Program Manager

• Location: Sunshine Hospital 
• Employment Type: Full-Time, Ongoing
• Salary: Grade 4 Unit Manager + Superannuation + Salary Packaging

About the role:

Western Health is seeking an experienced and innovative Program Manager to lead the new Western Health Mental Health at Home (WHMH at Home) service — a pioneering model delivering acute mental health treatment safely and effectively in the home.

Operating 24/7 and providing the equivalent of ten acute mental health beds in the community, WHMH at Home is underpinned by the Hospital in the Home (HITH) model, offering intensive, recovery-focused care in the least restrictive and most person-centred setting — the consumer's home.

The Program Manager will provide visible, values-based leadership across all operational, clinical, and professional domains. The role drives excellence in quality, safety, and workforce performance while fostering a culture of collaboration, learning, and continuous improvement.

This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of acute mental health care — leading a program that redefines hospital-level treatment in the community and empowers consumers, carers, and clinicians across Melbourne's west.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide strategic, operational, and clinical leadership to ensure safe, high-quality, recovery-oriented care.
• Build and lead a high-performing multidisciplinary team committed to excellence and innovation.
• Oversee service delivery, workforce planning, financial performance, and clinical governance.
• Drive quality improvement, research, and evidence-based initiatives to enhance outcomes and sustainability.
• Champion a culture of learning, inclusion, and accountability aligned with Western Health's Best Care framework.

About you:

You are a confident, compassionate leader with the expertise and vision to guide a first-of-its-kind mental health service. You bring advanced clinical knowledge, operational acumen, and a strong commitment to recovery-oriented, trauma-informed care.

You will demonstrate:

• Current registration as a Registered Nurse with AHPRA and postgraduate qualifications in Mental Health Nursing.
• Extensive leadership and management experience in acute or community mental health settings.
• Comprehensive understanding of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 and contemporary service frameworks.
• Proven capability in managing teams, budgets, and performance outcomes within complex health systems.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and change-management skills with the ability to inspire and develop others.

Desirable:

• Tertiary qualifications in leadership, management, or project management, and experience establishing new service models.

Position Description

About Western Health

Western Health is one of the largest healthcare providers in Victoria, caring for a vibrant, diverse and rapidly growing community of one million people in Melbourne's western suburbs.

With more than 13,000 staff, Western Health delivers 800,000+ occasions of care every year, providing high-quality, person-centred care across every life stage.

We provide a combination of hospital, community-based, at-home and in-reach services to aged, adult and paediatric patients and newborn babies. Specialties include oncology, renal, mental health, women's health and maternity, chronic diseases, geriatrics and cardiology.

We have remarkable strengths in chronic disease, complex care and developing innovative and sustainable healthcare solutions. Our experience at the coalface of healthcare delivery for some of Australia's most culturally and socioeconomically diverse and vulnerable populations provides us with unique insights into the most pressing health challenges.

Western Health operates four acute public hospitals: Sunshine Hospital (including Joan Kirner Women's and Children's), Footscray Hospital, Williamstown Hospital and Bacchus Marsh Hospital. We also operate Sunbury Community Hospital, Sunshine Mental Health and Wellbeing Centre, Melton Health and Community Services, Bacchus Marsh Community Health Centre, Caroline Springs Community Health Centre and Grant Lodge Residential Aged Care in Bacchus Marsh. Western Health also provides the primary healthcare service at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, a women's prison located in Ravenhall.

Why join us?

Compensation and benefits

• Competitive salary packages aligned with market standards.
• Health and wellbeing programs, including flexible work arrangements.
• Scholarships and grants to support your continuous learning journey.

Learning and development opportunities

• Access the Western Health Learning Academy (WHA) for personalised learning pathways.
• Professional growth programs, including postgraduate studies and clinical education.
• Mentorship and career support.

Community impact and inclusion

• Make a meaningful difference in patients' lives through compassionate care.
• Join a workforce that champions diversity and inclusion.
• Engage in community wellbeing initiatives and groundbreaking healthcare research.

Organisational culture and environment

• Thrive in a collaborative, compassionate and innovative team environment.
• Be part of a culture that celebrates continuous improvement and excellence in healthcare.

Ready to make an impact?

If you're a values-driven leader passionate about delivering compassionate, recovery-oriented care and shaping innovative models of mental health treatment, we'd love to hear from you. Simply click "Apply" and follow the prompts to submit your application.

If you are currently employed at Western Health, please ensure you sign in through the 'Employee Login' via the external Careers Page or access the Careers Page via the intranet before applying.

Closing date: 11:59pm on 13 November 2025.

Enquiries: For further information about this role, please contact:

Name: Sharlin Berna

Title: Deputy Director – Operational Performance & Transformation, Mental Health & Wellbeing Services 

Phone:

Email:

Alternate Contact: Kathleen Kelly

Title: Operations Manager – Acute & Inpatient Services, Mental Health & Wellbeing Services

Phone:

Email:

Western Health is an equal opportunity employer committed to attracting and retaining diversity in our workforce. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Western Health is committed to providing a safe environment for the children and young people who are involved in our services, sites and operations. We follow and abide by all legislative requirements to keep children and young people safe.

All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory Police Record Check, an Immunisation Status Clearance and a Working with Children Check (if applicable).

Western Health does not accept unsolicited resumes/applications from recruitment agencies.

Western Health