Contributes to decision making on whole-of-health issues as part of the SMHS Area Executive, and leads the strategic direction and planning for safety, quality and consumer engagement for the health service. Responsible and accountable for analysis and provision of high-level expert advice on key safety, quality, consumer engagement and patient experience within the health service, and at a State and National level. Leads the SMHS Clinical Governance, Safety & Quality Improvement, Consumer Engagement and Patient Experience Programs.

1. 1.Strategic Leadership and Accountability (30%)

• As a member of the SMHS senior management team contributes to decision making on whole of health issues for the Area.
• Actively promotes, guides and facilitates high standards of practice and professional services.
• Leads SMHS engagement with the system manager and other Health Service Providers (HSPs) on Safety and Quality, Consumer Engagement and Patient Experience contributing to systemwide leadership and improvement.
• Actively leads and promotes organisational cultural change.
• Actively and insightfully contributes to strategic, operational and business planning and policy development.
• Provides leadership and guidance to key organisational stakeholders to facilitate the improvement of organisation performance, systems and processes.
• Provides high-level expert advice and support to the Chief Executive, and other Area executives, through analysis and assessment of trends and emerging issues within and across the Area, and at the state and national levels in relation to the position’s portfolio of responsibilities.
• Builds a competent team, driving and building the framework for continuous development of staff to ensure high performance within the directorate.
• Ensures that resources are managed and developed to meet service requirements and area outcomes.
• Ensures that the portfolio’s services and activities meet all clinical and/or corporate governance requirements.

1. 2.Communication and Consultation (30%)

• Initiates and facilitates forums and discussion groups to resolve issues relating to safety, quality, and consumer engagement including policy development, strategic and operational frameworks/plans and legislative compliance.
• Initiates, facilitates and maintains strong working relationships in order to effectively liaise, consult and negotiate with all relevant internal and external stakeholders.

1. 3.Specific Position and/or Operational Responsibilities (40%)

• Provides the strategic direction planning, leadership and focus for safety, quality, clinical governance and consumer engagement across SMHS.
• Establishes, leads and directs the clinical governance program for the Area within a clinical governance framework.
• Leads and direct the management and co-ordination of the Area’s consumer engagement participation programs to ensure greater involvement by local communities in the planning of appropriate services for this population.
• Develops, implements and reviews the key strategies and objectives of the Safety, Quality and Consumer Engagement Directorate.
• Leads the development, implementation and ongoing review of SMHS’s external certification and accreditation processes.
• Develop, establish and maintain clinical governance systems and processes for monitoring and reviewing clinical performance and safety and quality of care.
• Champions SMHS’s safety and quality initiatives and innovations.
• Leads and directs SMHS’s safety and quality reports, trends and analysis for the AEG and Board.
• Establishes, leads and directs the SMHS Quality Management System.
• Actively leads and promotes a patient safety culture.
• Leads and directs the SMHS Patient Experience Program.

1. 4.SMHS Governance, Safety and Quality Requirements

• Commits to undertake the duties of the role in accordance with the WA Health Code of Conduct, the SMHS Vision and SMHS Values of Care, Integrity, Respect, Excellence and Teamwork.
• Ensures, as far as practicable, the provision of a safe working environment in consultation with staff under their supervision.
• Participates in an annual performance development review and undertakes performance development review of staff under their supervision.
• Supports the delivery of safe patient care and the consumers’ experience including identifying, facilitating and participating in continuous safety and quality improvement activities, and ensuring services and practices align with the requirements of the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards and other recognised health standards.
• Completes mandatory training (including safety and quality training) as relevant to role.
• Performs duties in accordance with Government, WA Health, South Metropolitan Health Service and Departmental / Program specific policies and procedures, and applicable legislative obligations under the Public Sector Management Act, the Health Services Act, Work Health and Safety Act, the Disability Services Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.

5. Undertakes other duties as directed

1. Exemplifies personal integrity and commitment to public service

• demonstrates public service professionalism, probity and accountability
• ability to work within and promote the values of SMHS
• exhibits personal commitment to customer service
• engages with risk
• demonstrates personal commitment to professional development.

