Director of practice excellence – nursing and midwifery

• Job no: 942624
• Work type: Full time
• Location: Adelaide Metro Southern
• Categories: Administration, Business and Management, Nursing/Midwifery, Public Health
• Salary: $176,010 (Pro Rata) RN5.3 | Ongoing Permanent Full time position

Join our Nursing & Midwifery Leadership Team and drive system-wide excellence in patient‐centred care, frontline leadership and practice innovation across Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (SALHN).

This is a unique opportunity to serve in the Office of the Executive Director of Nursing & Midwifery with a senior system‐wide leadership role focused on driving excellence in nursing and midwifery practice across SALHN. The Director will lead a portfolio of practice excellence initiatives, shape and strengthen ward and unit‐level care across a workforce of approximately 5,500 staff, and focus on frontline leadership, patient‐centred care and continuous improvement.

An essential feature of the role is the design and system‐wide implementation of a Nursing & Midwifery Ward Governance Framework for all inpatient, community and specialty units, establishing reliable mechanisms for ward‐level data collection, visibility and accountability. The Director will oversee practice excellence initiatives that ensure system‐wide excellence in practice and leadership in nursing and midwifery.

The role also provides strategic oversight of Consumer Advisory Services, ensuring patient feedback and consumer experience directly influence service design, governance and organisational improvement. Working closely with executive and clinical leaders, the successful candidate will deliver high‐impact outcomes, build strong stakeholder relationships and lead transformative initiatives that enhance the quality, culture and delivery of nursing and midwifery care across the organisation.

• Lead and coordinate practice excellence initiatives across the network.
• Design and implement the Nursing & Midwifery Ward Governance Framework.
• Oversee data collection, reporting and accountability mechanisms for ward performance.
• Provide strategic oversight of Consumer Advisory Services and incorporate consumer feedback into organisational improvement.
• Build and sustain relationships with executive, clinical, operational and external stakeholders.
• Drive continuous improvement and quality initiatives within nursing and midwifery practice.

• Registered with AHPRA as a Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, holding or eligible to hold a current practicing certificate.
• Extensive senior leadership experience in complex healthcare environments, with a proven track record in quality improvement, practice development and organisational change.
• Highly developed stakeholder engagement, facilitation and influencing skills.
• Strong analytical and program management capability, including translating clinical, workforce and consumer data into meaningful outcomes, reports and service improvements.
• Comprehensive knowledge of leadership development, clinical governance, patient safety, accreditation standards, consumer‐centred care and contemporary healthcare quality improvement methodologies.

• Salary sacrifice benefits to support tax‐effective expense management.
• Flexible working arrangements, including part‐time options, may be discussed.
• Appointment subject to satisfactory Criminal History Check and Immunisation compliance.

Jo Laird, Executive Assistant to Maryellen Dean – Executive Director Nursing & Midwifery. Email:

Advisory: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants are encouraged to apply.

Advertised: 12 Jun 2026, Central Australia Standard Time | Applications close: 28 Jun 2026 11:55 PM, Central Australia Standard Time.