Department Manager, Department of Rural Health

**Job no**: 0037753
**Location**:Shepparton
**Role type**:Full-time; Continuing
**Department**:Rural Health
**Salary**:An attractive remuneration package to be negotiated; plus 17% super pa
- Lead and manage a large professional team to facilitate effective education and research programs aligned with the strategic goals of both the Department and the University
- A unique opportunity to drive transformative rural health outcomes by working closely with healthcare partners, fostering strategic engagement that directly impacts rural communities across Victoria
- Excellent benefits and flexible work environment

**About the Role**

As the Department Manager for the Department of Rural Health (DRH), you will take on a critical leadership role. You will oversee the operational performance across education, research, financial management, and business services. Working closely with the Head of Department and School Manager, you will ensure efficient use of resources, the continuous development of systems, and alignment with the department's strategic goals. Key to this role is your ability to build and maintain strong relationships with health services and partner organisations. You will also help cultivate a positive and productive work culture. This position requires you to reside near one of DRH’s key sites in Shepparton, Ballarat, or Wangaratta, spending a minimum of two days per week at the DRH’s Shepparton site.

Your responsibilities will include:

- As a key member of the senior leadership team, you will provide strategic advice and support to the Heads of Department and the Executive team across a wide range of business-related areas.
- You will act as the lead for business development, planning, financial management, and strategic frameworks, ensure compliance with government reporting requirements and work closely with the Head of Department to ensure collaborative and transparent planning. It is essential that School, Faculty, and University priorities are understood and integrated into the department’s planning processes.
- Ensure effective human resource management, offering high-level advice on HR matters such as workforce planning, performance management, recruitment strategies, and personnel management to the Heads of Department, Executive team, and supervisors.
- Effectively motivate, coach, and manage professional staff, setting a clear vision, performance expectations, and professional development opportunities to create an engaged and high-performance team.

**Who We Are Looking For**

You will also have:

- A relevant postgraduate qualification in a related discipline, alongside extensive experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Proven leadership experience within large, complex organisations, ideally in higher education, research, or health-related sectors.
- Strong financial acumen with demonstrated experience managing large, complex budgets with a history of ethical decision-making.
- Exceptional problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to address complex HR and operational issues quickly and effectively.
- Demonstrated experience in strategic and operational business planning, including risk management, business continuity, and occupational health and safety frameworks.

For further information regarding responsibilities and requirements, please refer to the attached PD.

**Please note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position**. This role requires current valid work rights for Australia.

**Your New Team - Department of Rural Health**

The Department of Rural Health, part of the prestigious Melbourne Medical School at the University of Melbourne, has been making a significant impact on rural healthcare for more than 20 years. With locations in Shepparton, Ballarat, and Wangaratta, as well as associations with over 40 rural towns in Victoria, we are dedicated to providing professional health education and research training in a rural context. Our mission is to grow and develop the rural health workforce. We achieve this through strong partnerships with the local community and healthcare providers, ensuring our programs remain relevant and connected.

**What We Offer You**
In addition, we offer the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community and enjoy a range of benefits, including generous leave provisions, salary packaging, health and well-being services and discounts on graduate courses. For more information, check out our benefits page.

**About the University of Melbourne**
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