Clinical Director - Women's, Children's and Families
Barwon Health
CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK
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We, Barwon Health, acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land, the Wadawurrung people of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We thank the Traditional Owners for custodianship of the land and celebrate the continuing culture of the Wadawurrung people, acknowledging the memory of honourable ancestors.
Executive Summary
- Lead one of Australia’s largest and most comprehensive regional Women’s, Children’s and Families services, serving a population of more than 370,000 people.
- Play a pivotal leadership role in the clinical commissioning and integration of the new Barwon Women’s and Children’s facility, shaping the future of care across the region.
- Partner with an experienced executive team to drive clinical excellence, innovation, quality, safety and service performance across a diverse and complex healthcare environment.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Barwon Health is seeking an outstanding clinical leader to join its executive leadership team as Clinical Director, Women’s, Children’s and Families. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and working in partnership with the Co-Director, this influential role provides the opportunity to lead a large and strategically important directorate delivering women’s, paediatric, neonatal and family-focused services across acute, community and specialist care settings.
This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the future direction of healthcare in one of Australia’s fastest-growing regions. The successful candidate will play a key role in the commissioning of the new Barwon Women’s and Children’s facility, ensuring the successful integration of expanded services and new models of care that will enhance access, quality and outcomes for patients and families across the Barwon South West region.
THE ROLE
The Clinical Director will provide strategic, clinical and operational leadership across the Women’s, Children’s and Families Directorate, ensuring the delivery of safe, effective and patient-centred services. The role is responsible for service planning, budget management, workforce leadership, clinical governance, quality and safety performance, and achieving organisational objectives.
Leading in partnership with Heads of Unit and multidisciplinary teams, the Clinical Director will foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation and continuous improvement. The position will oversee service redesign, workforce development, risk management and operational performance while supporting research, education and clinical excellence across the Directorate.
The role requires extensive engagement with clinicians, executives, government stakeholders, community partners and external health providers, providing visible leadership and influencing system-wide outcomes.
THE CANDIDATE
The successful candidate will be a fellowship-qualified medical specialist with substantial senior leadership experience within a complex tertiary healthcare environment. They will bring deep expertise in women’s, paediatric, neonatal and/or family health services, alongside a strong understanding of contemporary healthcare delivery, clinical governance and public health systems.
An accomplished people leader, they will have demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary teams, driving organisational performance, managing significant operational budgets and delivering strategic change. Candidates will possess highly developed stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships, influence diverse groups and unite teams around a shared vision.
Most importantly, they will be a values-driven leader with a commitment to clinical excellence, innovation, patient-centred care and fostering a positive, inclusive and high-performing culture.
For a confidential discussion about the position, please contact:
Emma Hay
Principal Search Consultant
HardyGroup
BARWON HEALTH
About Barwon Health
Barwon Health is one of the largest and most comprehensive regional health services in Australia, providing care at all stages of life and circumstance. Services available through Barwon Health cover the full spectrum from primary care, community services, aged care, rehabilitation, mental health, emergency and acute care. We serve more than 500,000 people through the efforts of more than 9000 staff and volunteers across more than 20 sites. Barwon Health is committed to developing a vibrant culture of education, training and research that advances health and wellbeing for all.
Formed in 1998, Barwon Health is one of the largest and most comprehensive regional health services in Australia, providing care at all stages of life and circumstance. Health services available through Barwon Health cover the full spectrum from primary care, community services, aged care, rehabilitation, mental health, emergency and acute care. With the exception of neurosurgery and transplantation, virtually all other specialties are available through University Hospital Geelong.
Barwon Health provides services for everyone who needs care, regardless of their financial status or the location of their usual residence. As a regional health service, we provide leadership and tertiary referral services across the Barwon South West region. Our local community is the G21 region which comprises the residents of the City of Greater Geelong, Colac Otway Shire, Golden Plains Shire, Borough of Queenscliffe and Surf Coast Shire.
Care is provided to the community through:
- Community health services at key locations throughout the region.
- Aged care through the McKellar Centre and its sites in North Geelong and Charlemont.
