CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
ROYAL WOMEN'S HOSPITAL
CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK
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Executive Summary
- Lead operational excellence at Australia’s premier specialist women’s hospital, shaping care models with statewide impact
- Drive organisational transformation, innovation and performance in a dynamic, purpose‑driven environment.
- Influence the future of women’s health through strong partnerships, system leadership and statewide reform.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Royal Women’s Hospital is Australia’s leading specialist hospital for women and newborns and is recognised for its clinical excellence, statewide service leadership and its strong advocacy for women’s health. As a tertiary organisation with a long-established commitment to innovation, evidence-based practice and health equity, the Women’s plays a central role in improving outcomes for women and babies across Victoria. Its services span maternity, neonatal intensive care, gynaecology, fertility, cancer services, subspecialty programs, research and education, underpinned by a deep commitment to addressing inequity and advancing care for communities whose needs have historically been overlooked or stigmatised.
THE ROLE
The Chief Operating Officer holds overarching responsibility for the safe, high‑quality and efficient operational delivery of all clinical services across the Royal Women’s Hospital. As the operational leader of a statewide tertiary specialist service, the COO ensures that core programs—including maternity, neonatal intensive care, gynaecology, planned surgery, emergency and ambulatory services—operate seamlessly and consistently meet performance, access, safety and patient‑experience expectations. The role drives contemporary models of care, leads redesign and improvement initiatives, advances digital and data‑enabled operational capability (including developing the Virtual strategy for the Women’s), and ensures that clinical governance and accountability frameworks are appropriately utilised and effective. With direct oversight of clinical operational leaders and responsibility for clinical workforce optimisation, service planning, capacity management and financial performance, the COO plays a central role in translating the hospital’s strategy into high‑performing, integrated and sustainable health services.
Equally, the COO is a key strategic partner to the Chief Executive and Executive Leadership Team, contributing to long‑term organisational direction and leading major change across a complex and high‑acuity environment. The role requires strong system‑level engagement, representing the Women’s in statewide service planning, policy development and reform forums; building productive partnerships with government, Safer Care Victoria, the Parkville Local Health Service Network, academic institutions and community organisations; and ensuring the Women’s remains a recognised leader in women’s health across Victoria. Through this combination of operational excellence and system influence, the COO strengthens the hospital’s leadership position and shapes the future of specialist women’s and newborn healthcare, ensuring that services evolve in line with growing demand, emerging evidence and the Women’s long‑standing commitment to equity, innovation and exceptional care.
THE CANDIDATE
The successful candidate will be an accomplished senior healthcare executive with deep operational experience in tertiary and complex service environments. They will bring the strategic insight and operational discipline required to oversee large-scale clinical services, manage performance, and deliver measurable improvements in quality, safety and efficiency. They will demonstrate strong leadership capability, sound judgement and the ability to build trust with clinicians, executives and government stakeholders. An ability to lead through complexity, shape change, influence outcomes and maintain clarity under pressure will be essential. Commitment to equity, inclusion and the Women’s values will underpin their approach to both leadership and decision-making.
For a confidential discussion, please get in touch with:
Liz Hlipala
Principal Search Consultant
M. +61 (0)401 122 301
E. lhlipala@hardygroupintl.com
THE ROYAL WOMEN'S HOSPITAL
Find the exceptional in your everyday.
Located in Melbourne on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, the Royal Women’s Hospital is Australia's first and leading specialist hospital for women and newborns. We offer expertise in maternity services, neonatal care, gynaecology, assisted reproduction, women’s health and cancer services. We advocate for women’s health in areas that have long been overlooked or stigmatised, including abortion, endometriosis, family violence, female genital mutilation, menopause, women’s mental health, sexual assault and substance use in pregnancy.
Founded in 1856 as a place where disadvantaged women could give birth safely and receive proper medical care, the Royal Women’s Hospital is among the oldest and most distinguished women’s hospitals in the world.
The Women’s continues to lead the way in women’s and newborn healthcare – delivering specialist maternity, neonatal, gynaecology, oncology, reproductive and sexual health services to women in Melbourne, as well as those with complex needs from across Victoria and Australia.
