Executive Director, Legal Services and Director of Proceedings

• Executive leadership role protecting the quality and safety of health services in NSW 
• Provide trusted legal leadership while exercising independent statutory decision-making
• PSSE Band 2
• Sydney CBD based 

The organisation 

The Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) is an independent statutory body established under the Health Care Complaints Act 1993. The HCCC is responsible for protecting the health and safety of the NSW community through the independent, accessible and effective management of health care complaints and regulatory action. Its jurisdiction extends across public and private health organisations, registered health practitioners and non-registered health practitioners throughout NSW. 

The opportunity 

The Executive Director, Legal Services and Director of Proceedings is a senior leadership role within the HCCC, combining executive responsibility for the Commission’s Legal Services Division with the independent statutory functions of the Director of Proceedings. Reporting to the Commissioner and contributing as a member of the Commission Executive, you will set the strategic direction and priorities for legal services and ensure the delivery of high-quality, timely and effective legal and prosecution services.  

As Director of Proceedings, you will independently determine whether complaints referred following investigation should be prosecuted and oversee the conduct of proceedings. As Executive Director, you will provide authoritative legal advice to the Commissioner, lead and develop a team of approximately 25 people and build leadership capability, accountability and performance across the function.  

Collaboration will be central to your success. You will work closely across the Commission to strengthen the interface between assessments, investigations and legal proceedings, while building trusted relationships with professional councils, co-regulators and other stakeholders across the health system. You will also fulfil the role of Chief Audit Executive, supporting effective governance, risk management and assurance across the Commission.  

For further information please view the Role Description

About you 

You are an accomplished legal executive with extensive experience in legal proceedings, ideally within a prosecution, regulatory or comparable environment, together with experience leading a corporate legal function. You bring strong legal judgement and the maturity and integrity to navigate the distinct responsibilities of being both a trusted legal adviser to the Commissioner and an independent statutory decision-maker. 

You are a capable and contemporary people leader who sets clear expectations, builds leadership capability and creates an environment of accountability, development and high performance. Collaborative and influential, you build productive relationships across organisational boundaries and can work effectively with senior stakeholders, co-regulators and professional bodies while maintaining independence of judgement. 

You must be a lawyer eligible for an unrestricted practising certificate in NSW. 

How to apply  

For a confidential discussion and/or a copy of the executive brief, please contact Felicity Stalley or Jess Lewy at HCCClegal@orchardtalent.com.au. To apply, please submit a current CV and a brief cover letter via HCCClegal@orchardtalent.com.au.  

Applications close 10:00am Monday 21 September 2026.