- Lead the largest and most complex paediatric division in South Australia, with genuine statewide impact
- Shape the clinical model and readiness for the new Women’s and Children’s Hospital (2031)
- Partner in a contemporary co-director model driving governance, culture and performance reform
- Live and work in one of the world’s most liveable cities with beautiful beaches, world class festivals and sporting events, premium food and wine regions, and an easy commute that supports better work-life balance.
THE OPPORTUNITY
This is one of the most influential clinical leadership roles within the Women’s and Children’s Health Network (WCHN), the state’s specialist provider of tertiary paediatric and women’s health services. WCHN delivers complex hospital, community and population health services across South Australia and plays a critical role in education, research and statewide service planning.
Working within a co-director model alongside the Advanced Divisional Co-Director for Nursing and Midwifery, the Divisional Clinical Director, Paediatric Medicine (DCDPM) leads the largest and most complex division within the Network and is accountable for strategic and operational leadership, safety, quality, workforce performance and financial sustainability.
The successful candidate will directly influence service redesign and clinical governance settings as WCHN prepares for transition to the new Women’s and Children’s Hospital in 2031. Based in Adelaide, the role offers the opportunity to lead within a progressive tertiary network while contributing to statewide clinical reform and system sustainability.
THE ROLE
The Divisional Clinical Director provides strategic clinical and operational leadership to the Paediatric Medicine Division and is responsible for the safe, effective and sustainable delivery of services consistent with WCHN’s strategic priorities and performance frameworks.
Key responsibilities include:
- Shaping service models and readiness planning for the 2031 hospital transition
- Leadership and performance accountability for all Medical Heads of Unit within the Division.
- Embedding robust clinical governance systems aligned to WCHN’s Integrated Governance Framework.
- Delivering safety, quality and risk management oversight, including implementation of review recommendations.
- Driving financial stewardship and divisional sustainability within allocated resources.
- Leading workforce performance, credentialing, and cultural reform.
THE CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate will be a senior paediatric specialist (FRACP or equivalent specialist fellowship) with demonstrable experience in leading complex tertiary paediatric medicine services.
Along with the essential criteria detailed in the role description the ideal candidate will bring:
- Proven senior clinical leadership experience within a large, multidisciplinary environment.
- Strong governance capability and a deep understanding of National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards.
- The ability to lead through complexity, financial constraint and organisational change.
- Courage and clarity in performance management and behavioural accountability.
- Political awareness and system literacy across public health settings.
- Demonstrated success in workforce engagement, trust rebuilding and cultural reform.
- High credibility with senior clinicians, executives and external stakeholders.
Critically, this role requires an enterprise mindset. The successful appointee will look beyond divisional boundaries, work collaboratively across WCHN and SA Health, and balance patient safety, workforce wellbeing and fiscal responsibility in a transparent and accountable manner.
This is a rare opportunity to influence the future of paediatric medicine in South Australia at a time of structural reform and generational infrastructure renewal.
For a confidential discussion, please get in touch with:
Janine Hammat
HG Principal Consultant
M. +61 (0)488 555 858 | E. jhammat@hardygroupintl.com
HOW TO APPLY
The closing date for applications is Sunday, 12 April 2026.
The reference number to include in your application is H26_5417.
