Manager, Lived Experience and Engagement

About us

The Leukaemia Foundation is on an exciting transformation journey to deliver greater impact to our key stakeholders and the Australian community. Join a national organisation standing with Australia to help cure and conquer every blood cancer – with care. Together we’re attacking every blood cancer, from every direction, in every way we can. Now more than ever, the path to conquering blood cancer requires us to work together and ensure 100% access to the right information, the best treatments, the latest trials, tests and diagnostic tools; and the best supportive care to help people not just to survive - but also to live well.

Opportunity

The Leukaemia Foundation is seeking an experienced Manager, Lived Experience and Engagement to lead the strategic design, delivery and continuous improvement of our national Lived Experience Engagement Program (LEEP). This role ensures the voices and experiences of people living with blood cancer, carers and loved ones are meaningfully embedded across our organisational decision-making.

We're open to this role being based at any of our offices nationwide.

As the organisational lead for lived experience and engagement, you will establish the engagement and capability that positions lived experience as a core asset of the Foundation.

Please note: this is a genuine leadership opportunity and not a step up or developmental role. We are looking for someone who already has proven skills and experience in this space, and who can come in and own, design and deliver the program with minimal supervision from day one.

You will work closely with internal teams and external stakeholders to elevate lived experience perspectives, strengthen accountability, and influence outcomes that improve support and information for people affected by blood cancer, reporting to the Head of Research, Clinical Information and Patient Education.

This role would suit someone who has:

• Led a lived experience, consumer engagement or stakeholder engagement program end-to-end, from strategy through to day-to-day delivery, without needing to be shown how
• Built and sustained a network of people with lived experience, carers, health professionals and ambassadors, and knows what it takes to keep that group engaged and supported
• Translated organisational strategy into practical initiatives, and can do the same for LEEP from day one
• Influenced senior stakeholders and embedded new ways of working across teams that don't report to them
• Represented an organisation externally – in sector forums, with health services, or with community partners – as a credible, senior voice
• A track record of working autonomously, prioritising competing demands, and taking ownership of a program rather than waiting for direction

A few extra things to know

• This role sits within the Research, Clinical Information and Education, Health Services division
• Lived experience of blood cancer, whether personal, as a carer, or through a family member will bring valuable insight to this role. 
• Ability to travel domestically if required
• Ability to work outside of normal business hours if required

What you'll be doing

• Lead the implementation, evaluation and continuous improvement of the Lived Experience Engagement Program (LEEP)
• Build and lead a diverse, skilled network of people with lived experience of blood cancer, carers, loved ones, health professionals and ambassadors
• Support people with lived experience to engage in short- and long-term initiatives
• Embed lived experience principles into planning and decision-making by influencing and upskilling internal stakeholders
• Build high-value relationships with external stakeholders, representing the Foundation in lived experience and consumer engagement forums
• Foster a collaborative, stakeholder-centric culture across health services, research, advocacy, fundraising and communications
• Contribute to organisational learning and capability development

Essential requirements

• Relevant undergraduate qualification or equivalent experience in consumer/stakeholder engagement, advocacy or public health
• Demonstrated success delivering strategic national programs, including implementation, evaluation and continuous improvement
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to support, mentor and empower others
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

It's a bonus if you have:

• Experience in the health, not-for-profit or advocacy sectors
• Knowledge of best practice approaches in consumer and stakeholder engagement
• Experience representing an organisation at a state or national level in sector forums or working groups

What we offer

• Generous salary packaging up to $15,900 & meal and entertainment card $2,650
• Ongoing training and development
• Social and well-being activities
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Assistance Program

How to apply

Submit a one-page cover letter addressing the essential criteria and your CV (PDF) via Seek or the Leukaemia Foundation website.

For the position description, email recruitment@leukaemia.org.au.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: COB 31 August 2026.

Don't delay - apply today! We may shortlist and appoint prior to the closing date. Successful applicants will undergo reference, police, and VEVO checks.

Leukaemia Foundation is committed to building an inclusive and diverse workforce that continues to reflect the community we support. We strongly encourage people from all cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds to apply, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people