Health Service Chief Executive

• Lead one of Australia’s most significant regional health services and shape the future of healthcare across northern Queensland, delivering impact at a scale few executive roles can offer.
• Take the helm of a high-performing organisation with a workforce of more than 8,000 people, an annual operating budget exceeding $1.6 billion, a strong reputation for service excellence and an ambitious agenda for future growth.
• Influence healthcare delivery across the state while driving innovation, workforce capability, strategic partnerships and system-wide improvement.
• Enjoy the unique lifestyle of tropical north Queensland while leading Northern Queensland’s largest tertiary referral health service and advancing research, education and innovation through strong partnerships with James Cook University and other key stakeholders.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Townsville Hospital and Health Service is one of Australia’s leading regional health services and a recognised centre for tertiary healthcare, research, education and innovation. Serving more than 250,000 people across a catchment of 150,000 square kilometres, the service operates 21 facilities, including Townsville University Hospital, Northern Queensland’s largest tertiary referral hospital. With more than 8,000 employees, an annual operating budget exceeding $1.6 billion and a reputation for strong organisational performance, the service combines significant scale and complexity with a clear strategic focus on growth, sustainability and service excellence. Supported by substantial planned infrastructure investment and a strong partnership with James Cook University, the organisation is well positioned to continue advancing healthcare delivery, research capability, workforce development and innovation across northern Queensland.

Working alongside an engaged Board and accomplished executive team, the successful candidate will shape strategy, influence system-wide priorities and help drive the next phase of organisational growth, performance and impact. This is a rare opportunity to lead one of Queensland’s most significant health services and influence healthcare delivery at both a regional and statewide level.

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 an accomplished health executive seeking both influence and impact.

THE ROLE

Reporting directly to the Townsville Hospital and Health Board, the Health Service Chief Executive is the single point of accountability for ensuring the organisation delivers on its strategic priorities and provides safe, effective and efficient health services. You will lead a large and diverse health service environment, ensuring person-centred care remains at the heart of decision-making while driving performance, sustainability and service excellence across all areas of operation.

The Health Service Chief Executive will ensure robust governance, risk, compliance and clinical governance frameworks operate effectively across the organisation while overseeing the planning, allocation, and management of resources. Working closely with executive colleagues, clinicians and operational leaders, you will foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, innovation and organisational learning that strengthens capability and enhances outcomes for patients and communities.

A critical component of the role is building and maintaining strategic relationships across the healthcare system. You will engage with government, health service partners, universities, community representatives, regulatory bodies and professional organisations to advance shared priorities and strengthen healthcare delivery across Queensland. You will also play an important system leadership role through collaboration with Queensland Health, other Hospital and Health Services and key stakeholders to ensure THHS responds to the evolving needs of the communities it serves.

THE CANDIDATE

The successful candidate will be an accomplished executive leader with a proven record of leading large, complex organisations through growth, transformation and performance improvement. You will bring significant experience operating at chief executive or equivalent executive level, with demonstrated success delivering organisational strategy, leading major workforces, managing substantial financial resources and navigating complex stakeholder environments. A sophisticated understanding of contemporary healthcare delivery, including the interplay between workforce, infrastructure, technology, funding, governance and service planning, will be essential.

You will be recognised for your ability to build high-performing cultures, lead and develop executive teams, and create an environment that empowers people while maintaining accountability for results. Strong political acumen, sound judgement and exceptional communication and negotiation skills will enable you to build trusted relationships across government, Boards, clinicians, consumers, academic partners and the broader community.

Equally important is a genuine commitment to patient-centred care, health equity and culturally responsive service delivery. You will be a values-driven and resilient leader who demonstrates integrity, authenticity and clarity of thought, while inspiring confidence in those around you. This is an outstanding opportunity for a highly capable health executive to lead a major tertiary health service, shape the future of healthcare across northern Queensland and make a meaningful contribution to the health and wellbeing of the communities served by Townsville Hospital and Health Service.

We invite you to confidentially discuss this exceptional leadership opportunity with:

Paul Ingle, HardyGroup Chief Executive
​M. +61 (0)402 796 125
​E. pingle@hardygroupintl.com

Sarah Buckler, HardyGroup QLD State Manager and Principal Consultant
​M. +61 (0)429 486 740
​E. sbuckler@hardygroupintl.com

HOW TO APPLY

The closing date for applications is Wednesday, 21 October 2026.

The reference number to include in your application is H26_5587.