Director First Nations Health

Better and fairer care. Always.

St Vincent's has been a leader in Australia's health and aged care landscape for more than 165 years. Since our founders, the Sisters of Charity, opened our first hospital in 1857, our services and people have been behind some of Australia's most important medical breakthroughs. We are a microcosm of our Australia’s health and aged care system and are uniquely positioned to lead and respond to our rapidly changing environment.

The Opportunity

We are looking for a special kind of person - a St Vincent’s kind of person. Someone who puts compassion, connection and caring for other people at the heart of everything they do.

Reporting to our Chief Nursing Officer and a key member of the Executive team, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne is seeking to appoint a Director First Nations Health to provide leadership across all St Vincent’s First Nations Services.

A pivotal appointment within St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, located on the home of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, the Director First Nations Health will drive strategic implementation of organisational critical strategies to ensure the cultural safety of First Nations people throughout clinical and employment practices.



Delivering cultural leadership to First Nations staff with a focus on those in Indigenous-identified positions, the Director First Nations Health will fostering tight knit, productive relationships throughout St Vincent’s including sub-acute and community-based sites.

Success in this role will be founded on an ability to ensure the principles of co-design, collaborative decision making, and self-determination underpin all First Nations matters, ultimately educating and advising First Nations and non-Indigenous staff regarding the provision of culturally enhanced care across the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

Primary day to day accountabilities for this high-profile leadership appointment include:

• Provide cultural leadership to First Nations staff, particularly those in identified positions, their departmental leads, and direct reports
• Support the provision of culturally specific services by identified positions outside of First Nations Services
• Work collaboratively with SVHM’s internal stakeholders to develop, implement, and monitor organisational performance measures that help deliver culturally safe, trauma-informed and person-centred care
• Represent First Nations Services within the organisation’s tiered management system, fostering multidisciplinary collaboration driving integration of culturally safe, trauma-informed and appropriate care across the patient journey within the health service and beyond – ensuring this is part of BAU care planning and provision
• Accountable for the achievement of KPIs, including specific targets set under the Statement of Priorities in terms of access, activity, quality and financial performance as they relate to First Nations Services
• Provide authoritative advice regarding culturally safe practices across the organisation
• Advise and make recommendations to the SVHM Executive and CEO on all matters relating to First Nations policies, projects, and research, including strategic opportunities, improved cultural safety, and internal and external stakeholder issues
• Co-chair the SVHM & St Vincent’s Private Hospital Melbourne (SVPHM) Reconciliation Action Plan Steering Committee and represent SVHM and SVPHM at the national-level SVHA RAP Committee
• Lead the development, drive the implementation and report on the annual Department of Health Cultural Safety Plan
• Effectively advocate for new service and funding opportunities through development of business plans and papers for the Executive
• Collaborate with key external stakeholders to maintain and sustain formal partnerships (e.g. VAHS MoU), operationalise SVHM strategies including promoting care in the community; and promote the growth of SVHM’s clinical and non-clinical services to First Nations people

St Vincent’s are proud of the amazing work already achieved in this space; this role represents a fantastic opportunity to build on this work and further connect with First Nations patients and staff across the entire St Vincent’s network.



Selection Criteria

When formalising your application, please consider the following selection criteria:

• Confirmation of Aboriginality
• Tertiary qualification and AHPRA registration as a health professional.
• Clinical experience in a health setting
• Experienced people manager with ability to manage complex teams
• Proven ability to manage complex situations and risk, including supporting First Nations staff
• Demonstrated understanding of the healthcare environment, including key safety, quality, financial and overall system drivers
• Experience operationalising strategic objectives to drive improvement and deliver organisational performance measures
• Comfortable providing authoritative and nuanced culturally specific advice.
• Proven ability to drive change and innovation in a healthcare setting
• Superior written and verbal communication skills to effectively represent First Nations Services and advocate for improvements

Whilst not critical to this appointment, relevant post graduate qualifications and management experience within a First Nations-specific health setting is an advantage.

Because you’re like us, you believe in our vision that every person, whoever and wherever they are, is served with excellent and compassionate care, by a better and fairer health and aged care system. Better for all our employees and volunteers, who work tirelessly to provide the highest levels of care and quality of life for our patients and clients. And better support for the local communities we play an important role in and continue to support.

Please note this is a targeted position under Section 126 of the Ant Discrimination Act.





Pre-Employment Checks

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role-required pre-employment checks, including relevant immunisations.



Equal Opportunity

We celebrate diversity & inclusion and are committed to equal employment opportunity for everyone.



How To Apply

Please submit your application via the Apply Now button, including your resume and cover letter.

The closing date for applications is Sunday 19th April 2026.

For further enquiries or to book a face-to-face yarn and tour of SVHM and the executive team, please contact either Makayla Cradock (Indigenous Talent Advisor) 0402 157 215 / makayla.cradock@svha.org.au or Warren Tewkesbury (Talent Transformation Lead) 0421 569 213 / warren.tewkesbury@svha.org.au.



Respectfully, no recruitment agencies.