As a state-wide tertiary hospital, we are a significant provider of education and help train the next generation of highly-skilled midwives, nurses, allied health professionals, obstetricians, neonatologists and other specialists. Expert training also extends into communities with programs delivered to local hospitals and primary health care services across the state.
Internationally, we are recognised for our clinical expertise and excellence in research. Our research explores the full spectrum of women’s and newborn health. From pioneering IVF technology leading to Australia’s first IVF baby in 1980, to advances in newborn medicine, increased survival rates for sick and premature babies and improved outcomes for women with cancer – the Women’s is committed to improving the lives of this generation and the next.
For more than 160 years, the Women’s has built its reputation as one of Australia’s most loved and trusted public hospitals by providing exceptional patient care and advocating for better health outcomes for women and girls.
Each year, we provide 250,000 episodes of care and deliver more than 7,000 babies. As a tertiary hospital specialising in complex pregnancies, we care for around 1,500 babies in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) annually. With our patients originating from 190 countries, speaking 90 different languages and following 70 different religious faiths, we support families and individuals from all backgrounds and abilities and we welcome cultural, religious, sexual and gender diversity.
Our Vision, Values and Declaration
The Women’s vision, values and declaration reflect our promise to our patients and consumers and articulate our culture and commitment to our community and each other.
Our vision: Creating healthier futures for women and babies.
Our Values
The Women’s values align our people to a common purpose. They help to build productive working relationships and support us to achieve our strategy and vision.
The Women’s declaration reflects the principles and philosophies fundamental to our hospital, our people and our culture.
- We are committed to the social model of health
- We care for women from all walks of life
- We recognise that sex and gender affect health and healthcare
- We are a voice for women’s health
- We seek to achieve health equity
Our Commitment to Inclusion
The Women’s is committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive environment which enhances staff and consumer wellbeing and nurtures a sense of belonging. We strongly encourage anyone identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander to join us. We offer a range of programs and services to support First Nations employees. We invite people with disability to work with us, and we welcome anyone who identifies as linguistically, culturally and/or gender diverse, people from the LGBTQIA+ community and people of any age.
Role Specification
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a key member of the Executive Leadership Team and is responsible for the safe, effective, efficient, and sustainable operational delivery of services across the Hospital.
As a tertiary and state-flagship Women’s Hospital, the organisation delivers highly specialised, complex care, leads statewide services, and plays a critical role in education, research, innovation, and system leadership. The COO ensures operational excellence while enabling clinical quality, workforce wellbeing, and person-centred care for women, babies, and families.
This a key leadership role and must foster collaborative working relationships across the Executive team, and with other key stakeholders including the Department of Health (DH), relevant professional and industrial bodies and other Health Services including the Parkville Local Health Services Network partners.
Leadership and people management
- Lead multidisciplinary teams, fostering respect, inclusion, and psychological safety.
- Support workforce planning, capability development, and staff wellbeing.
- Mentor Directors ensure performance feedback and development opportunities.
- Promote systems that engage employees and improve people-related performance indicators.
Innovation and improvement
- Drive a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Champion redesign and lean principles to enhance patient care and resource use.
- Lead major change initiatives and communicate effectively with stakeholders.
- Partner with leaders to enable technology-driven care and operational analytics.
Operational Management
- Translate strategy into operational plans and performance targets.
- Optimise patient flow, access, and capacity management.
- Drive improvements in elective surgery, maternity, neonatal, and outpatient services.
- Support innovative workforce models and efficient discharge planning.
Governance, Quality and Safety
- Ensure high-quality, safe, and person-centred care across all services.
- Ensure compliance with clinical governance, safety standards, and risk management.
- Promote accountability and performance measurement across services.
Financial Management
- Support the development of and provide leadership in the implementation of the hospital’s Finance Strategy.
- Maintain financial accountability and deliver budgetary targets.
- Implement strategies for financial effectiveness and break-even results.
System Leadership
- Represent the Hospital in system-wide forums and contribute to statewide service planning and reform.
