Director Medical Services
Northern Beaches Hospital
Northern Sydney Local Health District
CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK
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Northern Sydney Local Health District acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land, the Guringai and Dharug peoples. Their spirit can be found across the region, and we honour the memory of their ancestors and Elders, past and present.
NSLHD is committed to diversity and social inclusion and celebrates, values, and includes people of all backgrounds, genders, sexualities, cultures, bodies and abilities.
Executive Summary
- Play a key role in transitioning Northern Beaches Hospital to NSW Health ownership
- Shape medical leadership and professional culture across a large, complex metropolitan acute hospital
- Contribute to the wider strategic priorities of Northern Sydney Local Health District
THE OPPORTUNITY
This is a rare and career-defining opportunity to shape the future medical leadership, culture, and systems of Northern Beaches Hospital at a pivotal moment in its history.
As the hospital transitions from a public–private partnership to full NSW Health ownership in 2026, the Director of Medical Services (DMS) will play a central leadership role in guiding the medical workforce through this change. The role offers the opportunity to embed strong public-sector clinical governance, workforce and performance frameworks, while preserving continuity of care, professional pride and service excellence across a large, complex metropolitan acute hospital.
THE ROLE
The Director of Medical Services is a senior member of the Hospital Executive with responsibility for the strategic and operational leadership of Medical Services and the Medical Workforce Unit. The role provides oversight of medical workforce planning, recruitment, deployment, wellbeing, performance and budget management, alongside leadership of clinical governance, quality and safety systems and accreditation activities. The DMS is the site lead for medico-legal and coronial matters, complaints management and open disclosure, and plays a key role in disaster preparedness and executive on-call. Working closely with Clinical Directors and Divisional leaders, the role supports effective clinical operations, strengthens professional standards and ensures alignment with NSW Health policy, performance and governance requirements during a period of significant organisational change.
THE CANDIDATE
The successful candidate will be a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (FRACMA), with specialist registration with the Medical Board of Australia, and will ideally hold postgraduate qualifications in health or business management. They will bring substantial senior medical leadership experience within a large and complex hospital environment, with a proven ability to lead and support medical workforces, oversee clinical governance frameworks and guide clinicians through periods of organisational change. This role requires a visible and collaborative medical leader who can engage effectively with medical staff, shape professional culture and sustain confidence, stability and performance throughout the transition.
For a confidential discussion, please get in touch with:
Janine Hammat
HardyGroup Principal Consultant
M. +61 (0)488 555 858
E. jhammat@hardygroupintl.com
Lynette Taylor
HardyGroup Executive Director Search & Recruitment
M. +61 (0)431 293 861
E. ltaylor@hardygroupintl.com
NORTHERN SYDNEY
LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT
Who We Are
We are a health service that touches thousands of lives across the Northern Sydney Local Health District, together as a team of like-minded people. We are passionate, driven and have the skills and knowledge to care for our patients whilst creating the best services possible. Our teams have meaningful, interesting and rewarding work everyday. We challenge and nurture each other, sharing our knowledge and experience so that we can deliver better care for everyone. There's a real sense of belonging here because we value and respect our patients, employees, and teams' voices. You'll feel a real privilege being a trusted caregiver in our patients, their families, their carers, and our communities' lives.
Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD) delivers exceptional public healthcare to almost one million people living across Sydney’s northern region. As part of NSW Health, we take pride in providing safe, high-quality and compassionate care across our hospitals, community health services, and specialist programs.
Our District includes four other major hospitals — Royal North Shore, Hornsby Ku-ring-gai, Ryde and Mona Vale — along with a broad network of community health centres and support services. Together, our teams care for people at every stage of life and in every setting, from acute and emergency care to rehabilitation, mental health, and community-based wellbeing programs.
Our Purpose and Values
Our purpose is clear — to deliver safe, connected and person-centred healthcare in partnership with our patients, carers and community. Our vision, Exceptional Care, Leaders in Research, Partners in Wellbeing, reflects the strength of our people and our deep commitment to learning, collaboration and improvement.
We live by the NSW Health CORE values of Collaboration, Openness, Respect and Empowerment, which guide how we work together and how we serve our community. These values are woven into our culture and evident in how we lead, support and develop our workforce every day.
Read more in the NSLHD CORE Values and Behaviours Charter
NORTHERN BEACHES HOSPITAL
Northern Beaches Hospital is a major metropolitan acute hospital located in French’s Forest on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Opened in 2018, the hospital was developed to replace the former Manly and Mona Vale hospitals and has operated under a public–private partnership model. In 2026, the hospital will transition to full public ownership and operation by NSW Health, bringing the entire facility back into the public hospital system.
The hospital is a large, modern service with close to 500 beds, making it one of the largest hospitals in Northern Sydney. It serves a rapidly growing and geographically distinct catchment, providing both local and district-level acute care. The facility includes a 24-hour emergency department, intensive care and high-dependency services, operating theatres, interventional suites and a full range of inpatient and outpatient services.
