Director of Surgery

Victorian Government; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 250,000 - 380,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salaries

Flexible work options

Wellbeing programs

Scholarships and learning grants

Learning academy access

Job summary

Western Health in Melbourne seeks a Director of Surgery to provide strategic and operational clinical leadership for the surgical services program. The role includes maintaining an active clinical role in the surgeon’s specialty (minimum 14 hours per week) and overseeing budgets, staffing, and targets.

The candidate will ensure procedures meet national standards, monitor outcomes, and contribute to a collaborative, patient‑centered care model across the organization.

Qualifications

• Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons is required.
• Current registration with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA) is mandatory.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in surgical services and clinical governance.

Responsibilities

• Oversee surgical services budgets, staffing requirements and activity targets.
• Drive service planning with targets, resource needs and improvement priorities.
• Ensure medical staff are registered, credentialed and working within scope of practice.
• Ensure procedures meet national standards and Western Health policies.
• Monitor clinical outcomes and safety data; drive quality improvements.
• Foster a positive work climate and professional development.
• Establish cross‑disciplinary relationships with staff and external partners.

Skills

Medical leadership

Surgical services

Budget management

Staffing planning

Quality & safety oversight

Education

Fellowship of Royal Australasian College of Surgeons

Current AHPRA registration

Job description

Occupation: Medicine, nursing and midwifery

Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs

Reference: 8798

• Employment Type: Full-Time, Ongoing
• Salary: Fractional Specialist (commensurate with experience) + Superannuation + Salary Packaging

About the role:

The Director of Surgery provides strategic and operational clinical leadership to the surgical services program. The role also assists the Clinical Services Director and Divisional Director to deliver safe, timely, equitable, effective and sustainable patient-centered clinical services for the division and organization, through the implementation of contemporary multidisciplinary models of care.

The Director of Surgery role consists of 14.0 hours per week (0.4EFT) and will also maintain an active clinical role in their surgical specialty (minimum of 14.0hrs per week).

• Oversee the management of the surgical services program financial budgets, medical staffing requirements and activity targets.
• Participate in service planning including the development and setting of targets, resource requirements and improvement priorities.
• Ensure medical staff are appropriately registered, credentialed and working within scope of practice.
• Ensure that clinical procedures are performed to national standards in accordance with Western Health policy and procedure.
• Oversee clinical outcomes and monitor safety and quality data.
• Contribute to creating and maintaining a work climate which is conducive to positive morale and employee growth, development and retention.
• Establish and maintain professional relationships with employees, other professional groups, units/departments and/or community agencies.
• Current registration with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency.
• Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Western Health is the leading healthcare provider in Melbourne’s West - one of Australia’s fastest-growing and most culturally and socioeconomically diverse regions.

More than 13,000 employees help deliver a comprehensive range of services across our hospitals, community, correctional, and home-based settings. These services include acute tertiary care, emergency and intensive care, medical and surgical specialties, mental health and wellbeing, subacute care, ambulatory care, primary care, home-based services, and residential aged care.

We are committed to driving innovation and sustainability that improves health outcomes for our community. With specialties spanning oncology, renal care, mental health, women’s health and maternity, chronic disease management, geriatrics, and cardiology, Western Health is recognised for its expertise in managing complex and chronic conditions through integrated, patient-centred care.

We foster a collaborative and inclusive culture where you can make a meaningful impact. We support our staff to keep learning and growing through a diverse range of education programs, partnerships with universities in medical research and professional development opportunities.

Whyjoinus?

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive salaries, flexible work options, and wellbeing programs.
• Scholarships and grants to support ongoing learning.

Learning and Development

• Access personalised pathways through the Western Health Learning Academy.
• Opportunities for postgraduate study, clinical education, and mentorship.

Community Impact and Inclusion

• Make a difference through compassionate care in a diverse, inclusive workforce.
• Contribute to community wellbeing initiatives and healthcare research.

Organisational Culture and Environment

• Work in a collaborative, innovative team focused on continuous improvement and excellence.

Ready tomake animpact?

If you’re passionate about compassionate care, innovation and community wellbeing,we’dlove to hear from you.

Western Health is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from people of all genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and people with lived experience that strengthens their ability to do this work

Western Health is committed to providing a safe environment for the children and young people who are involved in our services,sitesand 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, anImmunisationStatus 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.

Applications close Thursday 5 November 2026 at 11.59pm