Role Title: Senior Operations Manager
Employment Type: Temporary Full Time (1 FTE)
Position Classification: Health Manager Level 5
Remuneration: $173,345- $193,906, plus Superannuation
Location: 1 Reserve Road, St Leonards NSW
Hours Per Week: 40 hours per week, eligible for ADOs
Requisition ID: REQ667541
Closing Date: 18 June 2026 (11:59PM)

Join our System Management Branch at Ministry of Health for an exciting temporary full time opportunity up until 30 June 2027 and be part of the team enriching health in millions of ways every day.

About us

Explore boundless potential in a dynamic environment.
Join a passionate team dedicated to innovation and creativity.
Committed to fostering diverse and inclusive workplace for all.

To learn more about the Ministry and what benefits we offer, access our Employee Benefits Handbook.

About the role:
The Health System Operations Command Centre (HSOCC) plays a vital role in supporting system-wide situational awareness, operational coordination, and decision-making across NSW Health, particularly during periods of heightened demand.

The Senior Operations Manager, working collaboratively with key stakeholders, will oversee rapid establishment and operationalisation of the HSOCC. This includes providing high-level leadership to ensure effective system oversight, escalation management and performance responses across NSW Health services.

The Senior Operations Manager will lead multi-agency design, governance and planning, and provide effective leadership to the HSOCC team, whilst monitoring and managing the operational flow and demand aspects of the health system. We are seeking an enthusiastic Senior Operations Manager with extensive leadership experience, effective stakeholder management skills and proven ability delivering projects within agreed timeframes whilst working in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.

This is a temporary full-time position, for up to 12 months, with the possibility of extension. On offer is a total of 40 hours per week, (Monday to Friday), with eligibility for ADOs. Please note that onsite presence at 1 Reserve Road St Leonards is required.

What you’ll be doing
The Senior Operations Manager will:

As the HSOCC Subject Matter Expert, drive continuous improvement and performance outcomes
Lead multi-agency design, governance, and implementation planning for the HSOCC
Establish governance and decision-making structures, monitoring tools, and operating processes for the HSOCC
Coordinate stakeholders and manage delivery risks, issues, and milestones
Lead recruitment, onboarding and workforce planning for the HSOCC, and support establishment of team culture and role clarity across participating agencies.
Lead all components of stakeholder engagement, change management, and operational readiness for the HSOCC
Coordinate timely operational responses to system pressures, including monitoring and interpreting whole-of-system performance and demand signals, and providing real-time advice and situational awareness to senior executives

The successful candidate will

Provide effective leadership to the HSOCC team (consisting of up to 20 reports), including fostering and maintaining a constructive, professional workplace culture, developing capability, managing performance, and providing ongoing professional development to support the timely and accurate achievement and alignment of objectives, targets, and deliverables.
Build and maintain relationships with NSW Health stakeholders who have varying philosophies, priorities, and interests to influence the strategic direction, ensure acceptance and adoption of new virtual care initiatives and drive change management processes.
Lead the rapid establishment and operationalisation of HSOCC, including implementing initiatives that support all aspects of HSOCC operations, and achieve strategic and Branch deliverables on time.
Lead and coordinate whole-of-system responses to demand surges, critical incidents and capacity constraints, including liaison with LHDs, SHNs and key stakeholders.
Manage implementation of specialist project initiatives including preparing project briefs and operating procedures, identifying, and coordinating resources, stakeholder consultation, developing budgets, identifying key milestones, negotiating reporting requirements and completion timeframe.
Provide line management across all HSOCC streams (consisting of up to 20 reports), to drive development and implementation of processes that meet business deliverables; this includes, ensuring high levels of work performance and completion of projects within agreed timeframes, quality standards and budget.
Provide timely, high level strategic advice, documentation and support to the Director Operations and Program Support and key NSW Health executive staff on the development, implementation, management and reporting of virtual care projects managed, and ensure senior staff are fully briefed on the status of projects.
Manage additional responsibilities as delegated by the Director, Operations and Program Support

About you:
We are seeking motivated and committed individuals who can support the work of NSW Health with:

Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline or equivalent; and extensive experience and record of achievement in leading, driving and managing state-wide or large-scale health improvement strategies.
Demonstrated superior stakeholder management, influencing and negotiation skills including extensive experience leading, motivating and negotiating at senior levels; actively developing strategic partnerships; and engaging key stakeholders to adopt and implement initiatives.
Demonstrated high level knowledge and extensive experience in health care and operational health service management.
Demonstrated understanding and working knowledge of health service operations and health priority areas, including health service operations, and related health policy at state and national levels.
Superior analytical skills and demonstrated ability to interpret complex information rapidly and accurately and provide innovative solutions to complex issues.
Proven experience contributing to and promoting strategic initiatives including leading, developing and managing complex change at a large scale or state-wide level; provision of authoritative strategic advice; project management; and, implementation of continuous improvement initiatives.
Demonstrated leadership skills including extensive experience developing, managing and supporting multidisciplinary teams from multiple settings, monitoring and ensuring achievement of performance objectives, coaching and advising staff, and fostering a collegial, professional work environment.
Superior interpersonal and communication skills including proven ability to manage people at all levels from a wide-range of professional backgrounds to achieve optimal business outcomes.

How to apply
At the Ministry of Health, we want you to make the most of the opportunities you’ll get to grow your skills and your career, surrounded by authentic, smart people and leaders.

Please review the role description and submit your up-to-date resume (up to 5 pages) and cover letter (1-2 pages) explaining your interest and motivation in applying for this role and highlighting your relevant skills.

Use the link below to access our Capability Application tool, designed to help you excel in the recruitment process. Practice your responses with the example questions provided to effectively highlight your achievements and the strategies you used to accomplish them.

Capability application tool | NSW Public Service Commission

For role related queries or questions contact Nerida Bell ************@health.nsw.gov.au and quote REQ667541.

As an organisation we are committed to creating an accessible and inclusive workplace. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact Khloe Yang on *********@health.nsw.gov.au

For more information about adjustments for individual needs, please visit the Inclusive recruitment of people with disability | NSW Government

Closing Date: 18 June 2026 (11:59PM)

Need more information?
1) Click here for the Position Description
2) Find out more about applying for this position

Our commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
At the Ministry of Health, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and flexible environment which reflects the community and customers we serve. We actively promote the employment of women, people with a disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTIQ+ community and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. For more information, please visit Diversity Inclusion Belonging

If you identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and would like assistance with your application or to obtain more information on how to apply, please visit The Stepping Up Initiative.

To be eligible for employment in these roles you must be an Australian citizen, or a permanent resident of Australia, or a New Zealand citizen with a current New Zealand Passport, or hold a valid visa with permission to work in Australia.

Additional information

This is a temporary role and there may be opportunities for ongoing employment at grade.
This recruitment may be used to create a Talent Pool for similar future roles (ongoing or temporary) that may arise over the next 18 months.
Please note the selection process will include a range of merit-based techniques to assist in determining your suitability for the role.
For more information about working at the NSW Health, please visit our career portal.

Applications Close: 18 June 2026 (11:59PM)