Nurse Manager Theatre & Day Surgery

Gippsland Health Alliance; Warragul; Hybrid; AUD 82,000 - 116,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Job share opportunities considered

10-hour day / 4-day week arrangements

Professional development and career/LE

Access to Employee Assistance Program

Free onsite parking

Supportive leadership team

Job summary

West Gippsland Healthcare Group in Victoria is seeking an experienced Theatre & Day Surgery Nurse Manager to lead perioperative services and advance patient-centred care.

In this permanent full-time NM11 role you’ll provide operational and clinical leadership across Operating Theatre, Day Surgery, Anaesthetics and PACU/Recovery, working with surgeons and multidisciplinary teams to improve safety, governance and service development.

Qualifications

• Current registration as a Registered Nurse with AHPRA
• Significant perioperative nursing experience
• Experience within Theatre, Day Surgery and/or broader perioperative services
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• A commitment to patient-centred care, clinical excellence and continuous improvement
• The ability to lead, coach and support teams in a dynamic healthcare environment

Responsibilities

• Provide operational and clinical leadership across Operating Theatre, Day Surgery, Anaesthetics and PACU/Recovery
• Oversee workforce planning, clinical governance, quality improvement activities and service development
• Drive high-quality patient-centred care while coordinating with surgeons and multidisciplinary teams
• Lead service improvements and staff development to foster a positive team culture focused on safety

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Clinical governance

Education

Postgraduate qualifications in Perioperative Nursing

Nursing Management

Health Management

Job description

Theatre & Day Surgery Leader (Nurse Manager)

Clinical Operations

Permanent Full Time, up to 76 hours per fortnight
Nurse Unit Manager Level 2 (NM11) $71.91 per hour

Flexible work arrangements available

Step Into Leadership. Shape the Future of Perioperative Services.

Are you an experienced perioperative nurse looking for your next challenge?

Whether you're an established Nurse Manager or an experienced Theatre, Day Surgery or Perioperative nurse ready to take the next step into leadership, this could be the opportunity you've been waiting for.

West Gippsland Healthcare Group is seeking a collaborative and motivated leader to oversee our Theatre and Day Surgery services. This is an opportunity to join the Victorian public healthcare sector, broaden your leadership experience and make a genuine impact on patient care, staff development and service improvement within a growing regional health service.

What makes this role different is the flexibility. We recognise that exceptional candidates come from a range of backgrounds and career stages, so we're open to discussing arrangements that work for you, including flexible start and finish times, job share opportunities, a 10-hour day/4-day working week, and other flexible working options by negotiation.

This position may suit an experienced Nurse Unit Manager, Associate Nurse Unit Manager, Clinical Nurse Specialist or senior perioperative nurse looking to take the next step in their career. Previous formal management experience is desirable, but not essential.

As part of our leadership team, you'll provide operational and clinical leadership across Operating Theatre, Day Surgery, Anaesthetics and PACU/Recovery. Working closely with surgeons, anaesthetists and multidisciplinary teams, you'll drive high-quality patient-centred care while overseeing workforce planning, clinical governance, quality improvement activities, service development and day-to-day operations.

You'll have the opportunity to influence the future direction of perioperative services, lead service improvements, develop staff capability and foster a positive team culture focused on safety, collaboration and continuous improvement.

Why Join West Gippsland Healthcare Group?

If you're currently working in the private sector and considering a move to public healthcare, this is an excellent opportunity to broaden your experience while enjoying the benefits of a supportive and well-established health service.

Employee benefits include:

• Salary packaging
• Flexible working arrangements
• Job share opportunities considered
• 10-hour day / 4-day week arrangements considered
• Professional development and leadership opportunities
• Access to Employee Assistance Program
• Free onsite parking
• Supportive and collaborative leadership team
• Opportunity to influence service growth and innovation
• Public sector employment conditions

Located in Warragul, just 30 minutes from Pakenham against peak-hour traffic, West Gippsland Healthcare Group offers the opportunity to build a rewarding leadership career while enjoying the benefits of regional living. The Baw Baw Shire is one of Victoria's fastest growing regions, offering excellent lifestyle opportunities, accessibility and a strong sense of community.

About You

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Current registration as a Registered Nurse with AHPRA
• Significant perioperative nursing experience
• Experience within Theatre, Day Surgery and/or broader perioperative services
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• A commitment to patient-centred care, clinical excellence and continuous improvement
• The ability to lead, coach and support teams in a dynamic healthcare environment

The following would be highly regarded:

• Previous leadership experience as a NUM, ANUM, CNS, coordinator or similar role
• Experience managing staff, rostering and workforce planning
• Experience within a public health service
• Postgraduate qualifications in Perioperative Nursing, Nursing Management and/or Health Management

Previous NUM or ANUM experience is desirable but not essential. We encourage experienced perioperative nurses with leadership potential to apply.

About Us

At West Gippsland Healthcare Group, we care for our community because we are the community.

Our purpose is simple: Connecting, to care at every stage of life. We are committed to delivering connected quality care through a culture that values teamwork, professional growth, innovation and compassion.

Joining WGHG means becoming part of a health service that supports its people, invests in their development and empowers them to make a meaningful difference every day.

Further information is available in the Position Description .

For a confidential discussion about the role, please contact:

Michelle McKimmie
Perioperative Services Manager
[phone]
[e-mail]

Applications close: 25 November 2026 * (applications may close earlier)

Applications will be reviewed as they are received. This position will remain open for a minimum of fourteen (14) days for externally advertised positions from the date of advertisement and may close earlier than the listed closing date if a suitable candidate is identified.

Important Information

Some roles in the healthcare sector require annual Influenza vaccination (unless a valid exemption applies). Evidence of vaccination or exemption will be required prior to commencement.

All appointments with West Gippsland Healthcare Group are subject to satisfactory professional reference checks, a National Police Record Check and a current Employee Working with Children Check. All employees must hold current entitlement to work in Australia. A six-month probationary period applies to all new appointments.

As an inclusive employer committed to improving diversity and equity in our workforce, we encourage applications from all parts of our community, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally diverse backgrounds, LGBTIQA+ people and people with lived experience of disability.

As a Child Safe organisation, West Gippsland Healthcare Group promotes the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of all children, including children with disability.