Chief People Officer

Company description:

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.

Job description:

Northern Health is on the lookout for a dynamic and visionary Chief People Officer to lead our People and Culture Directorate. If you're passionate about shaping a thriving workforce and driving strategic people initiatives, we invite you to bring your experience and energy to this pivotal leadership role.

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.

Northern Health is committed to gender equality, diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from women, men, non-binary and gender diverse people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, LGBTQIA+ communities, and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

The Role:

The Chief People Officer (CPO) is a pivotal member of Northern Health's Executive Team, working in close partnership with the Chief Executive, fellow executives, and the Board. This strategic leadership role oversees the People & Culture Directorate, driving the delivery of progressive, responsive, and high-impact human resource services that enable Northern Health to fulfil its mission of providing exceptional healthcare to the northern community.

With a broad portfolio spanning Workforce Planning, Payroll, Human Resources, Talent Acquisition, Occupational Health & Safety and Wellbeing, Learning and Capability, the CPO plays a critical role in shaping a future-ready workforce. Collaborating across executive leadership, clinical and operational teams, and external partners, the CPO ensures Northern Health attracts, develops, and retains a skilled and compassionate workforce equipped to meet the evolving needs of the community.

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Demonstrable experience and success in an Executive capacity within a large, complex, multi-disciplinary organisation, preferably in healthcare or public sector.
• Forward thinking and visionary with the successful experience of leading people to challenge current practices and build momentum for change and an innovative future.
• Strong knowledge of employment law, industrial relations frameworks, and contemporary HR practices.
• Comprehensive understanding of the challenges within the current labour market, in particular as it relates to health and the public sector.
• High levels of self-awareness, empathy, and interpersonal sensitivity to lead with authenticity and compassion.
• Demonstrated general management capability and sound business acumen to consistently achieve performance outcomes across safety, workforce, timelines, and budgetary targets.
• Advanced problem-solving capability, underpinned by strategic insight and creative, lateral thinking to effectively address stakeholder needs and expectations
• Makes sound, ethical decisions under pressure and upholds the highest standards of professionalism.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications (postgraduate credentials highly regarded)

Applicants are assessed against objective, merit-based criteria with a commitment to ensuring gender equality at all stages of the recruitment and selection process.

Next Steps . . .

If this opportunity sounds like the next step in your career, then we would love to hear from you. Please contact Maria Soo, Director Workforce Planning & Projects ) for a copy of the Candidate Briefing Pack. (Queries close Wednesday 22 October 2025)

If you have any questions about the position, please contact the Hiring Manager - Debra Bourne, Chief Executive ), alternatively, please refer to the Position Description.

When you are ready to apply, click on the 'Apply' button and follow the prompts.

Applications close 5pm, 24 October 2025 (Friday).

Shortlisting will commence immediately for this vacancy. If an appropriate candidate is sourced, the advertising may close early.