MEDICAL CO-DIRECTOR - DIVISION OF MATERNITY & WOMEN'S HEALTH
CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK
ILLAWARRA SHOALHAVEN LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT
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Executive Summary
- Shape the Future of Maternity & Women’s Health Services
- Collaborative Leadership Model
- Strategic and System-Level Impact
THE OPPORTUNITY
Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) is part of NSW Health and delivers comprehensive health services to a growing and diverse population across the region. Guided by CORE values of Collaboration, Openness, Respect and Empowerment, ISLHD provides integrated maternity and women’s health care spanning acute, sub-acute, community, and specialist services. With major redevelopments underway including Shoalhaven and the new Shellharbour Hospital, ISLHD is positioned to expand services, enhance models of care, and deliver improved outcomes for women, newborns, and families
THE ROLE
The Medical Co-Director will partner with the Midwifery Co-Director to strategically lead the Division of Maternity & Women’s Health. The role is responsible for service planning, governance, workforce development, and financial performance across the District. Key priorities include:
- Delivering safe, high-quality, patient-centred maternity and women’s health services.
- Leading workforce recruitment, retention, education, and succession planning.
- Ensuring compliance with quality, safety, and accreditation frameworks.
- Supporting the integration of new facilities and services during major redevelopment.
- Driving research and innovation in models of care.
This role provides a unique platform to shape the future of maternity and women’s health services in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven, influencing outcomes for both the local population and wider NSW Health system
THE CANDIDATE
The successful candidate will be a clinically credible and experienced senior medical leader, with registration (AHPRA) and specialist qualifications in obstetrics, gynaecology, or a relevant field. They will demonstrate:
- A proven record of clinical and operational leadership in maternity and/or women’s health.
- Strong skills in change management, service redesign, and innovation.
- Commitment to safety, quality, risk management, and evidence-based practice.
- Capacity to engage and motivate multidisciplinary teams, modelling CORE values and fostering collaboration.
- High-level communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to engage patients, families, clinicians, and government stakeholders.
- A commitment to equity of access, Aboriginal health outcomes, and culturally safe care.
This is an opportunity for an inspirational leader to co-direct a division that is central to ISLHD’s mission and future growth.
For a confidential discussion, please get in touch with:
Rhodie Miller
HardyGroup Principal Consultant
M. +61 (0)422 816 557
E. rmiller@hardygroupintl.com
ILLAWARRA SHOALHAVEN LHD
The Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) provides health services for the residents of the Illawarra Shoalhaven region – around 400,000 people. This catchment covers the Wollongong, Kiama, Shellharbour and Shoalhaven Local Government Areas.
ISLHD is one of the region’s largest employers with a workforce of more than 8,500 staff. We operate eight hospital sites and provide community health services from approximately 58 locations across the region.
Our Vision:
Excellent services, quality partnerships, healthy communities
Our Purpose:
To provide best practice health care and programs that promote the health and wellbeing of people in the Illawarra Shoalhaven.
Our Values:
Collaboration, Openness, Respect, Empowerment
Strategic Delivery Plan 2023 – 2028
The Strategic Delivery Plan 2023 - 2028 sets a clear direction for the District to meet the current and emerging needs of our local communities over the next five years. The focus will be on a digitally capable and sustainable health system that delivers outcomes that matter most to patients and the community, ensuring care is personalised, and investments are made to support wellness.
Future Health: Guiding the Next Decade of Care in NSW 2022 - 2032 is the roadmap for ISLHD to meet the current and emerging needs of our local communities over the coming decade. This Strategic Delivery Plan outlines the areas of this roadmap we are driving towards over the next five years. The focus will be on a digitally capable and sustainable health system that delivers outcomes that matter most to patients and the community, ensuring care is personalised, and investments are made to support wellness.
Role Specification
The Medical Co-Director will work in partnership to strategically lead the delivery of clinical services within the Division of Maternity and Women’s Health across the District, providing direction for the clinical services ensuring the delivery of agreed outcomes within the Strategic Delivery Plan. The Co-Director will provide strategic advice to the Board and Executive for all services within the Division. The Co-Director will foster a multidisciplinary approach to care with a focus on the total patient experience while ensuring service delivery is based on best practice, adapted to local needs and of a high standard.
This position will:
- Provide clinical leadership and is responsible for ensuring clinical policies and guidelines within the Division are up to date and aligned with best practice.
- Develop strategies to minimise clinical risk and ensure quality and safety protocols are maintained across the District for services within the Division.
- Develop and monitor the implementation and delivery of clinical services plans, models of care and workforce plans for services within the Division.
- Monitor finance & other KPIs, developing strategies to address performance gaps.
- Undertake workforce planning, and in conjunction with operational managers, embed responsive and effective workforce management that enhances recruitment and retention, professional development and succession planning.
- Ensure consultation occurs with other Divisions, Services and the GMs when considering new services or strategies.
- Develop and support research within the Division with a focus on developing and managing relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
- Model the CORE values of Collaboration, Openness, Respect and Empowerment, demonstrating behaviour consistent with the Code of Conduct and working within prescribed boundaries, including policies, standards, procedures & legislative requirements.
Clinical Leadership
- Develop processes to ensure care delivery is safe, timely, appropriate, effective & efficient & undertaken in accordance with professional standards & supported by best available evidence.
- Engage & collaborate with stakeholders to develop joint solutions, fostering a culture of achievement, accountability and quality outcomes.
- Jointly develop evidence-based clinical policies, procedures and guidelines to enhance the coordination of care & monitor compliance.
