Chief Medical Officer

• Shape medical workforce strategy and capability, contemporary models of care and clinical governance
• Influence health outcomes across metropolitan, rural, remote and First Nations communities
• Join a values‑driven executive team committed to delivering exceptional, person‑centred healthcare
• North Queensland Based combining lifestyle and career

THE OPPORTUNITY

Townsville Hospital and Health Service is seeking an exceptional Chief Medical Officer to serve as the most senior professional medical leader across the region. THHS is the largest tertiary health service in northern Australia and delivers an extraordinary breadth of clinical services, including cardiothoracic surgery, neurosurgery, intensive care, oncology, haematology, neonatology and specialist paediatrics. As the tertiary referral centre for a vast area spanning urban, rural and remote communities, THHS plays a crucial role in ensuring equitable access to high‑quality medical care.

The Chief Medical Officer leads this system of significant scale and complexity, providing strategic direction, professional oversight and clinical governance for more than 700 medical officers across all stages of training and seniority. The role strengthens medical capability, builds a sustainable workforce and supports the delivery of safe, contemporary models of care across the entire health service.

Townsville offers an enviable lifestyle in a warm coastal city with a vibrant community, strong educational partnerships and proximity to the Great Barrier Reef, Magnetic Island and national parks. Its location, combined with the depth and diversity of the health service, positions this as a career‑defining opportunity for a medical leader seeking both influence and impact.

THE ROLE

As the principal source of expert advice on medical professional practice, the Chief Medical Officer is responsible for ensuring THHS delivers safe, effective and contemporary medical services aligned with organisational strategy, regulatory obligations and accreditation requirements. Reporting to the Health Service Chief Executive, the role provides leadership in medical workforce governance, professional standards, clinical performance, credentialing, rostering and scope of practice.

You will guide the development of models of care, strengthen clinical governance systems and lead quality and safety initiatives across the health service. The position supports innovation, evidence‑based practice and service redesign that enhances outcomes for patients and communities. It requires deep collaboration across the executive, clinical directorates, universities, professional colleges, regulators and industrial partners.

With six direct reports and responsibility for an operating budget of approximately ten million dollars, the Chief Medical Officer contributes to the strategic direction of THHS while providing visible leadership that inspires confidence, capability and continuous improvement across the medical workforce.

THE CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate is a respected senior medical leader with extensive experience in complex clinical environments, ideally within a tertiary or major regional health service. You will bring a proven ability to guide medical teams, shape clinical strategy, lead professional governance and drive system‑wide improvement. Your background will include significant experience in medical leadership, service improvement, clinical governance and workforce strategy.

You will be an adaptive, collaborative and resilient leader who is confident navigating complexity and ambiguity while maintaining clarity and direction. Strong interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills are essential, along with the ability to build productive relationships with medical colleges, universities, regulators, professional bodies and internal clinical leaders.

You will demonstrate a commitment to the THHS values of Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Engagement, as well as a strong dedication to improving health equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. You will be a registered specialist medical practitioner.

HOW TO APPLY

The closing date for applications is Thursday, 9 April 2026.

For a confidential discussion, please get in touch with:

Sarah Buckler, HardyGroup Principal Search Consultant
M. +61 (0)429 486 740
E. sbuckler@hardygroupintl.com

The reference number to include in your application is H26_5474.