District Director Nursing and Midwifery

Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD) is entering an exciting new phase of leadership following the appointment of Jill Wong as Chief Executive. The District is undertaking an executive redesign shaped by the direction, vision and values of NSW Health, creating contemporary and agile leadership that is fit for the future. This is an opportunity to be part of a progressive Executive Leadership Team that is collaborative, innovative and aligned with the Future Health agenda.

The Opportunity
The District Director, Nursing and Midwifery Services is a pivotal executive role reporting directly to the Chief Executive. As professional lead for the District's largest combined workforce, you will set the strategic direction for nursing and midwifery, strengthen professional standards, and ensure safe, high-quality and person-centred care across the continuum of health services. The role provides the platform to drive workforce reform, enable nurses and midwives to work to the top of their scope, and embed new approaches that improve care delivery, effectiveness and efficiency and have positive health outcomes.

Working closely with your executive peers, including the District Directors for Clinical Acute Services and Clinical Service Delivery, you will drive integration across the patient journey, ensuring services are contemporary, sustainable and responsive to community needs. The role also offers a rare opportunity to build and shape teams as part of the District's transformation, leaving a lasting legacy on workforce capability and service innovation.

The Organisation
MNCLHD delivers hospital, community and preventative health services across a diverse region from Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour. With a $949 million budget, a growing population of over 230,000 and significant Aboriginal and culturally diverse communities, the District plays a central role in ensuring equity and improving health outcomes for rural and regional populations.

The District has a strong reputation for innovation, with a track record of introducing new models of care and embracing progressive approaches to service delivery. With a collaborative new leadership team and a commitment to the NSW Health values of Collaboration, Openness, Respect and Empowerment, MNCLHD is well-placed to continue its journey of transformation and deliver on its vision of a healthy, well and thriving Mid North Coast.

About You
You are an agile and contemporary leader who brings kindness, empathy and inclusiveness to your leadership style. You listen actively, show gratitude, and foster a culture where people feel recognised and empowered. You are committed to building trust - with staff, communities and partners - through engagement, accessibility and authenticity. As a trusted advisor to the Chief Executive, you will work as part of a progressive, co-leadership Executive Team that values collaboration and respect.

You combine deep expertise in nursing and midwifery with the resilience, vision and integrity to lead transformation at scale. You are motivated by the opportunity to support and develop the District's workforce, translate system priorities into local outcomes, and make a real difference to patients and communities.

You will bring:

• Significant executive experience in nursing and/or midwifery leadership across complex health systems
• A strong record of workforce strategy, reform and cultural transformation
• Proven ability to lead large-scale change with integrity and accountability
• Deep understanding of fiscal and industrial settings, with the ability to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in workforce deployment
• High-level communication and engagement skills, with the ability to foster collaboration, build trust and influence across diverse stakeholders
• Current registration as a Registered Nurse or Registered Midwife with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)

How to apply
For a confidential discussion or role related questions, please contact Jess Gough or Jess Lewy of The Orchard Talent Group on To apply please submit your current CV, a 1-2 page cover letter and your responses to the below questions via email to

1. Describe how you have led large, diverse nursing and midwifery teams to deliver safe, high-quality, and person-centred care across hospital and community settings, while fostering a culture of professional excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
2. What is your vision for the future of nursing and midwifery in a regional health district, and how would you strengthen the workforce to meet emerging models of care, health system reforms, and community expectations, across the continuum of care whilst ensuring equity and sustainability?

Please note applicants must have a legal right to work in Australia.

Applications close Sunday 26 October 2025.
The Orchard Talent Group acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work. We pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging, for they hold the memories, traditions, culture and hopes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.