Operations Manager - Newborn & Children's Services

• Location: Sunshine (Joan Kirner Women’s & Children’s Hospital) with services across Sunshine, Bacchus Marsh, Melton & Sunbury
• Employment Type: Full-Time, Ongoing
• Salary: Admin Grade 6 (commensurate with experience) + Superannuation + Salary Packaging

About the role:

As a key member of the leadership team within Women’s & Children’s Services, the Newborn & Children’s Services Operations Manager plays an integral role in leading, developing and innovating across Newborn and Paediatric Services at Western Health.

Working in close partnership with Heads of Unit, Nursing and Midwifery leaders and the broader multidisciplinary team, the role provides strategic and operational leadership to ensure the delivery of safe, high‑quality, person‑centred care. The position holds responsibility for operational systems and processes including workforce, safety and quality, access, activity, patient experience, improvement and financial performance, in alignment with the Western Health Best Care framework.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide visible and effective leadership across Newborn and Paediatric Services to ensure safe, high‑quality care.
• Lead clinical governance, quality improvement and patient safety initiatives, including monitoring KPIs, adverse events and compliance with standards.
• Drive service planning, operational improvement and innovation to meet current and future demand across inpatient and ambulatory services.
• Lead workforce management, performance development, succession planning and capability building across multidisciplinary teams.
• Manage financial performance, including budget development, activity monitoring, business cases and sustainability strategies.

About you:

You are a highly experienced healthcare leader who thrives in complex environments and is passionate about improving outcomes for women, newborns and children. You will bring:

• Relevant AHPRA registration and extensive senior clinical and operational leadership experience.
• Postgraduate qualification in management or leadership (Masters level preferred or working towards).
• Demonstrated ability to lead large, multidisciplinary teams and manage performance in a complex health service.
• Strong strategic, analytical and financial management capability, including business planning and service development.
• Excellent communication, collaboration and change‑management skills.

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’re passionate about leadership, innovation and delivering exceptional care for children and families, 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 17 April 2026.

Enquiries: For further information about this role, contact Lucy Nash on 0403 104 476. 

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.

Western Health