Call for Expressions of Interest: Central and Eastern Sydney PHN Board Directors

Expression of Interest: Elected Board Directors – EIS Health Ltd

EIS Health Ltd, operating as the Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network (CESPHN), is seeking expressions of interest for three elected director positions on its Board of Directors, commencing November 2025.

EIS Health’s purpose is to enable high-quality, accessible health care across our region. To support this mission, we maintain an independent, skills-based Board that provides strong governance, strategic oversight, and leadership in primary health system reform.

We are seeking skilled and motivated individuals who bring governance experience as a core capability and are committed to upholding the highest standards of Board performance.

In addition, we are particularly interested in candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Legal
• Commercial/Business
• Information Technology

We also welcome candidates with other relevant skills, sector knowledge, or lived experience that could enhance the diversity and effectiveness of the Board.

About CESPHN

CESPHN’s core responsibilities include:

• Commissioning health services to meet local needs and address service gaps
• Supporting general practice and allied health to deliver high-quality care
• Integrating health services locally to improve patient experience and system efficiency

The EIS Health Board currently comprises 11 directors: eight elected and three appointed. In accordance with the Constitution, three elected directors will retire at the 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM). Retiring directors are eligible to nominate for re-election, provided they have not served three consecutive three-year terms. All Board positions are remunerated in accordance with the EIS Health Director Remuneration Policy.

Equity and Inclusion

EIS Health is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to equity, diversity and social inclusion. We encourage applications from:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
• People living with a disability
• Women and gender-diverse candidates as we are committed to maintaining gender balance on the Board

Expression of Interest Process and Timeline

This is a three-stage process:

Stage 1 – Expression of Interest

EOIs must be submitted by 11.59pm Wednesday 30 July 2025.
Applicants will complete a short EOI form covering demographics, qualifications, and relevant skills. The Nominations Committee will review submissions and applicants not proceeding to Stage 2 will be notified by late August. Please note that individual feedback will not be provided.

Stage 2 – Detailed Application

Shortlisted applicants will be invited on 21 August 2025 to submit a detailed application by Wednesday 27 August 2025.

This application will include:

• A short biography
• A 500-word statement outlining why you should be considered for a Board position and what you would bring to the role.

Stage 3 – Interview

Final-stage candidates may be invited to participate in a 30-minute interview, either via video conference or in person, with two members of the Nominations Committee.

Final Appointment Process

Following the completion of Stage 3 the Nominations Committee will propose a list of recommended candidates to the seven Member Companies of EIS Health Ltd based on alignment with the Board’s current needs and strategic priorities.

The Member Companies will review and endorse the final appointments to the Board.

Successful candidates will be notified two weeks  prior to the AGM, which will be held on Tuesday 18 November 2025. They will be formally appointed at the AGM and are expected to attend a Board meeting immediately following the AGM.

To apply please complete this EOI form (available Wednesday 9 July 2025).

For more information please contact Charlotte Hespe, Chair of the Nominations Committee, at c.hespe@cesphn.com.au.

Position Description for EIS Health Ltd Non-Executive Director 

CESPHN Overview

At Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network, we focus on improving the health and wellbeing of the 1.5 million people who live and work in Sydney, from East to South and the Inner West. Our boundaries align with those of South Eastern Sydney Local Health District and Sydney Local Health District.

Primary health refers to the healthcare provided in the community by people including doctors, practice nurses, pharmacists and psychologists. We provide support and training to these health professionals to enable quality care delivery. We help them to connect community members to other services so that everyone involved in a person’s care can know how best to look after their health.

CESPHN is a not-for-profit organisation. We receive funding from the government to commission primary care and mental health services to address population health needs and gaps in service delivery and to improve access and equity. We also work to coordinate and integrate local health care services such as hospitals, specialists, aged care services and others to improve people’s experience when needing healthcare. We work to make it easier for people to get the best care and support when and where they need it to achieve our vision of healthy and thriving communities.

Our Vision:

Healthy and thriving communities

Our Values:

• Collaboration: We work as a network with many partners and stakeholders to help meet the primary health needs of the community.
• Innovation: We innovate to continuously improve. We are proactive and creative in our approaches. We challenge the status quo.
• Inclusion and Equity: Inclusion and equity are the heart of our decisions and actions. We celebrate diversity and reduce barriers to access and opportunity.

Key reference documents:

EIS Health Constitution

Strategic plan

Annual report

Reconciliation Action Plan

The role: 

The primary role of a non-executive director is to actively contribute to the Board’s governance of the company, to the setting of its strategic direction and to the monitoring of the company’s performance. 

The role requires attendance at all Board meetings (minimum of six per annum), participation in relevant Board Committee(s) and attendance at annual planning forums, learning and development activities, and other functions. 

The Board seeks an appropriate skill mix, informed by the Board skills matrix. Directors must be team players, able to bring their skills and experience to strengthen the effectiveness of the Board and achievement of the organisation’s vision.