Senior executive opportunity to take carriage of the digital health strategy refresh, embed current systems, leverage data to drive decisions to improve patient outcomes and optimise operational outcomes.
The Brief
In November 2024, Future Leadership was chosen as the preferred search partner to support a large health network in South Australia in appointing an Executive Director Digital Health and Innovation to develop digital business strategies to improve efficiencies in the provision of patient care and overall organisational efficiency.
Our client sought to appoint a highly credible and collaborative technology leader with experience of, or strong working knowledge of digital systems within Australian health care clinical settings. It was essential the successful appointee had proven high level interpersonal and communication skills combined with a demonstrated ability to apply sound analytical skills and strategic thinking to drive and implement change.
Reporting to the CEO, the position would be accountable for the development, implementation, adoption, optimisation, and management of digital initiatives across the organisation that align with the strategic vision and objectives of the health service to enable world-class patient care.
Candidate net Promote 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!
The Process
Partnering with the executive stakeholders, the Future Leadership team, led by Sandra Kerr, conducted an initial briefing to obtain a clear view of the operating environment and the desired skills, experience, and competencies of the ideal candidate.
The briefing confirmed it would be critical for the incoming Executive Director Digital Health and Innovation to demonstrate prior success in delivering and managing a large, complex change management process or environment, preferably in a clinical context. Prior experience in a complex multi-disciplinary organisation was to be essential, as well as proven experience in building a climate of trust when engaging with stakeholders, clients, service providers and peers. Senior management or executive experience in public health at a state or national level would be advantageous, An appropriate tertiary qualification in a relevant field such as health, economics, business management, technology management, or computer science was essential.
A comprehensive search and sourcing campaign was conducted to identify qualified candidates from a national field. The process included behavioural-based interviews aligned with capabilities identified using the Future Leadership Capability Framework, extensive background checks throughout the executive search process (reference checks completed during the process for all shortlisted candidates and additional reference checking on the preferred candidate), as well as social media and qualifications checks.
Emerging Capabilities
Commercial Acumen
Provides a deep understanding of relevant industry, marketplace and business drivers as applicable to the organisation. Leverages the application of commercial tools and frameworks to manage opportunities, conflicts and trade offs. Able to focus on customer service requirements and acts proactively to raise the customer experience.
Stakeholder Relations
Works strategically and systemically to encourage diverse thinking with all types of people. Actively contributes to teamwork, and deliberately builds relationships and networks across a range of people and communities.
Technology Literacy
Adopts a digital mindset whereby technology becomes second nature as an enabler of human nature. Actively builds awareness of technology innovation and mitigates risk of bias, harm, or exclusion. Leverages technology innately to drive innovation, performance, productivity, and efficiency.
Innovation & Creativity
Positively challenges the status quo, expected norms, and workplace paradigms. Contributes new ideas, solutions, and perspectives to current challenges and thinking practices enabling the creation of new products, solutions and opportunities.
Systems Thinking
Systematically breaks down siloes across the operating environment and connects stakeholders to harness convergent ideas. Understands the leverage points of systems change and demonstrates the ability to think beyond known systems.
The Outcome
The successful candidate was confirmed and commenced in the position effective early February 2025.
The successful candidate presented with over 15 years of leadership experience in healthcare consulting, operational management, and digital innovation, along with a proven ability to balance operational sustainability with advancing an ambitious innovation agenda. In their career, they had successfully delivered transformative initiatives that combine strategic vision with practical execution. They also brought an understanding of the political and socio-economic factors impacting public health services in South Australia, including financial sustainability, workforce and recruitment challenges, bed capacity, ambulance ramping, care access for disadvantaged communities, and the deployment of technology to support care delivery.
