Service Group Director – Surgical

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Service Group Director reports to the Chief Operating Officer and is responsible for providing strategic leadership and overseeing the operations of a clinical service group within the Townsville Hospital and Health Service (HHS). The role represents a single point of accountability for achieving all outcomes expected of the clinical service group to ensure that it contributes to the achievement of the Townsville HHS vision, objectives and the Service Agreement with the Department of Health. The Service Group Director is a key member of the Senior Management Team and works in partnership with the Chief Operating Officer, Executive Directors and other Service Group Directors to support the delivery of safe, effective and sustainable care within the Townsville HHS.

The Service Group Director will bring strong leadership and business management experience to the role and will possess a strong understanding of the clinical environment pertinent to the Service Group. The role will be responsible for providing high level, expert advice to the Chief Operating Officer and members of the Executive team, will contribute to the development of the Townsville HHS’s strategic vision and be responsible for the development and delivery of the Service Group’s annual operational and performance plan.

With Townsville HHS being the tertiary provider of health services for North Queensland, the Service Group Director has senior level leadership for tertiary services provided to neighbouring HHSs. This role also has responsibility for the implementation and delivery of new and existing tertiary level services (within the Service Group portfolio) that provide health care across the whole of North Queensland.

THE ROLE

The Service Group Director – Surgical provides strategic and operational leadership for the delivery of high-quality, patient-centred surgical services across the Townsville Hospital and Health Service. This executive role is responsible for ensuring the Service Group operates effectively within a complex clinical environment, delivering safe, sustainable care aligned with the organisation’s strategic objectives and performance expectations.

The Director leads the development and implementation of the Service Group’s operational plan, ensuring services are clinically integrated, evidence-based, and responsive to the needs of patients across the care continuum. The role is pivotal in driving innovation, clinical redesign, and continuous improvement, while fostering a culture of accountability, transparency, and excellence in service delivery.

THE CANDIDATE

The successful candidate will need to demonstrate:

• A commitment to safety, quality, and innovation in healthcare.
• Executive experience in health service delivery, ideally in a surgical or tertiary care environment.
• Strong business acumen and strategic planning capability.
• A track record of leading high-performing teams and driving organisational change.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

HOW TO APPLY

The closing date for applications is Tuesday, 2 December 2025. The reference number to include in your application is H25_5299