Health Service Chief Executive

Queensland Health; Douglas Shire; On-site; AUD 600,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS) invites an accomplished health executive to lead northern Queensland's largest regional health service. The role focuses on delivering safe, patient-centered care while guiding a workforce of 8,000+ and a multi-billion-dollar budget.

You will shape strategy, drive system-wide improvement, and build strong partnerships with government, universities and communities to advance research, education and innovation in healthcare.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading large, complex health organisations.
• Experience at chief executive or equivalent executive level.
• Strong governance, financial and risk management capabilities.
• Proven ability to build high-performing cultures and develop executive teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction to THHS, ensuring safe, effective and efficient health services.
• Oversee governance, risk, compliance and clinical governance frameworks.
• Drive organisational performance, growth, sustainability and service excellence.
• Foster partnerships with government, universities, communities and stakeholders.

Job description

Lead one of Australia's most significant regional health services and shape the future of healthcare across northern Queensland, delivering impact at a scale few executive roles can offer | Take the helm of a high-performing organisation with a workforce of more than 8,000 people, an annual operating budget exceeding $1.6 billion, a strong reputation for service excellence and an ambitious agenda for future growth | Influence healthcare delivery across the state while driving innovation, workforce capability, strategic partnerships and system-wide improvement | Enjoy the unique lifestyle of tropical north Queensland while leading Northern Queensland's largest tertiary referral health service and advancing research, education and innovation through strong partnerships with James Cook University and other key stakeholders.

The Opportunity

Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS) is one of Australia's leading regional health services and a recognised centre for tertiary healthcare, research, education and innovation.Serving more than 250,000 people across northern Queensland, THHS operates 21 facilities, including Townsville University Hospital, the region's largest tertiary referral hospital.

With more than 8,000 employees, and an annual operating budget exceeding $1.6 billion, the service combines significant scale and complexity with a strategic focus on growth, sustainability and service excellence. Supported by substantial infrastructure investment and a strong partnership with James Cook University, the organisation is well positioned to continueadvancing healthcare delivery, workforce development and innovationacross northern Queensland.

Working closely with the Board and executive team, the successful candidate will shape strategy, influence system-wide priorities and drive organisational performance and impact.

Townsville offers an enviable coastal lifestyle with easy access to the Great Barrier Reef, Magnetic Island and national parks, this is a career-defining opportunity for an accomplished health executive.

The role

Reporting directly to the Townsville Hospital and Health Board, the Health Service Chief Executive (HSCE) is accountability for ensuring the organisation delivers its strategic priorities and provides safe, effective and efficient health services. You will lead a large and diverse health service, ensuring person-centred care remains at the heart of decision-making while driving performance, sustainability and service excellence.

The HSCE will ensure robust governance, risk, compliance and clinical governance frameworks while overseeing organisational resources. Working closely with executive colleagues, clinicians and operational leaders, you will foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, innovation and organisational learning that strengthens capability and enhances outcomes for patients and communities.

The role requires strong strategic relationships across the healthcare system. You will engage with government, health service partners, universities, community representatives, regulatory bodies and professional organisations to advance shared priorities and strengthen healthcare delivery across Queensland. You will also collaborate with Queensland Health, other Hospital and Health Services and key stakeholders to ensure THHS responds to community needs.

The Candidate

The successful candidate will be an accomplished executive with a proven record of leading large, complex organisations. You will bring significant experience operating at chief executive or equivalent executive level, with demonstrated success delivering organisational strategy, leading major workforces, managing substantial financial resources and navigating complex stakeholder environments. A strong understanding of contemporary healthcare delivery, including workforce, infrastructure, technology, funding and governance, will be essential.

You will be recognised for your ability to build high-performing cultures, lead and develop executive teams, and create an environment that empowers people while maintaining accountability for results. Strong political acumen, sound judgement and exceptional communication and negotiation skills will enable you to build trusted relationships across government, Boards, clinicians, consumers, academic partners and the broader community.

Equally important is a genuine commitment to patient-centred care, health equity and culturally responsive service delivery. You will be a values-driven and resilient leader who demonstrates integrity, authenticity and clarity of thought, while inspiring confidence in those around you.