Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:Parkville location with flexible, hybrid working $140,000 - $150,000 p.a. (depending on skills and experience) + salary packaging + super + five weeks annual leave + monthly ADOsThe Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (Peter Mac) is a Victorian public health service and a world-leading comprehensive cancer centre, dedicated to excellence across all spheres of clinical care, research and education. We are home to the largest cancer research enterprise in Australia and provide treatment to around 40,000 people with cancer each year. Welcoming staff from diverse backgrounds and experiences is integral to fostering innovation and compassion and delivering the best possible cancer care for our patients.At Peter Mac, we believe improvement isnt just a method its a mindset. When our people are supported to learn, grow and innovate, our patients benefit. Were looking for a warm, collaborative and future-focused Improvement Program Manager to help us strengthen our improvement culture and build capability across our organisation. If youre someone who loves partnering with teams, asking thoughtful questions, creating clarity, and helping others see whats possible, youll feel right at home here.Why this role mattersAs our Improvement Program Manager, youll play a central role in helping Peter Mac staff deliver safer, smarter and more connected care. Youll lead the design and delivery of our organisation-wide Improvement Program, using the Safer Care Victoria Model for Improvement to close performance gaps and elevate the patient and staff experience.Youll also be a key leader within the Project Management Office (PMO), helping strengthen project governance, build capability, and coach future leaders in improvement and project management practices. Above all, youll create an environment where curiosity, problem solving, and continuous improvement thrives.This is a role for someone who takes pride in leaving teams stronger than they found them.What youll be doingLeading improvement & building capabilityElevating project governance & supporting leadersProviding strategic leadershipGrowing strong, connected teamsAbout youYoure someone who leads with curiosity, humility and influence. You build trust quickly and enjoy helping teams gain confidence in improvement methods. Youre comfortable moving between strategic, operational and hands-on work and you bring people with you.Youll have:Clinical experience in an acute health serviceFormal qualifications in improvement science, project management or change methodologies (e.g. Model for Improvement, Six Sigma, PRINCE2, Agile, AIM, Prosci)3+ years experience leading improvement and/or project portfolios in complex organisationsExcellent facilitation and communication skills, including training and coaching experienceStrong analytical, problem-solving and influencing skillsExperience managing the full project lifecycle and coaching others using project toolsA solid understanding of hospital operations and the realities of constrained environmentsA warm, approachable style, with the ability to build rapport and maintain effective relationshipsA genuine commitment to collaboration, curiosity and continuous improvementWe offer a range of benefits which support our people both personally and professionally, including:Flexible, hybrid working arrangementsUp to $11,660 in salary packaging to increase your take home payParkville location with public transport options at our doorstep and end of journey facilities for cyclistsDiscounted health insurance and eye careA comprehensive health and wellbeing programOnsite eateries and coffee shops and inviting rooftop gardenPathways for professional development and new career opportunities17.5% leave loading and purchased leave optionsInclusion and belongingPeter Mac celebrates, values and supports a diverse and inclusive environment which reflects our vibrant community. We encourage applications from anyone identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. We also welcome anyone who identifies as LGBTQIA+, linguistically, culturally and/or gender diverse, people with disability, and people of any age to apply for our roles.Ready to help us deliver world-class cancer care?If youre passionate about improvement and project management, love helping people grow, and want to make a tangible difference for patients, staff and our community, wed love to hear from you.We warmly invite you to apply and encourage your early application. All appointments are made subject to satisfactory police check and may require a valid Working with Children Check. Many staff are required to be vaccinated against, or demonstrate immunity to, COVID-19, influenza, and a range of other diseases.Apply now! Introduce yourself with a cover letter and resume and help us build the next chapter of improvement at Peter Mac.Note: This advert may close earlier if the right candidate has been recruited.For a confidential discussion about this role, please contact Joanne Donovan | Director, Project Implementation 0437 198 640 or [email protected] close on the 22nd February 2026______________________________________________________________________________________________________Position SummaryThe Improvement Program Manager is responsible for providing an expert business improvement advisory service to Peter Macs operational leadership and front-line staff. A key responsibility of this position is to lead the development, delivery and evaluation of staff improvement capability building programs designed to support Peter Macs quality improvement and innovation agenda, whilst supporting the development of improvement and project skills in future leaders aligned with the organisations strategic priorities and patient-centred outcomes.The Peter Mac Improvement Program is an organisation wide program that employs the Safer Care Victoria (SCV) endorsed Model for Improvement methodology, to identify and eliminate business performance gaps impeding the delivery of world-class cancer care. In addition, the Improvement program manager supports the Director, Project Implementation and the Project Management Office (PMO) by:Supporting the development, implementation and adoption of new PMO operating procedures, templates and workflows to enhance project governance and return on project investment at Peter Mac.Acting as the PMO Contact role supporting and coaching designated project sponsors and project managers in how to establish good project documentation, planning, governance processes and ensures accurate and timely status reporting.In addition, the Improvement program manager is accountable for the human resource management of the Improvement Advisor/s.Health and Allied Services, Managers and Adminstrative WorkersClassification or Salary RangeGrade 6: HS6Category B: Position unlikely to have contact with blood or other body fluidKey RelationshipsInternalThe Executive teamClinical and Operations DirectorsFinance Business PartnersDirectors of ICT and HISClinical Governance TeamEMR teamIMCT/Digital Health Program teamSenior Clinical Staff and Departmental ManagersPeople and Change Business PartnersFront Line