Northern Beaches Hospital delivers a broad scope of clinical care, including emergency and trauma services, general medicine and surgery, orthopaedics, cardiology, neurology, renal medicine with dialysis, cancer services, mental health care, maternity and paediatrics. It also supports diagnostic imaging, pathology, allied health, day procedures and specialist outpatient clinics. Since opening, the hospital has managed high volumes of emergency presentations, complex surgical activity and maternity services, and has functioned as a key acute care hub for the Northern Beaches community.
Role Specification
The Director of Medical Services is responsible for providing expert professional and clinical leadership in the strategic and operational management of Medical Services and the Medical Workforce unit. The Director, Medical Services role is a senior member of the NBH Executive, and as such participates in all decisions and accountabilities regarding the management of the Health Service. The DMS has primary responsibility for:
- Medical workforce – its efficient deployment, recruitment, wellbeing, cost and sustainability
- Leadership of key National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards including Medication Safety and Blood Management
- The coordination of the effectiveness, quality and safety of clinical operations
- Strategic and operational management of Medical Services and the Medical Workforce Unit
- NBH site lead on medicolegal matters, including preparation of materials, collaboration with counsel and support for staff and the various medicolegal processes
- Support for the coronial process and coronial matters, as they pertain to NBH
- Oversight of the complaints, complaints resolution and open disclosure processes
- Support and professional assistance to Divisional Clinical Leaders and Divisional Directors in fulfilling their respective operational portfolio responsibilities, including clinical governance activities and medical staff performance management requirements
- Leader in the governance and management of care systems and processes within NBH, including descriptions and analysis, identification of issues; opportunities and links to financial and other business objectives.
- The DMS also plays a leading role in the governance and management of care systems and processes within NBH, including descriptions and analysis, identification of issues; opportunities and links to financial and other business objectives.
Northern Beaches Hospital is a major metropolitan acute hospital providing comprehensive emergency, medical, surgical, maternity, paediatric, critical care and specialist services to the Northern Beaches community. As the hospital prepares to transition from a public–private partnership to full operation within NSW Health in 2026, this appointment represents a pivotal leadership opportunity at a defining moment in the hospital’s evolution.
The Director of Medical Services will join the Hospital Executive with a central role in guiding the medical workforce through this period of significant organisational and cultural change. The transition to a state health system will require strong medical leadership to embed public-sector governance, systems and expectations, while maintaining continuity of care, workforce stability and professional standards across a large and complex acute service.
This role offers the opportunity to shape medical leadership and culture, strengthen clinical governance, and support medical staff through change in a way that builds confidence, engagement and trust. For an experienced Medical Administrator, this is a rare chance to influence the future direction of a major hospital, working closely with clinical leaders and executive colleagues to ensure safe, high-quality care and a sustainable medical workforce during and beyond transition.
Operational:
- Be actively involved in operational management and decision making as part of the Executive particularly in relation to budget and performance targets
- Ensure resources are used efficiently and effectively to achieve the organisation's established goals and objectives and performance targets
- Promote and where relevant guide the governance and management of care systems and processes within NBH including leading the system response to Hospital Acquired Complications, clinical variation and, cost and outcome analyses, such as Activity Based Management
- Support Clinical Directors in the management of clinical divisions and facilitate the resolution of interdivisional matters where this is necessary
- Provide leadership in creating a culture of achievement, quality care and customer service which is courteous, friendly, supporting and professional thereby encouraging pride in one's employment and a good image of the Health Service
- Support and oversee the clinical governance system within the Health Service, including:
- Clinical quality and safety systems
- Clinical risk management systems
- Quality improvement
- Support for accreditation activities
- Medication management
- Provide leadership for the Health Service in implementation of the Open Disclosure policy and respond to patient complaints and Ministerials as directed
- Ensure the effective management of medico-legal matters, including notification and management of coronial matters, litigated and non-litigated matters and correspondence to ensure proper representation of staff and the Health Service Participate in the Executive on-call roster as required.
- Lead the organisation's preparedness for disaster management
- Provide overall direction for pharmacy related matters
Medical Practice and Workforce:
- Lead the planning and delivery of medical and clinical services including provision of out of hours medical services
- Ensure the efficient allocation and utilisation of appropriately registered, qualified and credentialed medical staff within the Health Service
- Ensure the provisions of effective clinical service by ensuring the appointment, development and supervision of
- suitably credentialed medical staff, consistent with State, District and health service policy, including participating as a member of the Medical and Dental Appointments Advisory Committee (MDAAC)
- Oversee and direct the recruitment, deployment, supervision and support of junior medical staff
- Ensure that junior medical officer training is provided in accordance with the requirements of HETI
- Facilitate medical undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and promote a philosophy of ongoing education and research
- Act as a communication link between hospital administration and the senior medical staff and attend meetings of the Medical Staff Council
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Financial:
- Responsible for the facility's medical workforce budget (both JMO and SMO)
- Develop and coordinate a financial strategy to meet the budgetary goals of the overall medical workforce budget
- Monitor compliance with approved budget and initiate timely and appropriate corrective action
- As an executive member, contribute to the annual organisational review of the budget
- Interpret financial data and applies activity based funding principles to site and activities
- Monitor JMO and SMO medical costs and hours against agreed targets in consultation with Divisional Managers
- Monitor medical staff turnover, overtime, rostering of overall medical workforce in consultation with divisional managers
Management and leadership:
- Manage, coach, mentor and support staff through performance management, training, supervision and rostering to ensure quality of services and compliance with NSLHD and MoH policies
- Efficiently manage the resources (human, financial, technological, and other) allocated to the department.
