Join our Team

• Lead and manage the establishment and ongoing operation of the new services in Cairns
• Permanent, Full-time
• Internal Opportunity
• Services: Cairns Medicare Mental Health Centre & Forensic Transitional Housing Program

Mind strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, people with a lived experience of mental ill health and recovery, and applicants from all cultures, genders, sexualities, bodies, abilities, spiritualities, ages and backgrounds.

About the role

This is an internal opportunity for a motivated and experienced Service Manager to lead the establishment and ongoing operations of the new services in Cairns: the Medicare Mental Health Centre and Forensic Transitional Housing Program.

In this permanent, full-time role, you will oversee practice and service culture, championing lived/living experience while ensuring fidelity to the service model. You will also be responsible for managing the service operating budget, achieving performance targets, and overseeing operations in line with approved systems, policies, and procedures in this newly established service.

About the services

The Cairns Medicare Mental Health Centre offers a welcoming, low-stigma entry point for individuals experiencing distress or crisis, providing immediate clinical and non-clinical support and connecting them to ongoing services.

The Forensic Transitional Housing Program supports adults subject to forensic orders to transition from an acute mental health setting to living in the community and to prevent further hospital admissions.

Clients receive 24-hour support in a homelike environment, focusing on recovery goals, building social connections, and increasing capacity for independent, safe living. The service provides personalized support, workshops, and group activities within a recovery-focused and trauma-informed framework aligned with Mind’s Model of Recovery-Oriented Practice.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and model effective practice in working directly with clients, providing support to families and carers, planning and delivering group work, and collaboration with local service providers.
• Support the Team Leaders / Clinical Lead to coach staff to problem solve and develop creative solutions while ensuring lived/living experience perspectives are central to these processes.
• Ensure full compliance with organisational policies, procedures, and consortium partner requirements in all aspects of service operations.
• Manage service budgets, expenditure, and performance targets while overseeing daily program operations to ensure financial sustainability and efficiency.
• Build and lead a high-performing team by providing clear direction, setting performance expectations, and fostering a positive team culture.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and maintain relationships with external stakeholders, including communities, service providers, partners, and government agencies.

What you’ll bring

• Tertiary qualifications in Mental Health, Peer Work, Psychology, Social Work, Occupational Therapy or other health-related field.
• Proven experience managing multiple services across various funding bodies, with expertise in implementing and transitioning new and existing services.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to coach, mentor, and develop a team to achieve high-quality service outcomes.

Interested?

Please find below the position description for your review.

 PD Service Manager CMMHC & THP (Cairns) 20250327.pdf

Online applications must be submitted by 11pm Saturday 5 April 2025. Please contact the person below if you require more information.

Tracey Hocking, General Manager, Complex Care National Services

Tracey.Hocking@mindaustralia.org.au

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to provide a positive, barrier-free recruitment process. If you require any support or reasonable adjustments to complete your application, please contact us at hr@mindaustralia.org.au

The successful applicant is required to complete comprehensive reference and background checking prior to employment, including a Working with Children Check, and NDIS Workers Screening Check.