The Office of the Chief Nurse Officer within the Department of Health is responsible for the delivery of state-wide support and coordination functions to assist the Hospital and Health services with nursing matters that have whole-of-systems implications. The Office is the authority for Government and the Director-General on nursing and provides professional leadership for Queensland nurses. This includes determining the appropriate professional representation to a number of clinical networks and providing strategic advice and guidance to support the delivery of state-wide health priorities.

The Chief Nurse Officer is responsible for the provision of expert professional, authoritative and strategic advice to Government, the Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, the Director-General, and the Deputy Director-General Health Workforce Division, on state-wide, national and international issues impacting on Queensland, the nursing workforce, nursing models of care, and drive reform for contemporary nursing practice. The position also has a key role in leading and supporting the delivery of state-wide health priorities relating to nursing services and undertakes high-level monitoring of key performance indicators relating to service delivery and reform.

In delivering government commitment and public expectations, the role is required to progress the broad interests and values of the profession and establish strong collaborative relationships within the Department of Health and with Health Service Chief Executives, the Chief Midwife Officer, Executive Directors of Nursing and Midwifery, and professional nursing networks. The Department of Health (the Department) has a diverse set of responsibilities, and a common purpose of providing highly effective health system leadership. The Department is responsible for the overall strategic leadership and direction of the public health system in Queensland. We strongly believe in the need to work with people that value the goals of our organisation and who will thrive in our workplace.

Your key responsibilities

• Adhere to defined service quality standards, health and safety policies and procedures relating to the work being undertaken to ensure high quality, safe services and workplaces.
• Fulfil the responsibilities of the role in accordance with the Queensland Public Service values outlined above.
• Provide leadership and authoritative advice on nursing issues, patient advocacy and standards of care by remaining abreast of current nursing practice and professional issues state-wide, nationally and internationally. The role is the central reference point for the nursing profession across the state and provides advice on creating and maintaining an appropriately resourced, qualified and competent nursing workforce and models of nursing care to meet the health service delivery needs of Queensland.
• Lead initiatives that ensure Queensland Health has an adequate nursing workforce in terms of numbers, quality and capacity to meet policy and service delivery needs.
• Lead strategic, state-wide nursing initiatives that build capacity through innovation and inform operational policies and practices at a service level. This is to occur in collaboration with the Hospital and Health Services.
• Monitor and measure the impact of workforce reforms and other strategic nursing service initiatives to guide future action and decisions.
• Build and maintain relationships with key industry groups, academic institutions, professional and industrial associations and other internal and external groups to achieve a collaborative, coordinated and professional approach to the nursing workforce. The role is the professional link between the Department of Health and the public, private and education sectors of the nursing professions in Queensland.
• Work with the other clinical professional leads in relation to the role and value of nursing in the clinical services continuum from the perspective of the System Manager and drive continuous improvement in patient-centred care through the development and implementation of international best practice models of care that align with the strategic intent of the system.
• Represent Queensland Health on whole of government and national committees and forums.
• Develop and manage links with academic institutions to foster research opportunities and evidence-based practice.
• Actively contribute to the executive leadership of the Health Workforce Division, and model collaborative team behaviours.
• Lead and be accountable for the efficient and effective operations of the Office of the Chief Nurse Officer.

Qualifications

• This position requires proof of qualification and registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) as a Nurse appearing on the Ahpra register of practitioners. Certified copies of the required information must be provided as part of the recruitment process for the successful applicant and will be verified by the appropriate supervisor/manager prior to the commencement of duties.
• Possession of post graduate qualifications public sector management or other related disciplines would be highly regarded.

Essential requirements

• Knowledge of the role of the Department of Health as the System Manager in the broader context of the health system.
• Demonstrated understanding of the professional obligations and practices along with the ability to provide contemporary leadership to the state-wide nursing workforce. This includes the ability to engage the workforce in the development, implementation, monitoring and review of policy which affects the nursing professions in a complex, dynamic and sensitive environment.
• Ability to provide authoritative advice to Government, the Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, Director-General, Deputy Director-General and senior Hospital and Health Service Executives on emerging nursing issues at the local, state, national and international levels.
• Well-developed analytical skills to evaluate clinical evidence and international best practice to conceptualise opportunities to modernise practices and services in the context of the Queensland health system.

