Position overview

The Division of Cancer and Ambulatory Support (CAS) provides a comprehensive range of assessment, diagnostic and treatment services through inpatient, outpatient, and community settings. The Division is also responsible for the five nurse-led Walk-in Centres, Central Outpatients Department, BreastScreen ACT Central Health Intake services and the Canberra Region Cancer Centre (CRCC).

The Canberra Region Cancer Centre (CRCC) is a modern integrated facility delivering multidisciplinary cancer care to patients across the ACT and southern NSW. Located at Canberra Hospital, it provides specialised services in medical and radiation oncology, haematology, cancer nursing, allied health, and palliative care.

The Operation Manager is responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of multidisciplinary cancer services and the administration stream within the CRCC. This role provides high-level advice, oversight and coordination of complex service delivery systems across cancer streams, supporting clinical directors and the executive team to deliver safe, efficient and sustainable care. The position drives service planning, workforce strategy, digital transformation, fosters innovation and quality improvements, and infrastructure development to meet the current and future needs of the ACT community. The Operational Manager reports to the CAS Executive Director.

To be successful in this role, you will have demonstrated experience leading complex health operations, with a strong strategic, operational, and stakeholder management skills. You will be proficient in driving service improvements, managing resources, and the ability to navigate competing priorities in a dynamic environment while maintaining a commitment to delivering exceptional patient care.

Key Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following.

Under limited direction of the CAS, Executive Director, you will:

1. Provide operational leadership across Cancer Services, including radiation and medical oncology, haematology, allied health, and specialist nursing.
2. Lead and manage the administrative stream, includes workforce  coordination, logistical and workforce functions, staffing, rostering, and resource allocation.
3. Manage and support major projects, business cases and service innovation initiatives, including capital works, digital health implementation and workforce redesign.
4. Support strategic service planning by analysing  clinical activity, performance data and patient flow trends to inform resourcing and improvement.
5. Act as the primary liaison between Cancer Services and corporate support functions (e.g. HR, Digital, Infrastructure, and Finance) to facilitate timely issue resolution and service continuity.
6. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to  implement new models of care, digital tools, and evidence-based service enhancements.
7. Foster a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and consumer engagement across cancer service delivery. Develop and maintain productive partnerships with clinical leaders, consumers, volunteers, and community organisations.
8. Provide high-level leadership to administration managers, fostering a collaborative, high-performing and inclusive culture aligned with Canberra Health Services values.
9. Oversee governance, quality, and compliance across Cancer Services, including accreditation standards, risk management and WHS legislation and requirements.
10. Undertake other duties appropriate to this level of classification which contribute to the operation of the organisation.

Competencies

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following.

• High level communications skills, with demonstrated capability to effectively communicate with senior executive staff across the organisation and external stakeholders.
• A demonstrated record of achievement in implementing organisational strategies to enhance service delivery and business functions.
• Strong organisational skills with a high degree of initiative and drive.
• Adaptability and flexibility to accommodate change and provide responsive services to meet clients’ needs.

Qualifications

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following.

Essential

• N/A

Desirable

• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.

Experience

Essential

• N/A

Desirable

• Relevant public sector or equivalent experience.
• Fulfil the responsibilities of this role in alignment to the CHS Exceptional Care Framework and all other related frameworks.

Prior to commencement

Appointment to this position is conditional on being granted and retaining appropriate clearances:

• Pre-employment National Police Check.
• Comply with Canberra Health Services Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination policy.

Important information

All employees are required to:

• Adhere to the Canberra Health Services Values and the ACT Public Service Code of Conduct.
• Act in accordance and comply with all relevant Safety and Quality policies and procedures.

CHS is leading the drive to digitally transform health service delivery in Australia through the implementation of a territory wide Digital Health Record. Computer literacy skills are required which are relevant to this role as you will be responsible for completing required documentation and becoming a proficient user of the Digital Health Record and/or other Information Technology systems; once proficient, you will need to remain current with changes, updates, and contingencies.

What you Require (Key Selection Criteria)

These are the key selection criteria for how you will be assessed in conjunction with your resumé and experience.

1. Demonstrate extensive experience in leading complex health service operations, preferably in cancer care, with a proven record of managing large teams, budgets and services at a senior level.
2. Strong understanding of healthcare service delivery, exceptional organisational skills, with the ability to be proactive, flexible and operate with a high degree of independence in the execution and adaption of work plans and the determination of priorities.
3. Excellent leadership and resource management skills, including workforce coordination, strategic service planning, financial monitoring and reporting to executive stakeholders.
4. Proven ability to work collaboratively across clinical, administrative and executive teams, with highly developed written and verbal communication skills. The ability to prepare high level strategic reports, correspondence and engagement.
5. Demonstrates understanding of, and adherence to, safety and quality standards, work, health and safety (WH&S) and the positive patient experience. Displays behavior consistent with CHS's values of reliable, progressive, respectful and kind.

Work environment description

The following work environment description outlines the inherent requirements of the role and indicates how frequently each of these requirements would need to be performed. Please note that the ACT Public Service is committed to providing reasonable adjustments and ensuring all individuals have equal opportunities in the workplace.