The Hospital
The Royal Children's Hospital's (RCH) Vision is "A world where all kids thrive".
RCH is a cornerstone member of the Melbourne Children's Campus, partnering with Murdoch Children's Research Institute, The University of Melbourne Department of Paediatrics and The Royal Children's Hospital Foundation.
RCH has cared for the children and young people of Victoria for more than 150 years since it was founded in 1870. A full range of paediatrics and adolescent health services are provided plus tertiary and quaternary care for the most critically ill and medically complex patients in Victoria, Tasmania, southern NSW and other states around Australia and overseas. The Hospital has more than 6,000 staff, a budget of $850M, 12 wards and 350 beds. Annually, the RCH has 300,000+ Specialist Clinic appointments, 90,000+ Emergency Department presentations and 20,000 elective surgeries.
The RCH is committed to the Child Safe Standards.
RCH enjoys high employee engagement and is committed to staff safety and a positive culture through enactment of our Compact.
Nurse Unit Manager (NUM) - Cardiac and Renal Services
* Excellent employee benefits including salary packaging
* Hub of medical precinct in Parkville, Melbourne
* Work for Australia's leading Children's Hospital
About The Role
Koala Ward (Cardiac and Renal Services) is seeking an experienced and motivated Nurse Unit Manager to lead our 30‐bed paediatric cardiac and renal unit. This role provides operational, clinical, and professional leadership to a high‐performing multidisciplinary team caring for infants, children and adolescents with complex and critical cardiac and renal conditions. You will oversee daily ward operations, workforce management, patient flow, financial stewardship and quality improvement to ensure safe, high‐quality, patient‐ and family‐centred care. This is a Permanent Full Time position at 80 per fortnight within the Koala Ward (Cardiac and Renal Services).
Classification for this position will be NM11 (FTE base salary $137,966.4 per annum, plus superannuation).
What You'll Achieve
* Provide visible, effective nursing leadership that supports evidence‐based, safe and compassionate care.
* Ensure high standards of clinical practice, compliance and patient experience.
* Lead operational performance including staffing, resource allocation, budget oversight and service delivery efficiencies.
* Use data and health information systems to drive quality outcomes, monitor performance and inform improvement initiatives.
* Foster a positive, supportive culture that encourages teamwork, learning and professional development.
* Strengthen communication and collaboration across clinical teams, internal stakeholders and organisational committees.
Essential Your Skills and Experience
* Current registration as a Registered Nurse with AHPRA/NMBA.
* Demonstrated management or leadership experience within a clinical setting.
* Commitment to ongoing professional development (CPD/PPP evidence).
* Relevant postgraduate qualification (or working towards).
Desirable
* Master's qualifications.
* Additional education or training in leadership or management.
* Strong communication, stakeholder engagement and team‐building skills.
* Understanding of health service operations, budgeting, staffing and national safety & quality standards.
If this sounds like you, or you would like more information, please click here for the position description.
About The Department
Koala Ward is a specialised 30‐bed paediatric unit providing state‐wide tertiary and quaternary care for children with complex cardiac and renal conditions. The unit supports patients from newborn to adolescent age and includes high‐dependency beds and post‐operative care areas. Services include management of pulmonary hypertension, peritoneal dialysis, ventricular assist devices, cardiac and renal transplantation and other advanced therapies.
Our team is dedicated to delivering high‐quality, evidence‐based care in a supportive, collaborative and family‐centred environment.
Application Process
To apply, you will need a resume and a tailored cover letter outlining your skills, experience, and suitability for the position in line with the requirements of the position description. Shortlisting for this position will commence immediately, we encourage you to apply promptly!
For more information about this position please contact Carmen Barry via mobile phone: 0403 835 810 OR email:
Why work at the RCH?
RCH enjoys high employee engagement and is committed to staff safety and a positive culture through enactment of our Compact. We offer the opportunity to work in world‐class facilities, surrounded by Royal Park and only a short tram trip from the heart of Melbourne city.
We also offer staff benefits such as discounted staff parking, salary packaging, and an award‐winning health and wellbeing program.
The RCH is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally and/or linguistically diverse background, all members of the LGBTQI community and people with disability.
It is a requirement of your employment that you be vaccinated against Influenza annually for Category A and B roles, in compliance with any public health orders in place at the relevant time, unless you have a medical exception in line with those public health orders, which has been accepted by The Royal Children's Hospital. Applicants will be required to provide their Australian Government Immunisation History Statement, it is a requirement of the RCH to collect, record and hold vaccination information.
It is also a requirement of your employment that you comply with any direction given by The Royal Children's Hospital that you be vaccinated against, or prove immunity to, any other disease, unless you have a relevant exemption, and offers of employment are conditional on successful completion of background checks including reference checks.
Are you ready to join our team?
Apply online by clicking on the "Apply" button
Applications close 30 March, 2026.
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