Behavioural Competencies Required

We are all leaders in the Department of Health, regardless of role or classification level. The department is committed to leadership at all levels of our organisation, and in this role you will be required to display the following leadership behaviours:

• Leads change in complex environments – Embraces change and leads with focus and optimism in an environment of complexity and ambiguity.
• Drives accountability and outcomes – Demonstrates accountability for the execution and quality of results through professionalism, persistence and transparency.
• Leads strategically – Thinks critically and acts on the broader purpose of the system.
• Stimulates ideas and innovation – Gathers insights and embraces new ideas and innovation to inform future practice.

1. Strategic Nursing Leadership

Demonstrates the ability to provide authoritative, contemporary, state-wide leadership across the nursing profession, including shaping models of care, guiding professional standards, and influencing whole‑of‑system nursing policy and reform. Leads confidently in complex environments and aligns workforce strategy with state, national and international trends.

2. Expert Advisory Capability

Proven ability to deliver expert, evidence-informed, high‑level advice to Government, the Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, the Director‑General and senior health executives on emerging nursing issues, regulatory settings, and workforce sustainability. Demonstrates strong analytical skills to interpret clinical evidence and international best practice to inform policy, service improvements and strategic decision‑making.

3. Workforce Planning, Reform and Innovation

Demonstrated experience leading large-scale workforce initiatives, reforms and capability-building strategies to ensure a high-quality, adequately resourced nursing workforce. Able to monitor, measure and evaluate workforce impacts, and lead innovations that advance contemporary practice, drive performance, and address rural, remote, and priority community needs.

4. Stakeholder, Partnership and System Leadership

Highly developed ability to build and sustain collaborative relationships across Hospital and Health Services, academic institutions, professional associations, industry partners, and national bodies. Demonstrated success representing a health system on state or national committees, influencing cross-sector partnerships, and navigating sensitive or complex stakeholder environments.

5. Executive Leadership and Organisational Performance

Demonstrated capability to lead a high-performing executive unit, including strategic planning, governance, resource management, culture-building and team leadership. Able to contribute effectively to divisional executive leadership, drive accountability, model collaborative behaviours and lead organisational change with clarity and purpose.

6. Professional Standards, Compliance and Clinical Governance

Deep understanding of the statutory, regulatory and ethical obligations of the nursing profession, including contemporary nursing practice standards, accreditation, and regulatory frameworks. Demonstrated ability to uphold and model the values of the Queensland Public Service, ensuring safe, high-quality services and adherence to professional and organisational governance requirements.

Branch & Division:

Office of the Chief Nurse Officer

Health Workforce Division

Reporting:

• The position reports to the Deputy Director-General, Health Workforce Division.
• The position oversights and supports the nursing program for the Queensland Health nursing workforce.
• The position has seven direct reports and oversees a staff establishment of 19 full-time equivalent employees. At times additional temporary employees are engaged for specific initiatives.

Salary Classification: HES 3(L)

Please discuss with your HardyGroup consultant.

Location: Brisbane

Classification: HES 3(L)

Travel: Travel across Queensland and interstate may be required as part of this position.

Employment Conditions: It is a condition of employment for this role for the employee to be, and remain, vaccinated against the following vaccine preventable diseases during their employment (Health Employment Directive No. 01/16):

• measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
• varicella (chicken pox)
• pertussis (whooping cough)
• hepatitis B
• tuberculosis

Role Description

Queensland Health Organisational Chart

Department of Health Strategic Plan 2025 - 2029

Annual Reports

The reference number to include in your application is H26_5356

Note: Please use the online HardyGroup 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: sprebble@hardygroupintl.com | +61 (0) 430 219 787

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:

Ms Sarah Buckler PSM
​​HG Queensland State Manager

M. +61 (0)429 486 740

E. sbuckler@hardygroupintl.com