- Provide clinical mentorship & professional advice
- Manage complex communications that involve understanding & responding to multiple & divergent views.
- Maintain a visible presence across the District seeking opportunities to meet with patients, carers, colleagues & volunteers to gauge wellbeing and standards of care.
Clinical Risk, Quality & Research
- Provide clinical leadership and direction to minimise the incidence of hospital acquired complications.
- Ensure processes are in place to identify, respond & mitigate potential/actual clinical risks ensuring accountability for professional practice and patient safety
- Jointly lead the Divisions quality standards, chairing &/or participating in District committees, ensuring clinical review activities are undertaken as part of quality improvement programs.
- Comply with incident reporting & management, in accordance with NSW Health and District policies including the follow-up of actions & outcomes.
- Provide expert advice regarding new clinical procedures/privileges in collaboration with professions leads.
- Develop effective relationships with relevant bodies (Universities and other teaching hospitals) promoting continued excellence in clinical care, teaching and research.
Clinical service planning
- Develop Clinical Service Plans (CSP) in consultation with Heads of Department/Services, Professional Leads & the Planning Team with consideration to the changing population, technology and health needs.
- Develop annual plans that implement agreed outcomes against the ISLHD Strategic Delivery Plan & monitor the results.
- Ensure appropriate consultation with other Divisions/Services, GM's, DMS’s and Finance when planning new or enhanced services.
- Jointly develop and implement plans that improve the health outcomes for Aboriginal &Torres Strait Islanders
- Engage consumer groups to enhance the co-design of services across ISLHD.
Workforce planning & development
- Develop Workforce Plans in consultation with Professional Leads, workforce and other key stakeholders.
- In consultation with GMs and other key stakeholders ensure appropriate cover and mix of medical, nursing and allied health staff across facilities.
- Provide expert clinical advice regarding workforce planning, workforce development, clinical education, and training.
Finance and Performance
- Monitor finance & other KPIs, developing strategies to address performance gaps, reporting results at District meetings and/or other forums as required.
- Identify opportunities for savings and efficiencies that support a valued based approach to services.
- Explore a range of possibilities and creative alternatives that contribute to system, process & service improvements.
Teamwork
- Create a culture of safety, kindness and continuous improvement by setting the standard for team behaviours.
- Establish systems to ensure all staff are able to identify direct connections between their efforts & organisational outcomes.
- Coach the team to improve performance and/or behaviours that support improving the effectiveness of safety systems and practices.
- Identify, recognise & celebrate success.
- Model work behaviours consistent with the CORE values
Relevant tertiary qualification or working towards same and/or substantial recent experience at a senior management level
- 1.1Current practising registration with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and a current Class C NSW Health driver’s licence.
- 2.Relevant tertiary qualification or working towards same and/or substantial recent experience at a senior management level.
- 3.Demonstrated leadership skills and the ability to motivate inspire and organise staff to achieve organisational, program and professional outcomes.
- 4.Demonstrated experience in the application of change management principles and achievement of measurable outcomes.
- 5.Demonstrated ability to identify and analyse clinical needs and to recommend and evaluate innovative business plans and organisational strategies in response to those needs. This includes the implementation of innovative and effective models of clinical practice.
- 6.Proven effective negotiation and communication skills (written and verbal) with a wide range of stakeholders including patients, public, and Ministry of Health and government representatives.
- 7.A comprehensive knowledge of and commitment to health system safety, quality, risk management, improvement systems, research and professional development.
This role will report directly into the Executive Director Clinical Operations.
- Annual Budget: $
- Direct Reports:
- Financial delegations: $
The total remuneration package of $463,000 inclusive of:
- Base Salary (including sick leave, annual leave + loading) - $258,556
- Allowances (including managerial) - $167,442
- Super - $37,359
- TESL - $39,600 (based on 24/25 agreement between NSW Health & ASMOF)
- 1.Development of collaborative partnerships across the District to ensure optimal service delivery
- 2.Creating a positive environment for our clinical workforce from attracting and retaining specialists and senior staff to supporting the development of junior staff
- 3.Balancing the development of services, including the changes driven by the Shoalhaven redevelopment and new Shellharbour Hospital, while maintaining financial sustainability
Service Location: Wollongong & Shoalhaven
The closing date for applications is Friday, 26th September 2025
The reference number to include in your application is H25_5249
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.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:
Rhodie Miller
HardyGroup Principal Consultant
M. +61 (0)422 816 557
E. rmiller@hardygroupintl.com
LIVING IN THE AREA
The Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District is nestled between the mountains and the sea on the stunning New South Wales South Coast.
Many of our hospitals and community health facilities are within an hour and a half’s drive of Sydney, giving our employees access to city life in a semi-rural setting.
And the benefits don’t end there.
Commute times are short; childcare, housing and entertainment options are plentiful and affordable; and when you’re not at work, you can relax on some of the country’s best beaches, explore the stunning natural surroundings or enjoy the local dining and adventure scene.
Visit the following websites to learn more about the areas that make up the Illawarra and Shoalhaven:
Local Councils:
Things to see and do:
ABOUT US
HardyGroup’s (HG) mission is simple
Find and Grow Great Leaders - and we have been doing exactly that for more than 30 years in public and private health, primary, community and aged care as well as the broader public service.
Our synergistic business model of Executive Search and Recruitment integrated with Executive Leadership and Learning is our unique point of difference.
It ensures our clients can count on us for the lifecycle of their organisations leadership journey and why we are regarded as the leading trans-Tasman partner agency by clients.
When engaging HG you can be confident in a deeply personalised experience and service as nothing matters more to us than relationships and results.