Director Strategy

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• Lead strategy development and implementation to position Austin Health to meet the needs of its patients and workforce
• 2-year fixed term, full time opportunity
• Heidelberg location at the Austin Hospital, with multiple public transport options

Austin Health is the major provider of tertiary health services, health professional education and research across three campuses in the north-east of Melbourne and statewide. We have a highly engaged, diverse and collaborative workforce that is unified by our goal to help people live healthy and fulfilled lives. 

About Service Improvement and Innovation Department

The Strategy, Sustainability and Engagement Directorate brings together the teams that shape Austin Health’s long-term direction and ensure we deliver sustainable, high-quality care for our community. The directorate includes Service Improvement and Innovation, Strategy and Service Planning, Integrated Programs, GP Liaison, the Austin Health Foundation, and Corporate Communications.

Together, these teams drive organisational strategy, foster innovation, strengthen partnerships, support integrated models of care, enhance community and philanthropic engagement, and ensure clear, consistent communication about and across the organisation.

About the role 

Reporting to the Chief Strategy, Sustainability and Engagement Officer, this role is responsible for both overseeing strategy development and implementation to ensure Austin Health is well positioned to meet the needs of its patients and workforce.

You will work closely with Austin Health’s executive team, Board of Directors and senior stakeholders to develop strategic goals and implement Austin Health’s strategic plan, enabling strategies and other related strategic initiatives by providing leadership, coordination and implementation support.

A regular day will see you:   

• Lead and coordinate the implementation of Austin Health’s Strategic Plan.
• Conduct regular reviews to monitor progress and ensure the organisation’s strategic goals and objectives remain relevant in a changing environment.
• Oversee strategic initiatives from concept design to delivery.
• Provide high-quality, evidence based insights to inform strategic decision making.
• Build trust and confidence amongst the board, executives, clinicians and other organisational leaders and facilitate cross-organisation collaboration.
• Apply governance, including defining program structures, roles and responsibilities, ensuring accountability for outcomes.
• Develop and deliver comprehensive communication and engagement strategies to accompany implementation of strategic initiatives.

About you 

You will be someone who has excellent communication skills, with a strong commitment to excellence in patient care. You’ll bring energy and drive to your work, and have a keen interest in developing your skillset.

To be successful in this role you’ll bring with you:

• Tertiary qualifications in a health, business, or management discipline.
• Demonstrated adaptive leadership capability including experience operating with broad scope in environments of complexity and uncertainty.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and systemically, anticipating future challenges and opportunities.
• Proven capacity to influence, align to common goals and effectively negotiate at all levels.

Our benefits 

Working at Austin Health means enjoying a strong sense of purpose, engaging in meaningful work every day. Our people also receive a variety of rewarding benefits, including: 

• Greater take-home pay through generous salary packaging, for living expenses, meals, and holiday accommodation. 
• A suite of wellness initiatives designed to support you, including discounted fitness memberships and special offers on health insurance, and a comprehensive wellbeing program. 
• Onsite childcare at Austin Hospital, easy access via public transport and car parking options. 
• Mentoring and career development opportunities. 

Work with us! 

We are committed to cultural safety and health equity for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander People. We celebrate, value, and include people of all backgrounds, genders, identities, cultures, bodies, and abilities. We welcome and support applications from talented people identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, people with disability, neurodiverse people, LGBTQIA+ and people of all ages and cultures. 

If you feel this role is right for you, we encourage your early application. Even if you don’t meet every single requirement, we encourage you to apply. What matters most is your passion, your drive and your willingness to learn and contribute. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may take place prior to the closing date. This means we reserve the right to close a job ad prior to the advertised closing date. 

All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory National Police Check and if required, a Working With Children Check. If you require any reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process, you are welcome to reach out to the hiring manager: Maria Perera, Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer at Maria.Perera@austin.org.au

Interested in finding out more about this opportunity? Read the position description for further details. 

Application closing date: Sunday 22 March 2026