- Build strong partnerships with government, local health networks, primary care, academic partners, and community organisations.
- Support the Hospital’s role as a leader in women’s health across the state.
Essential
- Postgraduate qualifications in health or management (Nurse/Midwife/Allied Health desirable).
- Extensive senior leadership experience in complex tertiary healthcare settings.
- Proven ability to lead large-scale clinical operations with strong safety and quality outcomes.
- Financial and strategic management expertise with a record of delivering results.
- Ability to influence and engage diverse stakeholders and lead multidisciplinary teams.
- Strong strategic thinking, planning, and change management skills.
- Knowledge of health funding, regulatory, and legislative frameworks.
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, inclusion, and workforce development.
Budget: $200 million
Reports To: Chief Executive Officer
Direct reports: 11
Indirect reports: 74 Managers & Unit Heads
Key Internal relationships
- Chief Executive
- Executive Team Members
- Directors
- After Hours Managers
- Senior Medical Staff
- RWH Board Directors
External relationships
- Department of Health
- Safer Care Victoria
- External Partners and key stakeholders including members of the Parkville Local Health Service Network
- Frances Perry House
- Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre
Please Discuss with your HardyGroup Consultant
Service Location: Melbourne
Classification: HEER Executive Contract
Key performance indicators (KPIs) are how you will be measured as meeting the responsibilities of the position. These will be set with you as part of your Performance Development Plan within the first six months of your appointment to the position.
Inherent requirements:
Inherent requirements are the essential tasks and activities that must be carried out in order to perform this role, including with adjustments. The Women’s is committed to providing workplace adjustments that support all people to work with us. We welcome you to discuss any adjustments with the manager of this role during the recruitment process or at any time during your employment, as we acknowledge and understand circumstances can change. You can also request a copy of our workplace adjustments procedure for more information.
Please see the position description for Physical, Sensory and Psychosocial Demands here.
Employee awareness and responsibilities
- Employees are required to be aware of, and work in accordance with, hospital policies and procedures.
- Employees are required to identify and report incidents, potential for error and near misses, to improve knowledge systems and processes and create a safe environment for staff and patients.
- Employees agree to provide evidence of a valid employment Working with Children Check and provide complete details for the Women’s to undertake a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC).
- Our aspiration is a future free from violence and discrimination in which healthy, respectful relationships are the norm. The Women’s expects all staff to contribute to a culture that promotes and supports diversity, equity, respect and inclusion.
- The Women's provides pregnancy termination services as part of its public health responsibility to provide safe health care to women.
- We are committed to the safety, wellbeing and empowerment of all children and young people. We prioritise an environment where children are protected and heard. We commit to safeguarding the social and emotional wellbeing of First Nations children, understanding that their connection to country, culture, kin and community is critical to their safety.
Vaccination requirements
As this role does not have direct patient contact, employees are strongly encouraged (although not required) to be vaccinated against COVID-19, influenza, whooping cough (pertussis), chicken pox and MMR (measles, mumps, rubella).
The Royal Women's Hospital Website
Strategic Plan 2022-2025 Please note - this strategic plan will be superseded later in 2026.
The closing date for applications is Sunday, 22 February 2026.
The reference number to include in your application is H25_5349
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, Sarah Prebble: M: +61 (0)430 219 787 / E: sprebble@hardygroupintl.com
Your application must include:
- 1.Your current CV or resume, including referees. You must seek approval prior to nominating a person as a referee. Referees should have a thorough knowledge of your work performance and conduct, and it is preferable to include your current/immediate past supervisor. By providing the names and contact details of your referee/s you consent for these people to be contacted by the selection panel. If you do not wish for a referee to be contacted, please indicate this on your resume and contact the selection panel chair to discuss.
- 2.A cover letter including a short statement of no more than 2 pages outlining why you are the best person for the role and what you would hope to contribute and gain in this opportunity.
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
Principal Search Consultant
M. +61 (0)401 122 301
E. lhlipala@hardygroupintl.com
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One of Melbourne's many art-covered alleyways. Credit
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