General Manager, Illawarra Hospitals Group

Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District

Lead hospital operations, performance and major service change across the Illawarra Hospital Group.

- Executive role leading 4 hospitals with 700 beds, an $813 million budget & workforce of 3300FTE
- Lead delivery of the new $700 million Shellharbour Hospital
- Shape planning for the future Wollongong Hospital, Health Hub and Wollongong Health Precinct.

The Position The General Manager, Illawarra Hospitals Group (GM, IHG) is a key executive leadership role reporting to the Executive Director, Clinical Operations, with responsibility for the operational leadership and performance of Wollongong, Shellharbour, Bulli and Coledale Hospitals. The portfolio encompasses a combined bed base of more than 700 and an annual budget of $813 million, with accountability for safe, high-quality care, clinical governance, access and flow, workforce, financial performance and delivery against key service targets.

The Group brings together four sites with distinct roles.

Wollongong

Hospital is the District’s major A1 tertiary referral and teaching hospital, with more than 500 beds, a comprehensive range of specialist services and one of the busiest emergency departments in NSW. The current Shellharbour Hospital is a busy acute and mental health facility providing emergency, medical, surgical, renal, and family health services.

Bulli

Hospital and Aged Care Centre specialises in multidisciplinary geriatric, rehabilitation, outpatient and community care, supported by an Urgent Care Centre, while Coledale Hospital provides rehabilitation and specialist aged care services for the northern Illawarra. Collectively, the sites form a diverse and interdependent hospital network serving communities across the Illawarra.

This appointment comes at an important point for the Group. The incoming General Manager will maintain momentum on operational performance while leading significant organisational change, including the delivery and operational readiness of the new $700 million Shellharbour Hospital. The role will also lead planning for the future redevelopment of Wollongong Hospital and the Wollongong Health Hub, helping shape service models,



workforce requirements and infrastructure priorities for the region’s principal tertiary campus.

Success will require visible and credible leadership with clinicians, executives and staff. The General Manager will strengthen clinical engagement, create clarity around priorities and accountabilities, implement an effective hub management model across the four hospitals and build confidence through a period of substantial service and infrastructure change.

The Organisation

Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) provides and coordinates public health services for more than 420,000 people across approximately 5,687 square kilometres, extending from Helensburgh in the north to North Durras in the south and encompassing the Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and Shoalhaven local government areas. One of the region’s largest employers, ISLHD has more than 8,500 staff, operates seven hospital sites and delivers community health services from approximately 58 locations.

With an annual expense budget of approximately $1.26 billion and a budgeted workforce of more than 6,100 FTE, ISLHD delivers tertiary, acute, subacute, mental health, rehabilitation, aged care, community and population health services across a geographically distributed network. The District combines the scale and complexity of a major public health service with close links to local communities, universities, research partners and other health and social care providers.

The successful candidate will bring substantial senior or executive experience leading complex clinical operations within a large hospital or public health service. They will have demonstrated success in improving operational performance, leading organisation-wide change and working in genuine partnership with clinicians to translate strategy and service plans into safe, practical delivery.

Targeted questions

1. Describe a significant organisational change process you have led in a complex hospital or health service.



How did you engage clinicians and other stakeholders in shaping and implementing new models of care, and what lessons would you apply to the operational readiness and planned opening of the new Shellharbour Hospital

2. Provide an example of how you have led operational performance across a large hospital or public health service. What were the key performance, access, quality, workforce and financial challenges, what actions did you take, and what measurable improvement was achieved?

This is an ongoing, full time, Band 1, Health Service Senior Executive (HSSE) role. An attractive remuneration package within the range of $261,286 to $286,980 per annum, with annual performance reviews, will be negotiated with the successful applicant.

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion

At the Ministry of Health, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and flexible workplace which reflects the community and customers we serve. We actively promote the employment of women, people with a disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTIQ community and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

If you identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and would like assistance with your application or to obtain more information on how to apply, please visit The Stepping Up Initiative.

To be eligible for employment in these roles you must be an Australian citizen, or a permanent resident, or a New Zealand citizen, or hold a valid visa with permission to work in Australia.

Additional information

1. For more information on applying visit the Ministry of Health Career portal

2. Please note the selection process will include a range of comparative assessment techniques to assist in determining your suitability for the role.

For more information on the organisation visit: www.islhd.health.nsw.gov.au

Applications close: Monday, 26 October 2026 (11:59pm)

To apply - click 'Quick apply', using reference ISLgnm1026, addressing your cover letter and resume to Michael De Santis, Partner, Future Leadership at [email protected], or call 61 429 058 296 for further information.

A candidate information pack is available to download via Link.

📌 General Manager, Illawarra Hospitals Group (Australia)
🏢 NSW Health
📍 Australia