- Rehabilitation services both as an inpatient at the McKellar Centre and outpatient services at North Geelong and Belmont.
- A major teaching hospital and its associated services.
- With more than 8,700 staff, we are one of Australia’s largest regional employers and a major education provider through our relationships with Deakin University, University of Melbourne, Monash University, the Gordon and a number of other educational centres and universities.
Vision, mission and values
Vision:
By 2050, everyone in our community enjoys the best health and wellbeing in Victoria.
Mission:
Provide best care, every person, every day, so that everyone feels better.
Values:
Respect – We respect the people we connect with.
Compassion – We show compassion for the people we care for and work with.
Commitment – We are committed to quality and excellence in everything we do.
Accountability – We take accountability for what we do and act with integrity.
Innovation – We drive innovation for better care.
Barwon Health Statement of Commitment to Child Safety
- Barwon Health is committed to the health, safety, wellbeing and empowerment of all children and young people and has zero tolerance for child abuse.
- We are committed to providing a child-safe environment where the health of children and young people is promoted and where they are safe, feel safe, are encouraged to communicate their concerns, and their voices are heard about decisions that affect their health and lives.
- We are committed to preventing child abuse and have processes in place to identify and respond to child abuse and to actively reduce risks.
- We are committed to providing training and education materials and resources to support and maintain the currency of the knowledge of our workforce.
- We value the role of families and carers in the lives of children and young people and have processes in place to involve them in decision-making and to support communications with them.
- Allegations of abuse and neglect and safety concerns will be treated seriously and consistently with our policies and procedures and legal obligations.
Families and Carers Rights and Responsibilities
The Carers Recognition Act 2012 acknowledges the important role of carers and introduced the principle that, where appropriate, carers should be involved in the assessment, planning, delivery and review of services that affect them and the care relationship.
Families and carers are important contributors to the care and wellbeing of our consumers and their ongoing recovery. Every effort is made to support the role of families and carers and to encourage and promote their involvement in all elements of our service delivery.
Barwon Health works in partnership with families and carers to bring about the best possible healthcare outcomes for consumers.
We provide health promotion programs that aim to improve the health and well-being of the population and address priorities in the Victorian public health and wellbeing plan 2023–27.
Role Specification
Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, the Clinical Director - Women’s, Children’s and Families is responsible to the Barwon Health Executive for delivering strategic clinical and operational leadership, ensuring the integration of services across Barwon Health, and achieving key performance and strategic objectives.
Working in partnership with the Co-Director of Women’s, Children’s and Families, this role encompasses line management responsibilities, budget oversight, risk management, and ensuring compliance with quality and safety standards. The service provides an array of care services to a diverse catchment population of more than 370,000 people living in inner urban, regional and rural settings. The directorate provides services across a number of localities, including delivery across the acute site, sub-acute facilities, community health teams, and various specialist services.
The Clinical Director - Women’s, Children’s and Families works closely with the relevant Heads of Unit to provide high-quality care through strong leadership, effective governance, risk management and a commitment to continuous quality improvement and innovation.
This role will also play a critical role in the clinical commissioning of the new Barwon Women’s and Children’s project. The project includes new operating theatres and expanded paediatric and postnatal inpatient units, birthing suites, neonatal and parent care unit (expanding the role and function of the existing special care nursery), maternity assessment unit and women’s and paediatric specialist clinics. This will be integrated into Barwon Health’s existing services to provide local access for Geelong and the Barwon South West region.
- Provide strategic leadership in the development and implementation of annual service plans whilst also significantly contributing to Barwon Health’s strategic planning, consistent with the Strategic Plan and objectives
- Lead the integration of Women’s, Children’s and Families clinical services aligned with Barwon Health’s strategic goals.
- Foster a positive culture and an environment of innovation, excellence, and continual service improvement.
- Lead, mentor, and manage the Women’s, Children’s and Families clinical team's performance.
- Ensure that professional development and training requirements, including accreditation of specialty College training positions, are maintained.
- In partnership with the Heads of Unit ensure timely and effective workforce management, including rostering, leave planning and performance management.
- Provide governance oversight and support of quality and safety activities, guideline development, service redesign and model of care development, ensuring that appropriate clinical governance structures are in place for the Directorate.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including staff, community groups, and educational institutions.
- Provide clinical leadership to ensure the directorate delivers high-quality, efficient, and sustainable operational performance.
- Ensure compliance with relevant accreditation standards and legislation including but not limited to the OHS Act, Safe Patient Care Act 2016, Relevant Enterprise Agreements and Child Safe Standards.
- Support and drive clinical research and education within the Directorate.
- Work with the, Co-Director and Business Partners (Finance and People and Culture) to achieve strategic priorities.
- Provide governance within the Directorate and manage staff operational issues with the relevant head of unit or manager
- Provide daily operational leadership of the Directorate, including the operational performance, the implementation and management of service plans, care delivery, quality leadership within the Directorate, education and training, safety and quality, human resources, promoting clinical standards and governance, patient flow and for achieving the Directorate KPI’s, and managing the Directorate budget within the delegations of authority
- Developing policies and practices in consultation with senior managers and clinicians that provide direction in the management of the Women’s Children’s and Families Directorate and the development of inter-disciplinary clinical teams
- Continually evaluating the Women’s Children’s and Families services provided, including quality and safety performance to monitor standards of care and determine whether service priorities are being addressed
- Ensure a focus on the patient/consumer is at the core of all services provided
- Ensure effective stakeholder relationships both within and external to Barwon Health by initiating, developing and maintaining appropriate working relationships with staff and key stakeholders, including the community in the provision and planning of services.
- Initiate and/or oversee innovations, systemic change processes and co-ordination of responses and meet health service needs.
- Ensure systems are in place to respond to all incidents in accordance with Barwon Health policy and procedure, consistent with the requirements of the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards.
- Proactively manage risks, and incidents by monitoring recommendations and analysis of trends of all incidents/applicable data.
- Ensure work is carried out in accordance with the Barwon Health Policies and Procedures and Victorian Public Service Commission and Barwon Health Codes of Conduct.
Other Duties
- Exhibits a commitment the Barwon Health’s values including team based above and below the line behaviours.
- Undertake special projects or reports as required by the Chief Operating Officer on a wide range of issues.
- Report all incidents through the incident management system.
- Practice in accordance with the relevant health care or industry standards.
- Demonstrate an understanding of appropriate behaviours when engaging with children.
- Complete mandatory training and education.
- Comply with relevant Barwon Health policies and procedures.
- Participate in quality improvement activities.
- Perform all other duties as directed within the limits of skill, competence and training to maximise flexibility and effectiveness
Desirable
- Knowledge and understanding of the various professional groups operating across the system.
- Knowledge of the Australian health system and emerging directions within health nationally and internationally
- Knowledge of improvement and efficiency methodologies such as lean thinking, productive ward and clinical improvement program.Higher qualifications in health service management or related field
- Medical and Clinical Leadership Credentials
Fellowship-qualified medical practitioner (RACP Paediatric Division, RANZCOG, or equivalent) with significant senior clinical leadership experience in complex tertiary healthcare environments, demonstrating credibility and influence across multidisciplinary clinical teams. - Strategic and Operational Health Service Leadership
Demonstrated experience leading large-scale clinical services, developing and implementing strategic and operational plans, and delivering agreed performance outcomes within complex health systems. Ability to align service priorities with organisational strategy and future healthcare needs. - Women’s, Children’s and Family Health Expertise
Extensive knowledge and experience in the delivery of women’s, paediatric, neonatal and antenatal health services, with an understanding of contemporary public health challenges, service models and emerging trends within the Australian healthcare system. - Clinical Governance, Quality and Safety Leadership
Proven ability to lead clinical governance frameworks, risk management activities, quality improvement initiatives and accreditation processes, ensuring safe, effective and patient-centred care that meets relevant regulatory and professional standards. - People Leadership and Workforce Management
Demonstrated success leading, mentoring and developing multidisciplinary teams, fostering a positive and inclusive workplace culture, managing performance, workforce planning and professional development, and driving accountability and engagement across diverse clinical groups. - Financial and Resource Management
Proven capability to manage significant operational budgets and resources, balancing clinical priorities with financial sustainability while achieving service, workforce and organisational objectives. - Stakeholder Engagement and Collaborative Leadership
Exceptional relationship-building and communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively with executives, clinicians, government agencies, community stakeholders, educational institutions and external partners to advance service outcomes. - Change Management, Innovation and Service Development
Demonstrated ability to lead complex change initiatives, service redesign and innovation, including the planning, commissioning and integration of new healthcare services and models of care, while maintaining high standards of clinical performance and consumer experience.
Reports to: Chief Operating Officer
Direct Reports: 6
Internal
- Co-Director, Women’s, Children’s and Families
- Chief Operating Officer
- Clinical Directors, Co-Directors and other Health Service Leaders
- Chief Executive
- Chief Medical Officer
- Safety and Quality
- Managers and staff within Directorate
- Barwon Health Executive Team
- Finance Department including Analyst and Finance Business Partner
- People and Culture Directorate – including People and Culture Business Partner
- Other Barwon Health Directorate’s
External
- Department of Health
- Consumers - Patients/ Family members
- Consultative Council on Obstetric and Paediatric Mortality and Morbidity (CCOPMM) and Safer Care Victoria
- Barwon Health Foundation
- Other Health Services and relevant external providers
Please contact HG Principal Consultant.
Classification: Commensurate with experience
Unit/Department: Women’s, Children's and Families
Division: Chief Operating Officer
Location: Geelong, Victoria
Additional Requirements
- Obtain a police/criminal history check prior to employment
- Obtain a Working with Children Check prior to employment (if requested)
- Prior to commencement with Barwon Health, all new employees are required to provide a completed Barwon Health Immunity Status form and have Staff Care clearance
- Report to management any criminal charges or convictions you receive during your employment
- Protect confidential information from unauthorised disclosure and not use, disclose or copy confidential information except for the purpose of and to the extent necessary to perform your employment duties at Barwon Health
- Adherence with requirement of National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards and other relevant regulatory requirements including the Child Safe Standards
The closing date for applications is Sunday, 1st November 2026.
The reference number to include in your application is H26_5591.
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, Aldie Zuñiga: M: +61 (0)494 101 082 / E: azuniga@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:
Emma Hay
HG Principal Search Consultant
M. +61 (0)411 894 540
E. ehay@hardygroupintl.com
LIVING AND WORKING IN
GEELONG, VICTORIA
A place for everyone, Geelong offers a relaxed lifestyle close to beaches and the countryside, yet is only an hour away from Melbourne. As one of Australia’s largest urban centres, Geelong has a big city feel without the commotion, and combines a beautiful coastal location with a friendly multicultural community. With excellent events and festivals, accessible public transport, quality educational precincts, and a vast array of sport and leisure activities, Geelong provides the perfect environment for individuals and families to achieve enhanced work-life balance.
With a low commute time, affordable house prices and a booming infrastructure, Geelong is a city difficult to compete with. The region is bounded by the Moorabool Shire, the Borough of Queenscliffe, Golden Plains Shire and Surf Coast Shire and Bass Strait.
At Geelong's core sits Barwon Health, the state's largest regional health service with 23 sites.
The City of Greater Geelong covers 1245km2 with a contrast of landscapes including urban, country and coastal. Only 75 kilometres outside Melbourne CBD, Geelong has become a popular tourist destination. Elements of the region includes a bustling city centre framed by water which includes the multi-award winning waterfront, the Bellarine Peninsula, the Barwon River that runs through the region and it is also the gateway to the world-renowned Great Ocean Road.
Geelong is Victoria’s second largest city after Melbourne with a population of over 245,000 people and a forecast that shows it will grow a further 150,000 people within the next 20 years. The local government has placed a great emphasis on innovation, employment and economic growth in the Geelong region. The city has a broad industry of 17,000 businesses and a labour force of 110,632 (2016 Census estimate). The sector includes health and allied services, education and research, advanced manufacturing, tourism, agribusiness, construction and professional services.
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.