Director, Clinical Governance and Medical Services
Director, Clinical Governance and Medical Services
Contract Type:
Location: Caringbah
Industry: Healthcare & Medical
Contact Name: Rob Macmillan
Contact Email: rmacmillan@derwentsearch.com.au
Contact Phone: 0421 593 535
Date Published: 24-Aug-2026
Director, Clinical Governance and Medical Services
South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, NSW Health
Executive medical leadership role in one of Australia’s largest and most research-intensive health services
Employment Type: Permanent Full Time
Position Classification: Staff Specialist
South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD) is one of the most complex and dynamic health organisations in Australia. Serving nearly one million residents across 468 square kilometres, from Sydney's CBD to the Royal National Park, SESLHD operates nine hospitals and a broad range of community health services, with an annual budget of $2.4 billion and approximately 11,500 staff. SESLHD is distinguished by its deep commitment to research and innovation, with partnerships developed locally, nationally and internationally to advance patient outcomes and clinical excellence.
Following the planned retirement of the current Director, Clinical Governance and Medical Services, SESLHD is seeking an outstanding successor to step into this significant executive role. This is a genuine opportunity to shape the future of medical services and clinical governance across one of NSW's most respected and high-performing health districts.
The Opportunity
Reporting to the Chief Executive, the Director, Clinical Governance and Medical Services will hold primary responsibility for strategic and professional leadership of the clinical governance and medical services portfolio across SESLHD. As a key member of the executive team, the Director will work collaboratively with clinical staff, executives, and managers to strengthen clinician involvement in decision-making, drive service improvement, and integrate patient care and innovation across the organisation.
Key responsibilities include:
The Person
We are seeking an experienced medical leader who has ideally held an EDMS / DMS / CMO or related leadership role within a comparable health service and who has a track record of leading and driving successful transformation. The person will ideally hold RACMA Fellowship. Critical to the person’s success will be their proven track record of leading medical workforce and clinical governance teams and initiatives within a complex hospital or health service. The person will demonstrate strong communication and engagement skills and a track record of successfully forging powerful relationships with medical staff, the executive team and the broader clinical community. Experience gained in Australian or New Zealand public health services is most likely, and we also welcome applications from returning Australian expatriates currently working in comparable roles overseas.
NSW Health values diversity and is committed to building an inclusive workplace culture that reflects the community it serves. We encourage applications from diverse community groups including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTI+, people with a disability and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
To download the Candidate Information Pack, which includes details on SESLHD, the role and how to apply, please click on the "Additional Information" button. For a confidential discussion, please call Rob Macmillan - Partner Health, Derwent on 0421 593 535 or email rmacmillan@derwentsearch.com.au quoting reference #34785.
To be eligible for this position, candidates must hold current working rights in Australia.
Applications close: Sunday 13th September.
Additional Information
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South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, NSW Health
Executive medical leadership role in one of Australia’s largest and most research-intensive health services
Employment Type: Permanent Full Time
Position Classification: Staff Specialist
South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD) is one of the most complex and dynamic health organisations in Australia. Serving nearly one million residents across 468 square kilometres, from Sydney's CBD to the Royal National Park, SESLHD operates nine hospitals and a broad range of community health services, with an annual budget of $2.4 billion and approximately 11,500 staff. SESLHD is distinguished by its deep commitment to research and innovation, with partnerships developed locally, nationally and internationally to advance patient outcomes and clinical excellence.
Following the planned retirement of the current Director, Clinical Governance and Medical Services, SESLHD is seeking an outstanding successor to step into this significant executive role. This is a genuine opportunity to shape the future of medical services and clinical governance across one of NSW's most respected and high-performing health districts.
The Opportunity
Reporting to the Chief Executive, the Director, Clinical Governance and Medical Services will hold primary responsibility for strategic and professional leadership of the clinical governance and medical services portfolio across SESLHD. As a key member of the executive team, the Director will work collaboratively with clinical staff, executives, and managers to strengthen clinician involvement in decision-making, drive service improvement, and integrate patient care and innovation across the organisation.
Key responsibilities include:
- Providing strategic and high-level operational advice to the Chief Executive and Board on clinical and professional standards, models of care, and evidence-based practice.
- Leading the governance of medical services across SESLHD, including structure, credentialing, scope of practice, and policy development.
- Providing direction and expertise across the clinical governance function, including quality, accreditation, incident management and patient safety.
- Providing expert advice on all medical workforce matters, including professional development, planning and strategy.
- Managing and advocating for patient safety and clinical quality to foster a culture of continuous improvement.
- Encouraging the engagement of medical directors and medical staff, building a culture of peer leadership, collaboration and professional excellence.
- Developing and maintaining strategic partnerships with the NSW Ministry of Health, NSW Health Pillars, academic institutions, and professional associations.
- Overseeing disaster management functions and ensuring financial accountability within the portfolio.
The Person
We are seeking an experienced medical leader who has ideally held an EDMS / DMS / CMO or related leadership role within a comparable health service and who has a track record of leading and driving successful transformation. The person will ideally hold RACMA Fellowship. Critical to the person’s success will be their proven track record of leading medical workforce and clinical governance teams and initiatives within a complex hospital or health service. The person will demonstrate strong communication and engagement skills and a track record of successfully forging powerful relationships with medical staff, the executive team and the broader clinical community. Experience gained in Australian or New Zealand public health services is most likely, and we also welcome applications from returning Australian expatriates currently working in comparable roles overseas.
NSW Health values diversity and is committed to building an inclusive workplace culture that reflects the community it serves. We encourage applications from diverse community groups including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTI+, people with a disability and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
To download the Candidate Information Pack, which includes details on SESLHD, the role and how to apply, please click on the "Additional Information" button. For a confidential discussion, please call Rob Macmillan - Partner Health, Derwent on 0421 593 535 or email rmacmillan@derwentsearch.com.au quoting reference #34785.
To be eligible for this position, candidates must hold current working rights in Australia.
Applications close: Sunday 13th September.
