Overview

Work Type: Ongoing - Full time

Salary: $142,106 - $142,106

Grade: Grade not specified

Occupation: Occupation not specified

Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs

Reference: 7923

Nurse Unit Manager - Surgical Services

Why Join RMH?

- Full time ongoing position | 80 hours per fortnight
- Collaborate across disciplines to optimise patient flow and achieve service objectives.
- Drive excellence in patient care, workforce development, quality improvement, and service performance

About the role

Surgical Services are seeking a Nurse Unit Manager (NUM) to lead 6 South East, Cardiac & Thoracic surgery and Respiratory medicine.

This is an exciting opportunity for a compassionate and strategic nursing leader who is passionate about delivering outstanding patient outcomes, building high-performing teams and creating a workplace culture where people thrive. You are a dynamic nursing leader who thrives in a complex healthcare environment and is committed to developing people and improving care.

As the Nurse Unit Manager, you will provide visible and accessible leadership to nursing and multidisciplinary teams while maintaining a strong focus on patient-centred care, safety, quality and operational excellence.

Key Accountabilities

- Leading, coaching, and developing a multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality patient care
- Managing day-to-day ward operations including staffing, rostering, and workload allocation
- Supporting patient flow and access through effective bed management and coordination
- Driving quality improvement, patient safety initiatives, and compliance with clinical standards
- Managing workforce performance, recruitment, and staff engagement
- Overseeing budget, resources, and cost centre accountability




- Building strong relationships with medical teams, allied health, and key stakeholders

About You

You are a capable and motivated nurse leader who brings:

- Registered Nurse with current AHPRA registration.
- Proven leadership experience, with a minimum of four years leading teams.
- Demonstrated ability to build and sustain high-performing teams.
- Exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Experience supporting staff development, coaching and performance management.
- Strong clinical governance and patient safety knowledge.
- Financial and resource management capability.
- Ability to lead change, think strategically and solve complex problems.

Desirable

- Postgraduate qualifications in nursing, leadership or management (or working towards).
- Experience in quality improvement, research or innovation activities.

Benefits of Working at RMH

- Meaningful Work
Make a real difference in the lives of patients, families and our community.
- Career Growth
Access learning, development, and diverse career opportunities.
- Supportive Culture & Belonging
Join in a diverse and values-led organisation built on kindness, collaboration and inclusion.
- Innovation
Help shape the future of healthcare through research, technology and new models of care.
- World-Class Excellence
Work alongside leading healthcare professionals at one of Australia's premier public hospitals,



within the Parkville Precinct—one of the world's leading biomedical and research precincts.
- Enjoy great employee benefits
Salary packaging of up to $12,000 tax free and generous leave entitlements, including additional annual leave and a monthly accrued day off for eligible full-time staff (role/EBA dependent)
- Work in the Parkville Precinct
Work in the Parkville precinct with excellent public transport, onsite parking options and access to staff health services.

Interested?

Click Apply to review the full job description and to submit your application, please include a cover letter and resume.

Interviews may commence as applications are received. Early applications are encouraged as the role may close once filled.

All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory Criminal History Record Check and satisfactory Working With Children Check.

The RMH is committed to creating a culturally safe environment as a collective responsibility. We draw on our principles of self-determination, equity, accountability, and shared learning to create a culturally responsive health system that challenges how we strive for continuous quality improvement to meet the expectations of the communities and patients we serve.

RMH is a child safe organisation, committed to upholding the rights, safety, and wellbeing of children and young people in line with the Child Safe Standards.

As a leader in healthcare, we recognise the need to foster a culture of equity, inclusion, and belonging. We encourage people of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities to apply, and will provide adjustments to support equitable participation.

Applications close Thursday 6 August 2026 at 11.59pm

Posted

23 July 2026

📌 Nurse Unit Manager (Melbourne)
🏢 Royal Melbourne Hospital
📍 Melbourne