2. Shapes and manages strategy

• inspires a sense of purpose and direction towards achieving a strategic vision
• shows forward thinking, judgement, intelligence and common sense
• directs policy development within a public policy environment
• directs the implementation of operational reforms
• harnesses information and opportunities

3. Achieves results and operational excellence

• builds organisational skill and shapes culture
• steers and implements change and deals with uncertainty
• delivers intended results
• ensures delivery of high quality services
• manages all resources in a constrained environment
• demonstrates leadership in workforce and succession planning

4. Builds productive relationships

• nurtures internal and external relationships
• facilitates cooperation and partnerships
• guides, coaches and develops people

5. Communicates and influences effectively

• communicates clearly
• listens, understands and adapts to audience
• negotiates and advocates persuasively
• values individual differences and diversity

1. 6.Current knowledge of legislative obligations for Equal Opportunity, Disability Services and Occupational Safety and Health, and how these impact on employment and service delivery.

Desirable:

1. Relevant Tertiary qualifications

2. Experience in complex healthcare environment

This position reports directly to the Chief Executive and is a member of the South Metropolitan Health Service Area Executive.

Positions reporting to the Executive Director include:

• Manager Quality Improvement G10
• Manager Safety Improvement G10
• Manager Clinical Governance G10
• Project Manager Quality Management Program G10
• Executive Assistant G4

Internal Committees to SMHS:

• SMHS Area Executive Group
• Board Safety and Quality Committee and People, Culture and Engagement
• Recognising and Responding to Clinical Deterioration Steering Committee. ED SQCE Chairs.
• Palliative Care Specialist Care working group – member
• There is the Serious Adverse Event Review Committee. Chaired by ED SQCE.

External Committees to SMHS:

• Quality Action Collaborative (QuAC).
• ED SQCE forum.
• DoH Coronial Review Committee
• MySay Executive Steering Committee.
• What Matters to You – statewide working group.
• Sustainable Health Review Recommendation 23 Advisory Group – member.

SMHS Area Committees Chart

1. 1.This is an opportunity to work for a high performing, progressive health service committed to excellence in service delivery, patient experience and outcomes and the continuous improvement of safety and quality across the service.
2. 2.The SMHS is the first Australian health service to partner with the Virginia Mason Institute to implement a quality management program across all its hospitals and community-based services. This is an opportunity for a S&Q professional to get in on the ground floor and be part of this exciting endeavour.
3. 3.The Fiona Stanley Hospital is a tertiary and quaternary hospital and the largest and newest Hospital in Perth. This is an opportunity to be able to make an impact across a broad and diverse organisation in your field of expertise.
4. 4.The organisation is high performing and supports a dynamic culture of change and transformation.

• Direct Reports: Approx 13,000 staff across SMHS

A total remuneration package is offered between $236,590 - $254,000 p.a. For further details please contact the Principal Consultant.

Classification: Health Executive Grade B – Corporate.

Service Location: South Metropolitan Health Service

Position Description

SMHS Website

SMHS Area Committees Chart

Strategic Plan

The closing date for applications is Tuesday, 22nd July 2025

The reference number to include in your application is H25_5163

Note: Please use the online platform to submit your application. It will not be accepted via email.

If you require assistance in submitting your application online, please get in touch with Executive Search Coordinator, Natasha Tirado: M: +61 (0)468 301 310 / E: ntirado@hardygroupintl.com

Your application must include:

1. 1.Cover letter addressed to the Principal Consultant;
2. 2.A written response addressing the key selection criteria; and
3. 3.An up to date copy of your Curriculum Vitae.

It Is standard practice for HardyGroup to acknowledge receipt of your application no later than the next business day. We request that if you do not receive the acknowledgement, you contact the search coordinator listed above as soon as possible after the 24-hour business period and arrange to resend your application if necessary.

For a confidential discussion, please contact:

Liz Hlipala
​HardyGroup Principal Consultant

M. +61 (0)401 122 301

E. lhlipala@hardygroupintl.com