Assistant Director of Nursing & Midwifery - Leadership & Practice Development

• Location: Sunshine Hospital
• Employment Type: Full-Time, Fixed-Term (12 months)
• Salary: ADONM (ZC1) + Super + Salary Packaging

About the role

Western Health is seeking an experienced and innovative nursing and/or midwifery leader to join the Nursing and Midwifery Directorate as the Assistant Director of Nursing & Midwifery – Leadership & Practice Development.

In this strategic leadership role, you will drive initiatives that strengthen clinical practice, develop nursing and midwifery leaders, and improve patient outcomes across the organisation. Working closely with senior nursing and midwifery leaders, you will lead a portfolio of workforce capability, leadership development, advanced practice, succession planning, and practice improvement programs.

The successful candidate will bring strong project management, stakeholder engagement and change management skills, with a passion for developing others and fostering a culture of excellence, innovation and evidence-based practice. This is an exciting opportunity to influence organisation-wide initiatives and contribute to the ongoing delivery of Best Care for our patients, consumers and community.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead and coordinate organisation-wide nursing and midwifery leadership, workforce capability and practice development initiatives.
• Drive strategic projects that improve clinical practice, patient outcomes and workforce innovation, including advanced practice and nursing career pathways.
• Develop, implement and evaluate leadership development, succession planning, mentorship and professional development programs.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support the successful delivery of strategic priorities.
• Provide expert nursing and/or midwifery leadership, project management and change management support to promote excellence in patient-centred care and professional practice.

About you:

• Current registration as a Registered Nurse and/or Registered Midwife with AHPRA.
• Demonstrated experience in a senior nursing or midwifery leadership role, with a proven ability to lead and influence change.
• Strong project management, stakeholder engagement and strategic planning skills.
• Relevant postgraduate qualification (or significant equivalent experience), with a commitment to ongoing professional development.
• Passion for developing people, fostering innovation and driving evidence-based improvements in care quality and patient outcomes.

Click here for the 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 are committed to empowering nurses and midwives, fostering professional growth, and leading initiatives that enhance the quality and safety of care, we encourage you to apply. Simply click on the "Apply" button and follow the prompts.

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 3 July 2026.

Enquiries: For further information about this role, contact Jo Mapes on 0423 302 337.

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 is committed to the psychosocial safety of all applicants and employees.

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

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