Physio Team Lead

Optimum Healthcare Australia; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Optimum Healthcare Australia in Melbourne is seeking a Physiotherapy Department Lead to shape the direction, performance and culture of the physiotherapy team delivering SAH and NDIS services. This role combines clinical insight with strategic leadership to elevate patient outcomes and team capability.

You’ll split time across clinical work, leadership, and a flexible day, mentoring seven physiotherapists and two osteopaths, reporting to the Operations Manager, and partnering with the Director

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience supervising or managing clinicians.
• Strategic thinker capable of identifying patterns and challenges.
• Emotionally intelligent with adaptable communication.

Responsibilities

• Setting the strategic direction of the Physiotherapy department and driving it forward.
• Supervising and developing senior physiotherapy clinicians through regular one-on-ones, coaching, and feedback.
• Leading departmental projects that improve quality, efficiency, and team capability.
• Overseeing department operations: caseload management, leave planning, onboarding, incident response, and performance.
• Representing the Physiotherapy team in leadership forums and practice-wide planning.
• Identifying opportunities to use technology and digital tools — including AI — to improve team workflows.
• Contributing to a culture of accountability, growth, and high performance.

Job description

Step into a leadership role that's built for someone who's ready to lead.

You've spent years developing your clinical expertise — and somewhere along the way, you discovered that what you really love is building great teams, solving complex problems, and making a department run brilliantly. You think strategically. You communicate with confidence. And you're ready for a role where your leadership is front and centre.

This is that role.

About OHA

Optimum Healthcare Australia is a multi-discipline allied health practice in Essendon, specialising in Support at Home (SAH) and NDIS-funded services. Our team brings together Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Osteopathy, Speech Pathology, and Massage Therapy — all working collaboratively to deliver meaningful, accessible care to the people who need it most.

We're a values-driven practice led by a hands-on leadership team that believes in giving talented people real ownership of their domain.

The role

As Physiotherapy Department Lead, you'll have genuine responsibility for the direction, performance, and culture of the OHA Physiotherapy department — and the autonomy to lead it your way.

Your week is structured to reflect that:

Two days clinical — You'll carry a purposeful caseload with SAH recipients and NDIS participants, staying connected to the work your team does every day.

Two days leadership — This is the core of what you're here to do: developing and mentoring senior clinicians, improving systems and workflows, leading projects that elevate the department, and contributing to OHA's broader strategy.

One day flexible — Available for leave coverage when the team needs it; a dedicated leadership day when they don't.

You’ll report to the Operations Manager and work closely with the Director, sitting alongside OHA's leadership group as a genuine peer and contributor.

The team

You’ll be leading a team of seven physiotherapists and two osteopaths — a capable, experienced, and cohesive group. The structure is already strong: a Clinical Supervisor supports the junior team members, and a Clinical Educator drives clinical development. Your focus is on the senior clinicians — coaching them, challenging them, and developing them further.

This is a team that’s ready to be taken to the next level by the right leader.

What you’ll be responsible for

Setting the strategic direction of the Physiotherapy department and driving it forward

Supervising and developing senior physiotherapy clinicians through regular one-on-ones, coaching, and feedback

Leading departmental projects that improve quality, efficiency, and team capability

Overseeing department operations: caseload management, leave planning, onboarding, incident response, and performance

Representing the Physiotherapy team in leadership forums and practice-wide planning

Identifying opportunities to use technology and digital tools — including AI — to improve team workflows

Contributing to a culture of accountability, growth, and high performance

What we’re looking for

A leader first. You have demonstrable experience supervising, coaching, or managing other clinicians — and you’re passionate about helping people grow professionally, not just clinically.

A strategic thinker. You’re comfortable stepping back from individual cases to look at the department as a whole — identifying patterns, anticipating challenges, and making decisions that serve the team and the organisation.

Emotionally intelligent. You read people well, adapt your communication style across different audiences, and build trust naturally — with your team, with clients and their families, and with senior leadership.

Confident in difficult conversations. Whether it’s performance feedback, a disagreement with leadership, or a clinician who needs to hear something they’d rather not — you approach these moments with empathy and directness.

Technologically curious. You actively look for ways digital tools and AI can make your team more efficient, and you bring others along with you.

Accountable and solution-focused. When challenges arise, you move toward them. You bring solutions, take ownership of your outcomes, and stay clear-headed when priorities compete.

Growth mindset. You seek feedback, reflect on your own leadership, and are genuinely committed to getting better — not just at the job, but as a leader.

Clinically credible. You hold current AHPRA registration as a Physiotherapist and have meaningful experience working with SAH recipients and/or NDIS participants.

Ownership and autonomy. This is your department to lead. We’ll set the direction together — how you get there is yours to decide.

A leadership role with real scope. You’ll sit at the leadership table, not just manage a team in isolation. Your perspective shapes the practice.

A team ready for great leadership. The people are here, the structure is sound, and the opportunity to take things further is real.

Purpose-driven work. Our clients are people for whom great allied health care genuinely changes their independence and quality of life. The team you build and lead delivers exactly that.

A collaborative, multi-disciplinary environment. Internal cross-referrals and genuine team collaboration aren’t aspirational here — they’re part of how we work.

Competitive remuneration. We pay well for the right person. Let’s talk.

OHA is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.

Your application will include the following questions:

• Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in Australia?
• What's your expected annual base salary?
• How much notice are you required to give your current employer?
• Are you currently registered as a physiotherapist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)?
• Do you have Project Leadership experience?