- Lead operational excellence across one of Victoria’s largest regional health services
- Drive integrated care, access, and patient flow across acute, subacute, and community settings
- Inspire collaboration and innovation to deliver exceptional health outcomes
As one of Victoria’s most established health services, South West Healthcare is the major specialist referral centre for the region, delivering a comprehensive range of acute, mental health, rehabilitation, primary and community services, as well as dental and aged care to its communities. With 282 beds and a workforce of more than 2,000, South West Healthcare provides care to a population of over 110,000 people across its regional footprint, which includes campuses at Warrnambool, Camperdown, Macarthur and Lismore, along with dedicated Mental Health and Dental facilities in Portland and Hamilton. From 1st July 2025, Southwest Healthcare became the lead agency for the Southwest Local Health Service Network, marking an exciting new chapter of collaboration and regional leadership in partnership with other health services across the region.
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Operating Officer is an integral member of South West Healthcare’s executive team, responsible for leading the integrated and effective delivery of clinical operations across acute, subacute, and aged care services. This role plays a pivotal part in translating strategic intent into operational excellence, enhancing patient access, flow, and experience while driving performance, efficiency, and innovation across the organisation. With a focus on system-wide collaboration, the Chief Operating Officer will ensure service continuity, workforce capability, and sustainable models of care that meet the evolving needs of south-west Victoria’s growing population.
To be successful in this role, you will be a visionary and values-driven healthcare executive with a proven track record of delivering high-quality, patient-centred services across complex, multidisciplinary environments. Holding a tertiary qualification in a clinical discipline such as nursing, allied health, or medicine, you ideally complement this with postgraduate qualifications in health service management, business administration, public health, or a related field. Skilled in leading major operational, cultural, and organisational change, you have extensive experience managing diverse clinical teams and fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation. Your leadership style ensures the delivery of safe, efficient, and integrated care across multiple domains, underpinned by your strong clinical governance and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within regional and rural health services. You bring your expertise optimising patient access and flow to deliver coordinated, efficient, and sustainable care that enhances outcomes and experience
As a trusted member of the Executive, you will be expected to maintain a full-time presence in the south-west region and reside within a daily commutable distance to South West Healthcare.
If you have a passion for patient experience and service optimisation and are seeking an executive role that will stimulate and challenge you, click the ‘apply now’ button to upload your Cover Letter and Resume.
For further information, download the Success Profile by copying and pasting this link into your browser https://tinyurl.com/3krykus5 .
For a confidential discussion, please contact Manelle Connelly on 0434 068 977/ Manelle.Connelly@davidsonwp.com at Davidson Search & Advisory.
Applications close Sunday 16
th
November 2025
 .
