Delivering an Executive Search to Appoint a Transformational Clinical Operations Leader for a Major Public Health Service in Melbourne
The Brief
Future Leadership™ was engaged by one of Melbourne’s largest metropolitan public health services to appoint an Executive Director Clinical Operations. The role leads the health service’s most complex and significant operational portfolio, overseeing hospital-based services, clinical programs and a workforce of more than 4,500 FTE.
The organisation sought a seasoned, strategic and resilient executive capable of guiding transformation in a post-pandemic environment, strengthening clinical governance, driving high performance and ensuring safe, high quality, patient-centred care. Key challenges included performance uplift across priority metrics, adapting to shifting demand pressures, and enhancing capability in the next tier of leadership.
This appointment was critical in shaping the organisation’s continued growth, stabilisation and long-term operational effectiveness.
Candidate Net Promoter Score
Future Leadership combines truly personalised relationships with innovative technology solutions to ensure an approachable and efficient process for all our Net Promoter Score across clients, successful candidates and unsuccessful candidates is well above industry standard.
Candidates supported every year
We maintain genuine relationships with past candidates and continue to support them with leadership solutions long term, after they land their role.
Senior Women Appointed since 2002
Over half of the executive search assignments undertaken by our team have resulted in the appointment of outstanding female or LGBTQI+ leaders to high profile roles.
Candidate Retention Rate for 12 months since 2002
Our thorough briefing process and ability to engage passive candidates mean that we go to great lengths to find the right person for the role – long term!
Future Leadership™ undertook a comprehensive executive search process tailored to the public health operating environment and complexity of the role.
Key steps included:
- Briefing and Strategy Development:
A detailed briefing session was held with the Chief Executive and Executive Director People & Culture to clarify strategic priorities, operating challenges, leadership expectations and desired candidate attributes. - Targeted Candidate Search:
A national search commenced immediately post the briefing, targeting senior clinical operations leaders across major health services in Australia and New Zealand. Talent pools included individuals from similarly complex public health environments, candidates identified through Future Leadership networks, referrals from trusted sector contacts, internal applicants and candidates from recent related search assignments. - Candidate Assessment:
All candidates were assessed against essential and desirable criteria set by the health service, including strategic leadership capability, operational excellence, clinical environment understanding, stakeholder influence, financial acumen and resilience. Each shortlisted candidate was evaluated using elements of the Future Leadership Capability Framework, with assessment results incorporated into the Shortlist Report. - Search Governance and Client Engagement:
Internal candidates were considered alongside external talent. The Selection Committee received updates, had the opportunity to suggest additional prospects and reviewed the recommended shortlist prior to interviews.
Future Leadership Capability Framework
Adaptability and Resilience
Demonstrates positivity and the ability to pivot when confronted with change, pressure or disruption, responding effectively to environmental, social and organisational challenges.
Communication and Influence
Articulates messages with clarity and impact to build understanding, inspire action and enable effective information exchange, adapting style to suit diverse audiences.
Organisational Capability
Understands future organisational requirements and identifies opportunities to build capability across teams, developing others and addressing skill gaps to enhance enterprise readiness.
Initiative and Drive
Identifies and implements improvements, delivering high quality work while achieving short- and long-term goals, and contributing to organisational change initiatives.
Commercial Acumen
Applies deep understanding of industry and business drivers, using commercial tools and frameworks to manage opportunities, trade-offs and resource decisions.
Critical Thinking
Gathers, analyses and evaluates diverse information, testing assumptions and reframing problems to provide well‑reasoned insights and informed judgements.
The Outcome
The process resulted in the appointment of a highly credentialled clinical and operational leader with more than 15 years of senior leadership experience within a large, multi‑site metropolitan health service. The appointee brought a rare combination of clinical expertise, operational capability and strategic leadership experience, supported by specialist medical qualifications, a PhD and a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management.
The appointee’s background included extensive oversight of complex clinical programs, organisation‑wide governance responsibilities and leadership during periods of significant system pressure and reform, including guiding major service redesign initiatives and leading sustained quality and safety improvements. They had demonstrated success in managing substantial operational portfolios, maintaining performance within budget, meeting activity targets and implementing whole‑of‑organisation initiatives to improve access and flow. Their experience also encompassed significant engagement with government agencies and peak bodies, supporting evidence‑based decision‑making and system‑level collaboration.
The appointed leader had a well‑established track record developing high performing teams, building leadership capability and fostering a culture of safety, accountability and continuous improvement. With a leadership style described as authentic, calm and constructive, the appointee demonstrated an ability to navigate complex organisational environments and guide teams through uncertainty. This combination of clinical depth, operational acumen, stakeholder influence and strategic foresight positioned the appointee to strengthen the organisation’s executive capability and support continued progress towards its strategic and performance objectives.
