Director – Mission and Engagement, Catholic Health Australia

Catholic Health Australia is Australia’s largest non-government, not-for-profit group of health, community, and aged care providers. Members operate 80 hospitals across Australia, providing around 30 per cent of private hospital care and 5 per cent of public hospital care, in addition to extensive community and residential aged care. CHA members provide approximately 12 per cent of all aged care facilities across Australia and around 20 per cent of home care services. Twenty-five per cent of our members provide services in regional, rural and remote parts of the country.

We’re seeking a Director – Mission and Engagement to lead our critical mission-focused work while strengthening the relationships that make CHA an influential, trusted voice in the Australian health and aged care sector.

Reporting to the CEO, you will build and maintain deep relationships with our members, government and parliamentarians, the Catholic Church, and other peak bodies, ensuring our Catholic mission and identity remain at the heart of all our work.

This is a rare opportunity for a well-respected leader to bring their judgement, discretion and nous to a mission-driven organisation with genuine influence over health and aged care policy in Australia.

What you’ll do

• Work with CHA’s policy, advocacy and communications teams to strengthen and manage CHA’s relationships with members, government officials and parliamentarians, the Catholic Church (including the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference and clergy) and other peak bodies.
• Lead CHA’s ongoing ethics and social justice dialogue with members and the wider community, shaping a holistic and unified Catholic voice on areas of shared interest.
• Contribute to policy and advocacy work with mission-aligned thinking, including representing CHA from time to time in political, parliamentary and media engagement.
• Convene and shape mission and identity focused collaborative forums, working groups and communities of practice across CHA’s member network and broader stakeholders.
• Partner with and support the CHA Executive and Board, including the Mission and Identity Committee, to deliver CHA’s strategic plan.
• Contribute to CHA’s broader work as part of a small, high-performing executive team, including its National Conference and other events.

What you’ll bring

• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills, with credibility across government, peak bodies, media and the Catholic Church in Australia.
• A deep understanding of the Catholic Church, Catholic social teaching, and the issues relevant to Catholic Health Australia’s members.
• Strong political nous and a demonstrated understanding of government processes and public policy development.
• Experience in mission-focused roles in complex, multi-stakeholder environments, undertaking policy, formation, corporate affairs, government relations or stakeholder engagement work.
• A demonstrated track record of building trust and influence across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with sound media judgement.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications.

How we will support you:

• You’ll work alongside experts in health and aged care policy and advocacy, communications and media as part of a high-functioning, professional, and integrated team.
• Access to the diverse, talented professionals across CHA’s Catholic member organisations and broader stakeholders.
• Flexibility in how and where you deliver your work.

All applications should contain of a cover letter setting out why you would be the best person for this role, alongside your current CV.

All applications should be sent to secretariat@cha.org.au by COB Wednesday 30 September 2026.