risk and service improvement, maintaining comprehensive risk management and processes that improve the quality, cost and effectiveness of health service delivery.
- Strengthen regional leadership and performance, developing leadership capability and supporting the effective management and performance of regional staff.
- Build strong community and stakeholder relationships, maintaining positive community and public relations and representing WACHS as a senior regional leader and ambassador.
- Contribute beyond the regional portfolio, representing WACHS outside the Pilbara as required and taking responsibility for an additional portfolio as part of the broader organisational management team.
THE CANDIDATE
The successful candidate will be an accomplished senior leader with the capability to provide clear strategic direction while maintaining a strong focus on operational delivery, accountability and results. They will demonstrate high-level judgement and initiative, together with the ability to build organisational capability, marshal professional expertise, lead change, navigate uncertainty and deliver intended outcomes.
They will understand the relationship between high-quality service delivery and disciplined stewardship of financial, physical, technological and information resources. The breadth of this position requires a leader capable of bringing together different professional and operational perspectives while maintaining clear direction and accountability across the regional service network.
The successful candidate will build productive internal and external relationships, facilitate cooperation and partnerships, and develop people across the organisation. They will communicate clearly, listen and adapt to different audiences, negotiate persuasively and engage effectively with stakeholders both within and outside WACHS. Professionalism, integrity, sound judgement, resilience, personal courage and a demonstrated commitment to safe, high-quality service delivery will be important attributes.
Current knowledge of relevant legislative and regulatory requirements is essential, while tertiary qualifications in health and/or hospital management are highly desirable.
For an experienced health executive, this is an opportunity to take substantial responsibility for the performance and direction of a regional health service, while contributing to the wider leadership of country healthcare across Western Australia.
For a confidential discussion, please get in touch with:
Pete Carter
HG Principal Consultant
M. +61 (0)448 729 077 | E. pcarter@hardygroupintl.com
HOW TO APPLY
The closing date for applications is 4pm (AWST) Friday, 4 December 2026
The reference number to include in your application is H26_5602
Note: Please use the online WA Government platform to submit your application (Apply Now button below). It will not be accepted via email.
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