Executive Director Operations

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• Lead operations across 11 hospitals, 2 community health facilities and a range of District services in regional NSW
• Drive strategic transformation, financial turnaround, and major capital works
• Champion innovation, workforce culture, and patient-centred care

The Position

Southern NSW Local Health District (SNSWLHD) is seeking an accomplished leader to serve as Executive Director, Operations. Under the strong leadership of the current Executive Leadership Team (ELT). SNSWLHD has achieved its strongest performance in years, with recent changes to operating structures and key appointments positioning the organisation for future success. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, the Executive Director, Operations is second-in-charge for the District and leads operations across 11 hospitals 2 community health facilities and a range of District services. The remit includes oversight of :

The Executive Director Operations is responsible for driving performance and improvement programmes, leading major capital works such as the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital, and ensuring clinical governance systems meet national standards.

A key focus of the position will be the implementation of a three-year financial turnaround plan, managing a $380 million operational budget and overseeing more than $400 million in capital works.

The District is committed to innovation and planning for new models of care to meet evolving community needs within constrained resources. Community and clinician engagement are central, ensuring local involvement in health service planning and enhancing patient-centred care.

The ideal candidate will be an accomplished executive leader with experience ideally gained in large, complex health service and hospital environments, and preferably with exposure to regional or rural contexts at scale. The appointee will possess a proven ability to oversee operational delivery across diverse health settings, with a prior track record of managing large budgets, be adept in managing competing priorities and strong relationship and stakeholder management skills. Adept at strategic planning, performance management, and driving major capital works, the successful candidate will foster a culture of collaboration, openness, respect, and empowerment (CORE) values. Experience in building high-performing teams, developing executive capability, and leading continuous improvement agendas is essential, as is the ability to engage effectively with clinicians, community stakeholders, and government agencies to deliver patient-centred care and sustainable organisational outcomes.

The position is located in Queanbeyan, with travel across the District and the appointee will be offered an attractive senior executive package of between $298,631 to $336,050 per annum for this Health Service senior executive Band 2 role.

The Organisation

Southern NSW Local Health District covers an area of 44,534 square kilometres, stretching from Goulburn and Crookwell to the Victorian border and surrounding the ACT on three sides. The District serves a population of over 209,000 residents and welcomes more than five million tourists annually. SNSWLHD is one of the region’s largest employers, with a workforce of more than 3,000 staff across 11 hospital sites and community health services, and an annual budget exceeding $520 million.

The District provides a comprehensive range of services, including emergency, intensive care, coronary care, maternity, mental health, acute medical and surgical services, as well as primary and community care. SNSWLHD is home to five large Aboriginal nations – the Gundungurra, Ngunnawal, Ngarigo, Ngambri and Yuin – and is committed to delivering high-quality, safe, and patient-centred care in accordance with its CORE values.

For further information on Southern NSW Local Health District view ‘We are Southern’ video here

Message from Margaret Bennett, Chief Executive Officer click here

To apply –  Please review the role description and capability requirements for the role and submit your up-to-date resume and a brief cover letter including a short statement in response to the two target questions (1-2 pages)

For role enquiries please contact Michael De Santis on

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion

Southern New South Wales Local Health District is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and flexible environment which reflects the community and customers we serve. We actively promote the employment of women, people with a disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTIQ+ community and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

If you identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and would like assistance with your application or to obtain more information on how to apply, please visit The Stepping Up Initiative.

To be eligible for employment in these roles you must be an Australian citizen, or a permanent resident, or a New Zealand citizen, or hold a valid visa with permission to work in Australia.

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