Consumer and Community Engagement Lead

About the role

In this key role, the Consumer & Community Engagement Lead will strengthen and expand HTSA’s engagement across the state’s health and medical research ecosystem. You’ll work closely with consumer and community representatives, health services, clinicians and researchers to foster meaningful, collaborative partnerships.

You will lead the development and delivery of HTSA’s Engagement and Communications Plan, ensuring stakeholders are informed, connected and actively engaged in our work. A major part of the role includes driving HTSA’s Consumer and Community Involvement in Research Strategy (CCIR), advancing priority initiatives that build capability and increase consumer and community involvement in research.

This position is offered as full-time, however part-time (0.8FTE) will be considered. Flexible working arrangements and varied work hours are available.

Key focus areas for this position will include:

Consumer & Community Engagement (CCI)

• Leading the development and implementation of HTSA’s CCI Strategy
• Supporting the CCI Action Group and strengthening collaboration with consumer/community representatives
• Building CCI capability across SA’s research sector through guidance and collaboration
• Providing advice to research teams on CCI-related grant requirements
• Maintaining key resources such as the Community Interest Register and CCI Toolkit
• Contributing to national health research translation advocacy and initiatives through AHRA

Engagement & Communications

• Leading delivery of the HTSA Engagement and Communications Plan
• Build relationships with health services, researchers, clinicians, consumers and community partners
• Strengthening engagement across the research–health service interface
• Provide strategic advice on engagement risks, opportunities and emerging needs
• Represent HTSA at meetings, events and panels
• Working with partner organisations to support coordinated messaging and maximise HTSA’s impact
• Oversee communication channels and brand consistency in collaboration with the Business Operations Manager

About You

• Tertiary qualifications in health, research, community engagement, communications or a related field
• Project/program management qualifications or relevant experience
• Experience in engagement, CCI, health communications and/or health service partnership roles
• Experience working in or with health and medical research environments
• Strong understanding of consumer and community involvement principles
• Excellent communications skills with ability to simplify complex information
• Experience delivering training or capability-building activities
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work collaboratively within a small, dynamic team
• Skilled in using digital communication platforms and tools

Special Requirements

• Some out of hours work may be required

Why join us?

• Contribute to meaningful, sector-wide impact on health outcomes
• Located within a globally recognised research institute
• Flexible and collaborative team culture
• Access up to $15,900 salary packaging as a SAHMRI employee
• Opportunities to lead engagement at a state and national level

To be considered for this position, applicants must hold relevant working rights within Australia at the time of application. 

For a copy of the position description, please click here.

For more information, please contact Tom Symonds, Executive Director at  Tom.Symonds@healthtranslationsa.org.au

Applications close: 29 March 2026

Please note, applications may close early if a suitable candidate is identified.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply