The organisation
Hospitals South, part of the Tasmanian Health Service, delivers acute, sub-acute and community health services to the state’s southern region. The Royal Hobart Hospital is Tasmania’s principal referral and teaching hospital, providing a full range of tertiary services. As the largest and most complex health service in the state, Hospitals South plays a central role in delivering care for the Tasmanian community, advancing models of practice and ensuring the highest standards of clinical governance.
The Department of Health is committed to improving health and wellbeing through a sustainable, safe and high-quality health system. Its values include leading with purpose, acting with integrity, and fostering innovation, collaboration and inclusivity.
 
The opportunity
Reporting to the Chief Executive Hospitals South, the Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery is the most senior professional leader for nurses and midwives across the service. The position is accountable for professional and clinical governance, workforce strategy, and the advancement of contemporary nursing and midwifery practice.
As a key member of the executive team, the Executive Director provides leadership, vision and strategic advice to ensure the workforce delivers safe, research-based care at the highest level. The role oversees professional standards, clinical governance and credentialing to ensure compliance with legislation, accreditation and national standards. It also carries responsibility for leading the development and implementation of nursing and midwifery strategic plans aligned with organisational and statewide priorities.
The position requires leadership across workforce planning, recruitment, retention, education, research and succession planning to maintain a sustainable and capable workforce. It works in close partnership with the Executive Directors of Medical Services and Allied Health to ensure consistency and integration across the clinical workforce, and engages constructively with unions and professional associations to provide leadership on professional and industrial matters. The role also strengthens quality and safety systems, supports service improvement initiatives, and fosters a culture of reflective practice and continuous improvement.
The Executive Director represents Hospitals South at regional, statewide and national forums, contributing to the advancement of nursing and midwifery and raising the profile of the professions across Tasmania.
 
About you
You are a senior nursing or midwifery leader with a strong track record in operational management within large and complex hospital environments. You bring:
 

• Proven expertise in workforce planning, rostering, ratios and clinical operations.
• Financial acumen and demonstrated experience managing budgets and driving efficiency.
• Strength in patient flow, access and demand management, including integrated operations or bed management.
• The ability to influence without direct authority, engaging effectively with clinical leaders and staff.
• A collaborative, pragmatic leadership style with resilience and adaptability in complex, resource-constrained settings.