Program Director, Health Transformation Lab

Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

RMIT University invites applications for Program Director, Health Transformation Lab. Lead the growth and delivery of the Lab’s applied innovation portfolio, translating strategy into an integrated program of work and building strategic partnerships across healthcare, industry, government, universities and startups.

This fixed-term HEW 10C appointment, primarily based at RMIT’s Melbourne City campus, requires leading the Lab team, securing new projects and funding, and advancing digital health

Qualifications

• Lead large, multi-stakeholder programs and translate strategy into actionable plans.
• Build and manage strategic partnerships across healthcare, industry, government, universities and startups.
• Demonstrate strong governance, risk management and reporting for complex programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operation of the Health Transformation Lab and translate strategy into clear priorities and deliverables.
• Build and manage a pipeline of strategic partnerships, projects and funding opportunities.
• Oversee delivery and scaling of the Lab’s programs and projects, ensuring governance and contractual commitments.
• Develop opportunities and prepare major proposals, reports and engagement activities.

Skills

Leadership

Program management

Partnership development

Stakeholder engagement

Governance & compliance

Budgeting & finance

AI & health tech knowledge

Education

Tertiary qualification in business or related discipline

Job description

Overview

Program Director, Health Transformation Lab Lead the growth and delivery of RMIT’s Health Transformation Lab and its applied innovation portfolio. Build strategic partnerships across healthcare, industry, government, universities and startups. Fixed-term HEW 10C appointment to 30 June 2029, primarily based at RMIT’s Melbourne City campus.

About the role

Reporting to the Executive Chair, Health Transformation Lab, the Program Director will lead the management, delivery and growth of the RMIT-Cisco Health Transformation Lab’s program of work. The role will translate the Lab’s strategic direction into an integrated portfolio of applied innovation, partnerships and activities, while building new opportunities for growth and impact. This is a highly visible leadership role suited to an experienced program, partnership and innovation leader who can operate effectively across complex organisational and external stakeholder environments. You will lead the Health Transformation Lab team and oversee its portfolio of programs and projects, including the NIIN Health Alliance, while developing strategic partnerships and a strong pipeline of new projects, funding opportunities and collaborations. A key focus will be applied innovation across digital health, AI and emerging technologies, helping progress ideas from concept and prototyping through to pilots, implementation and adoption. You will also support connecting RMIT capabilities with external healthcare innovation opportunities, working across Colleges, research centres, innovation assets and professional portfolios.

Please Note: Appointment to this position is subject to holding a valid Victorian Working with Children Check and other checks as required by the role.

Key priorities

• Lead the day-to-day operation of the Health Transformation Lab and its team, translating strategic direction into clear priorities, workplans and deliverables.
• Build and manage a pipeline of strategic partnerships, projects and funding opportunities across healthcare, industry, government, universities and startups.
• Oversee delivery and scaling of the Lab’s portfolio of programs and projects, including the NIIN Health Alliance and Health Labs Network, ensuring effective governance, contractual compliance, reporting and delivery of agreed outcomes.
• Work proactively across RMIT to identify capability, develop collaborative opportunities and connect RMIT expertise with external healthcare innovation challenges.
• Lead applied innovation activities, including the Sandbox, AI and emerging technology initiatives, demonstrations and partner projects, creating pathways from concept and prototyping through to implementation and adoption.
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships and lead the preparation of major proposals, reports, briefings, showcases and engagement activities that strengthen the Lab’s impact, profile and future pipeline.
• Ensure effective financial, resource and operational management of the Health Transformation Lab and its programs.

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Proven experience leading high-performing teams and complex programs of work, with the ability to translate strategy into clear priorities, effective operations and measurable outcomes.
• Strong business development and partnership capability, with demonstrated success identifying opportunities and converting them into funded projects, programs or collaborations.
• A strong track record delivering complex, multi-stakeholder programs, including management of resources, budgets, governance, risk, reporting and contractual commitments.
• Highly developed stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across complex organisations and external partnerships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, negotiation and judgement, including the ability to develop high-quality propositions, proposals and strategic materials.
• Experience in applied innovation and translating research, technology or ideas into practical applications, pilots, partnerships or implementation.
• Experience or knowledge in healthcare, digital health, AI, emerging technology or related environments, with an understanding of technology adoption in healthcare.
• An understanding of university-industry collaboration and how research, expertise and capability can be mobilised to create commercial or societal impact.
• A tertiary qualification in business or a related discipline, with postgraduate qualifications preferred.

Culture

RMIT is an equal opportunity employer committed to being a child safe organisation.

We are dedicated to attracting, retaining and developing our people regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability and age.

Applications are encouraged from all sectors of the community, and we strongly encourage applications from the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community.

In line with RMIT University’s commitment to a safe, respectful and inclusive environment, from 1 January 2026, the University will also consider gender-based violence (GBV) risk factors as part of our recruitment processes.

All applicants will be required to complete a gender‑based violence declaration in accordance with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence.

Preferred candidates will also be required to undertake relevant pre‑employment background checks, including Working With Children Checks.

Information provided will be treated confidentially and considered only for its relevance to the role and RMIT’s safety obligations.

At RMIT, we are committed to supporting adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, as well as during employment.

We actively support and encourage people with disability to apply to RMIT (including alternate formats of application forms).

To discuss adjustment requirements, please contact Dani, via [e-mail] or visit our Careers page for more contact information - https://www.rmit.edu.au/careers.

Culture: Our Values inspire us, wherever we are in the world, and guide how we live and work together. Imagination. Integrity. Courage. Passion. Impact. Inclusion. What unites us is our purpose and our values; they are at the heart of who we are, what we stand for, how we make decisions and connect with each other. Our people make everything at the University possible. We encourage new approaches to work and learning, stimulating change to drive positive impact. RMIT exists to create transformative experiences for our students, getting them ready for life and work. You will be a part of a productive and collaborative team, who values working relationships and outcomes through open and inclusive planning, continuous information sharing and transparent work practices.

Applications

Applications closeSunday, 29th of November at 11:59 PM.

Applications Close: 29 Nov 2026 11.59 pm