Director Corporate Governance/Board Secretary

Company description:

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.

Job description:

Northern Health is seeking an exceptional leader to join our Executive team as Director Corporate Governance /Board Secretary

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.

Services are provided through our six main campuses:

Northern Hospital Epping, Broadmeadows Hospital, Bundoora Centre, Craigieburn and Mernda Community Hospitals Centres and Kilmore District Hospital. In addition, Mental Health Services are provided at Epping, Broadmeadows, Jacana, Preston, Mill Park, Mernda and Coburg.

About the Role:

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, this role combines Board governance and secretariat duties, executive advisory and organisational leadership responsibilities within one of Victoria's largest public health services.

As the custodian of Northern Health's corporate governance framework, you will work closely with the Board Chair, Board Directors, Chief Executive and Executive leaders to support sound governance, informed decision-making and organisational accountability.

You will also act as a trusted advisor to the Chief Executive, providing strategic advice and support on organisational priorities, governance matters and issues of enterprise significance.

Working across the organisation, the role supports alignment between Board priorities, Executive decision-making and organisational delivery.

It offers the opportunity to contribute to matters that are critical to Northern Health's performance, accountability and future direction.

This is an opportunity to work alongside the Board, Chief Executive and Executive leaders and contribute to decisions that influence organisational performance, governance and the delivery of healthcare services to our community.

As Director, Office of the Chief Executive, you will:

• Lead Northern Health's corporate governance framework and support the effective operation of the Board and all Board Committees.
• Provide Board end to end secretariat support
• Provide expert governance advice to the Board Chair, Board Directors, Chief Executive and Executive.
• Coordinate Board and Executive governance processes, annual governance work programs and organisational reporting.
• Act as a trusted advisor to the Chief Executive on strategic priorities, governance matters and emerging organisational issues.
• Lead strategic projects and organisational initiatives commissioned by the Chief Executive.
• Build strong relationships with the Department of Health, Ministerial Offices and key external stakeholders.
• Support organisational performance, governance reform and continuous improvement initiatives across the health service.

To be successful in this role you will have:

• You are an experienced and influential leader with a strong understanding of governance, accountability and organisational performance within a complex environment.
• You bring exceptional judgement, political acumen and communication skills, together with the ability to build trusted relationships with Boards, Executives and senior stakeholders.
• You may currently be working in health, government, the public sector or another highly regulated environment and have experience supporting Boards, Chief Executives, Executive leadership teams or governing bodies.

Next Steps . . .

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

For further details, please refer to the Position Description.

Applications close Thursday 27 August 2026.

Given the seniority of this opportunity, applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. We encourage interested candidates to apply at their earliest convenience, as shortlisting may commence prior to the closing date.

Shortlisting will commence immediately for this vacancy. If an appropriate candidate is sourced, the advertising may close early, thus we advise you to apply right away.

We offer:

We offer a range of benefits to support and reward staff both personally and professionally, which includes:

• Health and Wellbeing programs, including our ‘Thrive' program

• Flexibility in the workplace and extra leave options and support

• An inclusive and culturally safe space

• State of the art facilities and campus partnerships

• A commitment to ongoing professional development through our ‘Learning Labs'

• Access to salary packaging, EAP and our online library

 

For a glimpse of life at NH, click here.

 

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.

 

All employees of Northern Health must comply with the health service's Staff Health / Workforce Immunisation procedure (as amended from time to time) together with any relevant State Government and Departmental directives. This requires all employees to be vaccinated for various diseases such as, but not limited to influenza.