Base salary from $135,406 per annum (as per Enterprise agreement NUM Grade 1) + 12% superannuation + access to salary packaging via Maxxia to maximise your take home pay (including venue hire, meals, entertainment and novated leasing).
Permanent full-time opportunity
Be part of Australia's only university-owned academically integrated healthcare organisation where professional development, ongoing education and career progression are supported and encouraged
Lead perioperative excellence and shape the future of patient-centred care at Australia's most innovative academic health precinct
Macquarie University Hospital is seeking an experienced and inspiring Nurse Unit Manager to lead the Orthopaedic Institute's (TOI) Pre-op, Anaesthetics and Recovery Team on a permanent, full-time basis. This is a unique opportunity to bring your clinical expertise and leadership to a role where you will directly influence the quality, safety and efficiency of perioperative services within Australia's only university-owned teaching hospital.
Reporting to the Service Manager, you will be instrumental in driving optimal patient outcomes and fostering a culture of high-quality, evidence-based nursing care. Your leadership will empower a skilled multidisciplinary team, ensuring every patient receives compassionate, coordinated care from pre-admission through to recovery. If you thrive on operational excellence, team development and continuous improvement, this is the role for you.
About the Role
As Nurse Unit Manager, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across the Pre-op, Anaesthetics and Recovery Unit. Your key responsibilities will include:
Overseeing the day-to-day operations of the unit, ensuring safe, efficient patient flow and smooth clinical workflows.
Leading, mentoring and developing a high-performing perioperative nursing team to deliver outstanding patient care.
Driving quality improvement initiatives and embedding evidence-based practice throughout the unit.
Managing workforce planning, rostering and resource allocation to ensure cost-effective service delivery.
Collaborating with surgeons, anaesthetists, allied health professionals and broader hospital teams to maintain seamless multidisciplinary care.
Ensuring compliance with all relevant clinical governance standards, policies and regulatory requirements.
Fostering a positive, inclusive and supportive team environment where staff feel valued and empowered to excel.
About Us
Macquarie University Health is a trailblazer in healthcare, education and research. Australia's first and only fully integrated academic health sciences centre brings together Macquarie University Hospital, Clinics and the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences at Macquarie University. Our perioperative services are delivered in state-of-the-art operating theatres and recovery facilities, supported by a collegiate environment and a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. We are proud to foster a culture where clinical excellence meets continuous learning, and where every team member is empowered to contribute to better health outcomes.
About You
You are a dynamic and collaborative perioperative nursing leader who is passionate about clinical excellence and team development. You bring a proven ability to manage complex unit operations while maintaining the highest standards of patient safety and care quality.
Selection Criteria
Previous team lead experience in Perioperative Services, including a minimum of two years' management experience in a relevant department.
Demonstrated effective leadership skills with the ability to take initiative in resolving issues and driving positive outcomes.
Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to align diverse priorities and ensure multidisciplinary teams work efficiently toward shared goals.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills within a multidisciplinary clinical environment.
Proven motivational, problem-solving and people leadership capabilities.
Strong commitment to quality improvement initiatives and evidence-based practice.
Ability to foster positive, inclusive working relationships and build a supportive team culture.
Role-Specific Conditions:
Working with Children Check for NSW (please provide your WWCC documentation when submitting your application)
Immunisation and vaccination record
Current and active AHPRA Registration
Medical indemnity with a recognised provider
How to Apply
To be considered, please apply online with your CV and a cover letter outlining how your experience aligns with the selection criteria (above).
Applications Close: Sunday, 29th March 2026, 11:59pm
**We reserve the right to progress or not proceed with applications prior to the closing date, and to close the advertisement early if required**
**Please note this position is only open to Australian citizens, permanent residents and those currently residing in Australia with full working rights**
General Enquiries: Bill Egarchos, Talent Acquisition Consultant, bill.egarchos@mq.edu.au
Why Join Us?
You'll play a key role in shaping the future of integrated healthcare in Australia. You'll join a supportive, collaborative team that is committed to delivering innovative, patient-centred care backed by world-class research and teaching.
At Macquarie University Health, we know working together leads to better health outcomes. This happens when clinicians, researchers, students and staff unite to improve lives through compassionate, coordinated, effective care that is centred around the patient. We are celebrating our 15-year anniversary.
As Australia's first fully integrated academic health precinct on a university campus, we translate research into faster diagnoses, better treatments and integrated, evidence-based recovery pathways. In this environment, our students receive unique, hands-on learning experiences. That's how we Heal. Learn. Discover. ™
We offer fantastic range of Employee Benefits including:
Salary sacrifices options and excellent salary packaging benefits (including venue hire, meals, entertainment and novated leasing) so you have great potential to maximise your income working for us
Post graduate study and ongoing education support through scholarship programs
Macquarie University Childcare at a reduced staff rate
Extensive Macquarie University facilities including sporting facilities, gym and pool
More information about our employee benefits can be found here.
Pre-Employment Checks
Macquarie University Health cultivates a workplace defined by safety, ethical conduct, and strong integrity. Prior to completion of an offer of employment, preferred candidates will be required to participate in a combination of pre-employment checks relevant to the role they have applied for.
Your employment is conditional upon the completion and maintenance of all role-required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to Macquarie University Health.
If you're already part of the Macquarie Group (MQ University, U@MQ, MQ Health, MGSM), you'll need to apply through your employee Workday account. To apply for this job: Login to Workday and go to the Careers App > Find Jobs.
Applications Close:
29/03/2026 11:59 PMA Place Where You Belong
At Macquarie, we believe diversity makes us stronger, inclusion drives our success, and belonging inspires us to do our best work. We are proud to foster a community where different backgrounds, identities, and experiences are valued, and where our people are empowered to thrive through supportive leadership, shared responsibility, and a deep commitment to genuine care and respect for our community. Find out more about our vision for a truly inclusive workplace in our Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Framework.
Learn More
Discover the unique career opportunities we can offer by visiting our Careers Page.