staffExternalSafer Care Victoria (SCV), Culture and Capability ProgramThe Integrated Cancer Services and in particular Western and Central Melbourne Integrated Cancer Service (WCMICS)EducationSkillsPrevious experience working as a clinician in an acute health serviceSubstantial (3+ years) as an improvement advisor leading business improvement projects and/or project management portfolio demonstrating ability to develop creative solutions to complex organisational problems.Graduate qualifications in a clinical discipline +/- health services management, project management or other relevant qualifications. Competent in Excel using data, run charts +/- control charts to determine if change in system performance is signalling improvement.Formal qualification in improvement science/project management and or change management methodology for example, SCV Model for Improvement or Improvement Coach, Green or Black Belt Six Sigma, PRINCE, Agile, AIM or ProSci.Demonstrated leadership skills with ability to work at a strategic, tactical, and operational level within a complex organisation.Strong analytical capabilities and influencing skills to ensure enthusiasm and commitment of leaders and staff across the organisation to implement effective improvement projects.Ability to build rapport, negotiate and maintain effective relations with key internal and external stakeholders.Exceptional communication and group facilitation skills and experience in the delivery of online and face-to-face training and coaching in improvement methods.Demonstrated ability to initiate and drive projects to their completion. Proven change management capabilities as demonstrated in previous achievements.Comprehensive understanding of hospital and health service operations, priorities, and constraints.Experience in managing and governing the full project lifecycle from idea to closure with ability to coach others in project management tools and techniques.Experience in the application of techniques to engage consumers.The ability to work autonomously and to strict deadlines but to also contribute effectively as a team member within a multidisciplinary team environment.Positive attitude and commitment to the organisation with demonstrated behaviours that reflect the organisations values.Advanced data analysis skills.Experience establishing or maturing a PMO or improvement functionExperience in co-designCertifications, Licenses & RegistrationsKey AccountabilitiesKey Accountabilities Demonstrated By / Key Performance Indicators1. Leadership and GovernanceRepresent the PMO in internal and external forums when delegated by the Director, Project ImplementationLead day-to-day coordination of the Improvement Program, ensuring alignment with organisational strategy, PMO, governance frameworks, and reporting requirementsAct in the capacity of Director, Project Implementation during periods of absence or as delegated, ensuring continuity of leadership, decision-making, and maintenance of project governance and reporting functions.2. Lead advisor on business improvement methodologyProvide and undertake an annual review of project management tools and methods.Support and/or codesign development and implementation of improvement and PMO methodologies, frameworks, and tools to improve consistency, transparency, and accountability in project delivery.3. Improvement capability building programs for staffProvide and undertake an annual review of the Improvement Capability programsDesign, implement and evaluate improvement programs that enhance service delivery, efficiency, safety, and patient and staff experienceApply and coach improvement science methodologies to drive measurable outcomesFormal evaluation of Improvement coaching programs impact4. Strategic support for operations executive and departmental managers to deliver successful strategic projects and local improvement projectsEmploy a full suite of project scoping and management documentation in line with organisation endorsed PMO and Improvement methodology.Participate in the development of business cases and grant applications to support business improvement initiatives.Support the integration of improvement practices into daily operations across departmentsLead or oversee high-impact strategic projects and improvement initiatives on behalf of the PMO.Provide expert consultancy, facilitation, and problem-solving support to project sponsors and teams.Monitor project performance, risk, and benefits realisation, providing insights to executive and governance committees5. Role model and foster a culture of continuous improvementPromote continuous improvement culture, as evidenced by feedback from staff, peers, and leaders (e.g. via engagement surveys or 360 feedback).Actively mentors and supports staff to apply improvement methodologies, with feedback from team members and project participants.6. Participate in SCV collaborative''s, and communities of practice (COP) encouraging Peter Mac''s participation in bothTimely response to all SCV communications.Active participation in networking events, workshops, training opportunities and collaborative projects.Promotion of SCV initiatives including participation in relevant collaboratives and providing support for applications to SCV Collaboratives and Fellowship programs.7. Accountable for management of the improvement team and cost centreEffectively manages team resources and workloads to ensure timely and high-quality delivery of improvement initiatives.Monitors team performance against agreed goals, KPIs, and project milestones; proactively addresses underperformance and recognises achievements.Builds team capability through coaching, mentoring, and performance management; ensures staff have the skills, tools, and support to deliver improvement projects effectively.Provides clear strategic and operational leadership to the Improvement team, aligning work plans with organisational priorities, clinical governance frameworks, and health service improvement objectives.Delegated cost center management as required.______________________________________________________________________________________________________For further information about this opportunity, click Apply to be redirected to the Peter Mac Careers page where you can review the position profile. Alternatively, please contact us for a confidential discussion.Peter Mac is a child safe organisation and has a commitment to child safety and wellbeing.WHY WORK FOR PETER MACPeter Mac offer a range of benefits which support our people both personally and professionally.Our staff benefits include award winning facilities, professional development and events, a health and wellbeing program, flexible work practices and policies and financial benefits such as salary packaging.We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, all members of the LGBTQI community and people with a disability.The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre acknowledges the traditional owners of the land on which our five sites are located throughout Victoria. We recognise their strength and resilience and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. #J-18808-Ljbffr
Job Title
Improvement Program Manager