Associate Director of Allied Health - Social Work and Spiritual Care

 

Reference Number: 54300:  Associate Director of Allied Health - Social Work and Spiritual Care 
Employment Type: On Going Full Time (FT) 
Location: Northern Health (All Campuses) 
 

About Northern Health:

As an organisation we have a clear focus on how we service and partner with our community, including our strategy of helping the community stay well when at home. Our reputation of community minded, inclusive and progressive is matched to none. 

Northern Health is located in the rapidly growing northern suburbs with projected growth the biggest in the state. With a booming, culturally rich and diverse community, and less than an hour’s drive from the CBD (still within the bounds of Myki and ride-sharing), Melbourne’s North is fast becoming the place to be.

Northern Health is seeking applications from an experienced and inspiring Allied Health leader to take on the role of Associate Director of Allied Health – Social Work and Spiritual Care.

Northern Health is the major provider of acute, maternity, sub-acute, mental health, specialist, community and home-based services in Melbourne’s rapidly growing outer north.

Our services are delivered across six campuses:

Northern Hospital Epping, Broadmeadows Hospital, Bundoora Centre, Craigieburn and Mernda Hospitals and Kilmore District Hospital, with Mental Health Services provided across multiple additional sites.

As an organisation, we are committed to partnering with our diverse and rapidly expanding community to keep people well, at home. Our inclusive, community-minded and progressive approach underpins our vision and values, and supports our reputation as one of Victoria’s most dynamic health services.

About the Role

This is a significant senior leadership opportunity within Allied Health, providing strategic, professional and operational leadership for Social Work and Spiritual Care services across Northern Health. Reporting to the Director of Allied Health, the Associate Director is accountable for ensuring high-quality, evidence-based and consumer-centred services are delivered across acute, sub-acute, community and mental health settings.

The successful candidate will lead workforce development, professional governance, strategic planning, service innovation, research, education and quality improvement initiatives while overseeing financial, human resource and operational performance across the portfolio.

This role is pivotal in shaping the future of Social Work and Spiritual Care services, fostering excellence in clinical practice, building workforce capability and contributing to organisation-wide priorities and transformation initiatives. The position works across all Northern Health sites and maintains strong partnerships with clinical leaders, consumers, universities and external stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic, operational and professional leadership for Social Work and Spiritual Care services across Northern Health.
• Lead workforce planning, succession planning and capability development across the portfolio.
• Develop and implement business plans aligned with Northern Health's strategic priorities.
• Manage departmental budgets and ensure achievement of financial, workforce and clinical performance targets.
• Drive quality improvement, accreditation readiness and compliance with National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards.
• Lead service innovation, redesign and change management initiatives that improve consumer outcomes and service sustainability.
• Support and facilitate clinical education, professional development and research activities across the disciplines.
• Strengthen governance systems and ensure best-practice clinical service delivery across all sites.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, including universities, community organisations and professional bodies.
• Promote a culture of patient-centred care, collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Eligibility for membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
• Extensive clinical experience in Social Work.
• Demonstrated experience leading large multidisciplinary teams across multiple sites or services.
• Strong track record of service development, innovation and successful organisational change management.
• Well-developed strategic planning, leadership and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
• Experience in financial and human resource management.
• High-level communication, negotiation, analytical and report writing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to use data and performance insights to drive service improvement and organisational outcomes.
• A commitment to research, education, quality improvement and evidence-based practice.
• A collaborative leadership style that reflects Northern Health's values of Safe, Kind and Together.

Why Northern Health?

At Northern Health, you will join a progressive and innovative health service committed to developing exceptional leaders and supporting excellence in patient care. You will have the opportunity to influence strategic direction, drive meaningful service improvements and shape the future of Social Work and Spiritual Care services within one of Victoria's fastest-growing health services.

Next Steps . . .

If this opportunity sounds like the next step in your leadership career, we would love to hear from you. Please click 'Apply' and follow the prompts.

For further details, please refer to the Position Description.

Alternatively, please contact Mary De Gori on 84373542 or mary.degori2@nh.org.au for a confidential discussion.

Want to learn more about what it's like to work in Allied Health at Northern Health? Check out this exciting video: Allied Health Careers at Northern Health 🎥

Applications close 19 October 2026

Shortlisting will commence immediately. If an appropriate candidate is sourced, advertising may close early. We encourage you to apply promptly.

Why work at the Northern Health?

NH offer a range of benefits which support and reward staff both personally and professionally.

Our staff benefits include award winning facilities and campus partnerships, Professional development and events, an award-winning Health and wellbeing program and financial benefits.

• Health and Wellbeing programs, including our new ‘Thrive’ program
• Flexibility in the workplace and extra leave options and support
• An inclusive and culturally safe space
• Access to salary packaging & EAP
• Comprehensive Library services for learning, research, clinical decision-making, leisure and wellbeing (onsite and online)

Work with us! Northern Health is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce which reflects the community we serve. Applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, as well as applicants who are LGBTIQ+, who have different abilities, or are from culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds are encouraged.