Divisional Director Nursing Operations, Women's

About Northern Health:

As an organisation we have a clear focus on how we service and partner with our community, including our strategy of helping the community stay well when at home. Our reputation of community minded, inclusive and progressive is matched to none.

Northern Health is located in the rapidly growing northern suburbs with projected growth the biggest in the state. With a booming, culturally rich and diverse community, and less than an hour's drive from the CBD (still within the bounds of Myki and ride-sharing), Melbourne's North is fast becoming the place to be.

Northern Health is seeking motivated and experienced nursing leader with registered Midwife qualifications for the role of Divisional Director, Nursing & Midwifery Operations within the Women's and Children's Division. This pivotal position provides visionary leadership to enhance care delivery, empower staff, and improve outcomes for patients and families, supporting the provision of safe, high-quality care.

Northern Health is the major provider of acute, maternity, sub-acute, mental health, specialist, community and home-based services in Melbourne's rapidly growing outer north.

Services are provided through our five main campuses:

Northern Hospital Epping, Broadmeadows Hospital, Bundoora Centre, Craigieburn Centre, and Kilmore District Hospital. In addition, Mental Health Services are provided at Epping, Broadmeadows, Jacana, Preston, Mill Park and Coburg.

About the Role:

As the Divisional Director, Nursing & Midwifery, you will provide executive, strategic, and operational leadership for the Women's and Children's Division, ensuring excellence across nursing and midwifery services. Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and inspiring a large, multidisciplinary nursing and midwifery workforce across maternity, neonatal, paediatric, and gynaecology services.
• Providing professional governance, standards, and leadership for nursing and midwifery practice
• Overseeing divisional operations, clinical governance, workforce planning, and resource management.
• Driving service improvement, innovation, and implementation of evidence-based practice.
• Representing nursing and midwifery at executive, organisational, and sector-wide forums.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with internal teams, professional bodies, regulatory agencies, and community stakeholders.
• Ensuring compliance with professional standards, organisational policies, and regulatory requirements.

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Current registration as a Registered Nurse and Midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.
• Proven leadership experience at an executive or senior management level in a complex healthcare environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage large, multi-disciplinary teams and complex divisional budgets.
• Strong knowledge of clinical governance, risk management, and quality improvement in women's and children's services.
• Excellent strategic planning, problem-solving, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• A commitment to fostering a culture of safety, innovation, and professional development for staff.
• Post graduate qualifications in Midwifery, nursing management, healthcare administration, or related field.
• Extensive clinical experience in maternity services, including high-risk obstetric and neonatal care.
• Demonstrated experience in implementing evidence-based practice and clinical guidelines in maternal and child health
• Experience in workforce planning, recruitment, and retention strategies for nursing and midwifery staff.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and accreditation standards for maternity services (e.g. NSQHS standards and Child Safe Standards)
• Strong understanding of contemporary models of maternity care, including midwifery continuity of care programs.
• Understanding of healthcare funding models, performance indicators, and benchmarking in women's and children's services.
• Commitment to culturally safety and providing inclusive care for diverse populations, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Families.
• Strong communication skills with ability to represent the organisation at professional forums and committees.

Next Steps . . .

If this opportunity sounds like the next step in your career, then we would love to hear from you.

For further details, please refer to the Position Description. Alternatively, you can contact Linda Romano, Chief Operating Officer at

Applications close 30 September 2025

Shortlisting will commence immediately for this vacancy. If an appropriate candidate is sourced, the advertising may close early, thus we advise you to apply right away.

Why work at the Northern Health?

NH offer a range of benefits which support and reward staff both personally and professionally.

Our staff benefits include award winning facilities and campus partnerships, Professional development and events, an award winning Health and wellbeing program and financial benefits.

• Health and Wellbeing programs, including our new 'Thrive' program
• Flexibility in the workplace and extra leave options and support
• An inclusive and culturally safe space
• Access to salary packaging, EAP, our online library and onsite car parking

Work with us Northern Health is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce which reflects the community we serve. Applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, as well as applicants who are LGBTIQ+, who have different abilities, or are from culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds are encouraged.