Job Description

The Department of Health have an exciting opportunity for an Executive Director to provide strategic leadership and oversight for Safety, Quality, Risk and Service programs across Hospitals North.

Hospitals North supports the local community throughout the greater northern areas of Tasmania across multiple sites including the Launceston General Hospital and Primary Health North sites across northern Tasmania.

The Role

We are looking for an applicant who is Compassionate, Accountable, Respectful, and strives for Excellence (CARE) to lead the ongoing development, implementation and evaluation of quality and patient safety systems within a strong clinical governance framework, ensuring contemporary, evidence‑based and organisation‑wide approaches to safe, high‑quality care.

The successful Executive Director will be a part of the Executive Team within Hospitals North and will provide strategic leadership, expert advice and operational oversight for quality, safety, risk, accreditation and continuous improvement systems across clinical and non‑clinical services. This includes:

• Providing high‑level advice and strategic leadership on all matters relating to clinical governance, accreditation and patient safety .
• Leading the implementation of NSQHS Standards and the National Aged Care Quality Standards, ensuring safe, high‑quality care and continuous improvement across Hospitals North .
• Driving improvement methodologies across multiple projects and workstreams to strengthen systems, processes and outcomes .
• Leading the Quality & Patient Safety Program and supporting statewide directions set by the Department of Health .
• Providing expert advice to the Chief Executive Hospitals North on clinical governance, risk, accreditation and patient safety matters.
• Building a positive, safe organisational culture aligned with organisational values, child‑safe principles and contemporary governance expectations .
• Representing Hospitals North at regional, statewide and national forums on clinical governance, accreditation and safety matters

Note: - Please refer to the Statement of Duties for all the selection criteria of this position to address in your application.

Why Tasmania:

The Department of Health Tasmania oversees various hospitals across the state, including the Royal Hobart Hospital, Launceston General Hospital, Northwest Regional Hospital, and Mersey Community Hospital, as well as district hospitals and ambulance services. Additionally, it provides community health, mental health, and primary healthcare services to the Tasmanian community through more than 300 sites.

Tasmania, Australia's only island state, offers unparalleled natural beauty and a luxurious lifestyle. Pursuing your health career in Tasmania’s public health system means building strong connections with colleagues and patients. It also means embracing a lifestyle where you can enjoy extraordinary experiences outside of work while making a significant impact on the community during work.

Details of appointment:

Permanent, full time, day worker position, working 76 hours per fortnight, commencing 1 June 2026.

*notwithstanding hours to be negotiated with the successful applicant.

Applicants should note that, for a period of twelve months from the date of publication, this selection process may be used to fill subsequent or similar full time, part time, and casual vacancies.

Salary: $170,409 to $188,400 per annum. Our Employer 12% superannuation contribution is on top of this amount.

• Salary range is in accordance with Public Sector Unions Wages Agreement 2022.

Salary Packaging:

You’ll have access to salary package a range of benefits including living expenses up to $9,010 + $2,650 in meal entertainment each FBT year + other benefits if eligible.

Benefits available to eligible candidates:

• Professional development and accelerated pathways.
• A range of leave entitlements, including study leave and Professional Development Support.
• Fitness Passport – You, and your family can access 40+ fitness facilities across Tasmania for just $14.50 per week per person, or $28.05 for a family.

More information about our Employee Benefits can be found here

Eligibility:

Applicants should note the following criteria are essential:

• Working with Vulnerable People Registration (WWVPR) – NDIS endorsed

Applicants should note the following criteria are desirable:

• Relevant post graduate qualifications

Note: - Please refer to the Application Guide for more information of pre-employment check.

Download the Statement of Duties and any Associated Documents

We encourage you to review the Statement of Duties, Applicant Guide, prior to applying for an overview of the duties, program, selection process and application guidance.

Statement of Duties:

• 528713 Executive Director - QPS Band 9 (April 2026) 003.docx

Application Guide:

• Applicant Guide.docx

How to apply:

Apply Online. Please click the "Apply" button on this screen to ensure that important questions about you are answered.

You will be prompted to complete a 1-2 page application detailing your experience, skills and knowledge as they relate to the attached Statement of Duties. A separate statement addressing the selection criteria in the Statement of Duties is not required.

For more information:

Applicants who require further information are encouraged to contact the Contact person for detailed information about the vacancy.

Name: Alexander Smeaton
Position: A/Chief Executive - Hospitals North
Telephone: 03 6777 6042
Email address: alexander.smeaton@ths.tas.gov.au

What it is like working at the Department of Health?

Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Excellent are the key values to work in Department of Health. Listen to some of the lived experiences from within the department through some of our wonderful staff and hear about their journey in relocating to Tasmania!

Make It Tasmania | Move for a great lifestyle

One Health Podcast - Spotify

One Health Podcast - Apple

Tasmanian Health Careers | Tasmanian

Department of Health has achieved the “Carer Accredited Employer Status” providing support to employees with caring responsibilities. (Find out more under the Carer Recognition Act 2023).

Respecting diversity is the foundation of everything that Department of Health do. This allows us to instil trust and collaborate through honest and fair communication and helps cultivate an environment of growth and innovation. We strongly encourage applicants from key communities including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, LGBTIQA+ people, and people living with disabilities.