Director of Nursing - Mental Health & Wellbeing
Director of Nursing - Mental Health & Wellbeing Services
- Location: Sunshine Hospital
- Employment Type: Ongoing, Full-Time
- Salary: Grade 7 RPN + Superannuation + Salary Packaging
About the role
Western Health is seeking a values-based, visionary leader as our Director of Nursing to lead nursing services across our Mental Health & Wellbeing Division. This is a pivotal role, providing strategic leadership, professional accountability, and clinical governance to ensure the delivery of safe, high-quality, person-centred care for our community.
As the senior nursing leader for the Division, you will work in close partnership with the Divisional Director and Clinical Services Director to shape mental health nursing practice, workforce planning, education, and research, while embedding Western Health’s values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Excellence and Safety.
Key responsibilities:
In this role, you will:
- Provide professional leadership and accountability for nursing standards, practice, safety, and quality across the Division.
- Lead the planning and implementation of innovative, consumer-centred models of care in line with organisational strategy.
- Lead and mentor the nursing workforce, fostering a culture of accountability, compassion, and excellence.
- Partner with executive leaders and external stakeholders to advance strategy and achieve organisational goals.
- Promote research, education, and evidence-based practice to strengthen the nursing profession and improve consumer outcomes.
About you:
To succeed in this role, you will bring:
- Registration as a Registered Nurse in Australia, with post-graduate qualifications in Mental Health Nursing and Management.
- Extensive clinical and senior management experience in a large, complex health care environment.
- Demonstrated ability to lead organisational change, drive innovation, and improve care outcomes.
- Strong communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills across multidisciplinary teams and external partners.
- A commitment to research, education, and evidence-based practice to advance nursing and mental health care.
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 passionate about shaping the direction of mental health nursing at a system wide level and to leave a lasting legacy for consumers, families, and the profession, we’d love to hear from you. 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 20 October 2025.
Enquiries: For further information about this role, contact Kellie Tyson on (03) 8345 1916.
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