Chief Pathologist

The Royal Melbourne Hospital; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 350,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading public healthcare provider in Victoria is seeking an experienced Chief Pathologist to lead the integration of pathology services across multiple hospitals. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of public pathology services in a collaborative environment. Candidates must have a FRCPA or equivalent and significant clinical leadership experience. The position includes clinical governance responsibilities and opportunities for academic collaboration. Before applying, please indicate your preference for the 0.6 FTE position or the combined role with the University of Melbourne.

Qualifications

• Registration as a medical specialist in pathology with FRCPA or equivalent.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in complex pathology settings.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellence in clinical service delivery and teamwork.
• Excellent written and verbal communication across diverse stakeholders.
• Knowledge of public health, policy issues, safety and quality.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical leadership for adult pathology services.
• Co-lead the clinical governance framework.
• Champion an inclusive and collaborative culture.
• Define and uphold clinical standards aligned with best practice.
• Support integration of pathology services with clinical programs.
• Build relationships across Parkville health services.
• Act as senior clinical lead for the Network as required.

Skills

Senior strategic leadership

Clinical governance

Excellent communication skills

Change management

Teamwork

Education

Registration as a medical specialist in pathology with FRCPA

PhD or equivalent research higher degree

Strategic leadership

Change management

Clinical governance

Communication skills

Public health knowledge

Research leadership (PhD or equivalent)

Management/Business/Administration qualification

Job description

Chief Pathologist

The Royal Melbourne Hospital is one of Australia’s leading public healthcare providers.

Join the team. Build a career. We are looking for a passionate and dedicated individual to join The Royal Melbourne Hospital.

Job Description

Public Pathology Victoria

Victoria is transforming public pathology services to ensure all Victorians have access to high-quality diagnostic care. Pathology is at the heart of modern healthcare. Timely, accurate results help clinicians diagnose illness, guide treatments, and monitor recovery. Strengthening our public pathology system builds a safer, more reliable, and sustainable health service for everyone.

An opportunity is available to take on the newly established Medical Director - Chief Pathologist position within a forming public pathology network in Victoria’s Parkville Precinct, led by the Royal Melbourne Hospital. This role will lead the integration of pathology services across four leading health services:

• The Royal Children’s Hospital
• The Royal Melbourne Hospital
• The Royal Women’s Hospital

The Opportunity

A first of its kind opportunity exists for a distinguished clinical leader to take on the inaugural Chief Pathologist (CP) position. Reporting to the Executive Director – Pathology Network, with a professional reporting line to the Chief Medical Officer at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, the Chief Pathologist will be a key member of the leadership team, with the Chief Paediatric & Perinatal Pathologist (CPPP) and General Manager, to provide senior clinical leadership across a multi-disciplinary pathology workforce of approximately 820 staff. This role plays a central part in shaping the future delivery of high-quality public pathology services across the network.

The role is structured as a 0.6 FTE senior clinical leadership appointment at RMH, with the option to combine this with a 0.4 FTE complementary appointment, as a joint academic role with the University of Melbourne (Associate Professor or Professor level).

About You

As the most senior pathologist for adult services within the Network, the Chief Pathologist will provide clinical leadership across general and specialty pathology disciplines and co‑lead, with the Medical Director – Chief Paediatric & Perinatal Pathologist, a robust clinical governance framework.

You will help shape the strategic direction, standards and culture of the new pathology network. This role is suited to a senior pathologist with strong clinical credibility and strategic leadership capability, able to unify laboratories under a new network model and lead complex, system‑wide change. You bring deep experience in clinical governance and senior medical leadership, with a collaborative style that enables you to engage, influence and guide diverse stakeholders.

The role also supports academic and translational research engagement, with opportunities to collaborate across the Parkville Precinct and beyond. For candidates pursuing the joint appointment, this includes contributing to teaching, research and the advancement of pathology through the University of Melbourne.

Key Accountabilities

• Provide clinical leadership and strategic direction for adult pathology services across the Network
• Co‑lead the clinical governance framework with the Chief Paediatric & Perinatal Pathologist
• Champion a strong, inclusive and collaborative professional culture across the network
• Define and uphold clinical standards aligned with best practice
• Support integration of pathology services with clinical programs
• Build strong relationships across Parkville health services
• Act as senior clinical lead for the Network as required

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• Registration as a medical specialist in pathology with FRCPA (or equivalent) and must hold, or be eligible for, registration with the Medical Board of Australia
• Proven senior strategic leadership and change management skills
• Demonstrated leadership experience in a complex pathology setting
• Proven track record of excellence in clinical service delivery in Pathology with a demonstrated commitment to continued improvement and teamwork
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills that enable the collaboration and development of professional relationships across a broad range of people
• Knowledge and understanding of public health and pathology policy issues, including evidence‑based practice, and health care safety and quality

Additional Selection Criteria (Joint UoM Appointment Only)

• PhD or equivalent research higher degree
• Demonstrated sustained success in obtaining research grants and external research income (with emphasis on competitive, international and peer‑reviewed)
• A research track record and relevant tertiary qualification in Management / Business / Administration or equivalent

Clearly indicate in your application whether you are applying for:

• Option A: the 0.6 FTE Chief Pathologist role at RMH only, or
• Option B: the combined 0.6 FTE RMH role and 0.4 FTE joint academic appointment with the University of Melbourne.

All applicants should submit:

• An updated CV
• Two referees (referees will not be contacted until following the interview stage)
• A cover letter or statement (maximum two pages) providing details of your skills, experience and knowledge, addressing the Essential Qualifications & Experience criteria above

Applicants seeking the joint UoM appointment should also address the Additional Selection Criteria below, which includes

• Research track record
• Teaching experience
• Eligibility for appointment at the Associate Professor or Professor level

Universe has been engaged by the Royal Melbourne Hospital to support this appointment.

For further information or a confidential discussion, please contact one of our Directors at Universe Search, Kane King at [e-mail]

Applications close on Tuesday January 27th 2026.

Interviews are anticipated to commence in February 2026.

Name and Contact

Kane King at [e-mail]

To apply, please email Kane King at [e-mail]