Chief Operating Officer

• Executive Leadership Opportunity | Drive Operational Excellence | Northeast Victoria
• Full Time, 3 or 5 Year Fixed Term Contract
• 76 hours per fortnight

Northeast Health Wangaratta (NHW) is the major health provider in the Central Hume region with an extensive range of acute, sub-acute, aged care and community services.

Executive Leadership Opportunity | Drive Operational Excellence | Northeast Victoria

About the Role

Northeast Health Wangaratta (NHW) is seeking a dynamic and experienced Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead our Clinical Operations Directorate. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and forming a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, this pivotal role will guide the delivery of safe, high-quality, and patient-centred care across a broad portfolio of acute, sub-acute, ambulatory, and community services.

The COO will provide both strategic and operational leadership, with a strong emphasis on systems thinking, service improvement, healthcare reform, and financial stewardship. The position holds responsibility for a budget in excess of $123 million and a workforce of approximately 655 FTE.

You will work closely with fellow Executives and Senior Leaders to ensure effective, integrated service delivery within a managed care environment. The COO also plays an important role in advising the CEO and Board of Directors on matters of strategic significance, performance, and innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic and operational performance of clinical services including inpatient and ambulatory care, care at home, specialist outpatient clinics, and infection prevention and control.
• Foster a high-performance culture centred on patient safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Strengthen service integration, workforce planning, and system-wide alignment to strategic priorities.
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to support sustainable and responsive healthcare delivery.
• Lead, support, and develop a high-performing leadership team across three operational directorates.

Positions reporting to the COO:

• Operational Director, Patient Access & Flow
• Operational Director, Specialist Services
• Operational Director, Allied Health and Community Services

About You

You are an experienced senior healthcare leader with a proven track record in leading complex hospital or health service operations. You bring a collaborative leadership style, a deep commitment to patient care, and the ability to navigate clinical, financial, and strategic demands with confidence and integrity.

You will demonstrate:

• Executive-level leadership experience in a hospital or large health service environment.
• Sound understanding of clinical governance, performance management, and contemporary healthcare reform.
• Proven capability in leading large multidisciplinary teams and managing substantial budgets.
• Highly developed interpersonal and negotiation skills, with a strong values-driven approach to leadership.

Why Join NHW?

At NHW, we are proud to be a regional health service with a strong reputation for clinical excellence and a culture grounded in fairness, respect, and collaboration. We offer:

• A values-based environment where Fairness, Excellence, Respect, Kindness, Integrity, and Courage are at the heart of everything we do.
• Opportunities for professional development, leadership growth, and cross-sector collaboration.
• The chance to make a lasting impact on the health and wellbeing of our regional community.

Our Region:

• Wangaratta has a population of approximately 30,000 and our catchment serves a community of around 100 000 throughout the northeast.
• An easy 2 ½ hours drive on the Hume freeway from Melbourne and less than an hour to Albury airport with direct flights to most of the large Australian cities.
• We have over 11 schools including private Catholic and Anglican schooling options for pre-year 12.
• Our region is a popular destination year-round. It boasts multiple national parks, picturesque small towns, award winning restaurants, wineries and breweries. 
• Whether you want to hike, mountain bike and ski in the mountains, paddle the rivers or cruise on the rail trails there is something for everyone in the northeast.
• https://www.visitwangaratta.com.au/Home
• https://www.victoriashighcountry.com.au/snow/

The successful applicant will benefit from:

• Competitive remuneration, novated leasing and full salary packaging benefits Available. If you have relocated permanently you may also be able to substantially increase your take-home pay by salary packaging some or all of your relocation costs.
• Employee Assistant Programs (EAP)
• Well being programs and discounted corporate gym membership
• Social Club Benefits
• Support for our diverse workforce

Applying for the role:

• To discuss the role in confidence, please contact Libby Fifis, NHW Chief Executive Officer via 03 5722 5453.
• Confirmation of Influenza Vaccination or an approved medical exemption is required upon application. Covid Vaccination is strongly recommended
• A PD for this role can be downloaded below or at www.northeasthealth.org.au/careers/jobs/
• Applications must include a cover letter, CV and address the key selection criteria from the PD
• Employment Statutory Declaration form must be submitted with your application
• To apply for this position hit Apply Now/Join Now or head over to our careers page at www.northeasthealth.org.au/careers/jobs/
• All additional documents can be uploaded within the application after filling in the key selection criteria
• Applications close Sunday, 17th of August 2025

NHW do not accept unsolicited applications from recruitment companies