- Provide a safe working environment and safe working practices for all staff in the department.
- Identify, analyse, evaluate and document all risks (eg: WHS, Corporate, Clinical, Financial, Reputation, Service Delivery and Legal)
- Ensure that the department operates using a quality management focus in the provision of services/care.
- Ensure Privacy legislation and Ministry of Health requirements are met in respect of the creation, maintenance, archiving and destruction of clinical and other confidential documents.
- Ensure strict confidentiality is maintained in relation to all patient, staff, workplace and NSLHD matters.
- Implement the principles of multicultural health in their work by ensuring services within their area of responsibility are accessible and culturally appropriate to consumers.
- Comply with and implement and maintain the Code of Conduct, EEO, Smoke Free, Bullying and Harassment policies and procedures into the department and ensure effective management of conflict and grievances.
- Perform all other delegated tasks appropriately consistent with the award or terms of employment as may be directed or implied from time to time in line with grading and capabilities
Decision Making:
- Administrative Decision Making in accordance with duties delegated to the role.
Professional Development, Continuing Education and Maintenance of Standards
View the full scope of these in the Position Description.
- As a leader you are expected to support the organisation achieve the aims of the safety management system, to establish and maintain a positive health and safety culture in the workplace and to consult with workers and others when making decisions that may impact upon the health, safety and welfare of those in the workplace. You must ensure you abide by the NSW Health Code of Conduct, this includes supporting, cultivating, and participating in a respectful work culture without aggression, sexual harassment, discrimination and racism. You are encouraged to speak up if you observe or experience inappropriate work place behaviours. NSLHD supports diversity and inclusion and these principles should be applied when interacting with our patients and work colleagues.
- Currently registered or eligible for registration with the Medical Board of Australia with Fellowship of the relevant Australasian College
- 1.Consistently demonstrates behaviours that reinforce the CORE Values of our organisation; Collaboration, Openness, Respect and Empowerment. Demonstrates these behaviours with all stakeholders; colleagues, direct reports, as well as our patients and consumers, and those that care for them.
- 2.MBBS or equivalent, currently registered or eligible for registration with the Medical Board of Australia. Applicants must have Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (FRACMA).
- 3.Tertiary management qualification at a master's level (MHA and/or MBA or equivalent) and relevant experience in a senior medical management role, including in a tertiary hospital.
- 4.Comprehensive understanding of contemporary clinical care and various clinical models of care and associated clinical information systems.
- 5.Strong analytical skills, including a demonstrated ability to identify, analyse, develop and mobilise strategies relating to clinical care processes and systems and their economic and quality performance.
- 6.Comprehensive knowledge of and experience in managing current issues in medical workforce, medical staff training and industrial requirements for medical officers.
- 7.Ability to both lead within and work as part of the executive team.
- 8.Demonstrated commitment to accountability and proven financial management skills within a health environment.
The position works in partnership with:
The members of the Health Service Executive
- The Health Service Executive has a collective and individual responsibility for developing and delivering effective, efficient, high quality health services, in line with the organisational objectives. The position contributes to the implementation of clinical networks and clinical governance systems across the NSLHD
NSLHD Executive Medical Director and Deputy Director Medical Services
- Professional reporting line
NSW Health, Educational institutions, Nursing Homes and relevant NGOs, Ambulance Services, Private Hospitals
- Reporting and engagement of medical workforce activities and representation, workforce compliance and statutory requirements
Local Media, Local Government Agencies, Industrial Bodies, volunteer groups and consumer representatives
- Reporting and engagement of medical workforce activities and representation, workforce compliance and statutory requirements
- Annual Budget: up to $140m
- Direct Reports: 10
Consistent with NSW Award for Senior staff specialist up to $406,390.15.
- Provision of high quality services within finite resources, and the implementation of new systems of care
- Effective local support for networking of clinical services, and developing a culture of continuous improvement
- Development of multidisciplinary teams and service delivery, and the development of partnerships with District based services and Business Units to ensure optimal service delivery for the site
Service Location: Northern Beaches Hospital, Frenchs Forest NSW
Classification: Staff Specialist
Award: State Award Staff Specialists (State) Award
The closing date for applications is Friday, 6 February 2026
The reference number to include in your application is H25_5345
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, Bradie Hammat: M: +61 (0)417 882 900 / E: bhammat@hardygroupintl.com
Your application must include:
- 1.Cover letter addressed to the Principal Consultant;
- 2.A written response addressing the key selection criteria; and
- 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:
Janine Hammat
HardyGroup Principal Consultant
M. +61 (0)488 555 858
E. jhammat@hardygroupintl.com
Lynette Taylor
HardyGroup Executive Director Search & Recruitment
M. +61 (0)431 293 861
E. ltaylor@hardygroupintl.com
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