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