Executive Director Clinical Governance

Queensland Health; Douglas Shire; On-site; AUD 260,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

Queensland Health is recruiting an Executive Director Clinical Governance to lead patient safety, quality and clinical performance across northern Queensland. Reporting to the Health Service CEO, you will shape strategic governance, drive accreditation, risk management and evidence-based practice across THHS and allied partners.

You will oversee clinical governance programs, build high-performing teams, and engage senior executives and Boards to advance organisational performance and

Qualifications

• Significant senior executive leadership experience within the health service sector with a strong focus on clinical governance, quality and performance management.
• Demonstrated experience leading clinical governance, patient safety and quality improvement programs within a complex healthcare environment.
• Strong understanding of clinical risk, compliance, accreditation, clinical standards, credentialing and clinical privileging.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of the 2026 National Model for Clinical Governance to deliver safe, high-quality healthcare services.
• Provide strategic leadership for patient safety, clinical quality and continuous improvement across the Health Service.
• Lead clinical governance programs covering clinical risk, performance, accreditation, clinical audit, credentialing and clinical privileging.
• Drive learning from adverse events, audits, complaints and other clinical insights.
• Provide expert advice to the Chief Executive, Board and Executive on patient safety, quality and governance matters.
• Lead and develop a high-performing clinical governance team with succession planning and a culture of improvement.
• Build relationships with clinical leaders, executives, government, healthcare organisations and academic partners.
• Lead THHS research and ethics activities and support collaboration with James Cook University.
• Ensure governance aligns with THHS values and healthcare standards.

Skills

Executive leadership

Clinical governance

Quality improvement

Stakeholder management

Strategic planning

Change management

Communication

Negotiation

Education

Tertiary qualifications in healthcare/health administration

Clinical qualifications desirable

Tools

Clinical governance frameworks

Accreditation standards

Job description

Provide executive leadership for healthcare quality, safety and clinical performance across northern Queensland

Reporting to the Health Service Chief Executive Officer, the Executive Director Clinical Governance will provide strategic advice on clinical governance matters and contribute to the development and delivery of the broader organisation's strategy. The role will lead the clinical governance agenda across THHS, developing and implementing systems and processes that strengthen patient safety, quality of care, clinical performance and continuous improvement. The role also provides leadership across clinical risk, accreditation, clinical audit, credentialing and clinical privileging, while supporting a culture of transparency, accountability and evidence-based practice.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the implementation of the 2026 National Model for Clinical Governance, which serves as a cornerstone framework for the delivery of safe, high-quality healthcare services across the THHS.
• Provide strategic leadership for patient safety, clinical quality and continuous improvement across the Health Service
• Lead clinical governance programs covering clinical risk, performance, accreditation, clinical audit, credentialing and clinical privileging
• Drive learning and improvement arising from adverse events, research, audits, complaints and other sources of clinical insight
• Provide expert advice and analysis to the Health Service Chief Executive, Board and Executive on patient safety, quality and clinical governance matters
• Lead and develop a high-performing clinical governance team, supporting workforce capability, succession planning and a culture of performance and continuous improvement
• Build effective relationships with clinical leaders, executives, government, healthcare organisations, academic partners and other key stakeholders
• Lead THHS research and ethics activities and support collaboration with James Cook University
• Ensure clinical governance, compliance and decision-making are aligned with THHS values and relevant healthcare standards

Background & Qualifications:

• Significant senior executive leadership experience within the health service sector, with a strong focus on clinical governance, quality and performance management
• Demonstrated experience leading clinical governance, patient safety and quality improvement programs within a complex healthcare environment
• Strong understanding of clinical risk, compliance, accreditation, clinical standards, credentialing and clinical privileging
• Experience in a significant health service delivery environment, with clinical activity costing and performance management experience highly regarded
• Highly developed leadership capability, with demonstrated success in building high-performing clinical and professional teams
• Strong conceptual, analytical and problem-solving skills, particularly across governance, risk and change management
• Demonstrated ability to provide strategic advice and engage effectively with senior executives and Board stakeholders
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, influencing and negotiation skills
• Relevant tertiary qualifications highly regarded, with clinical qualifications strongly desirable

This is a career-defining opportunity for an accomplished clinical governance executive to shape patient safety, quality and clinical excellence across one of Northern Queensland's leading public health services and make a meaningful impact across the communities it serves.