"Rural Health Innovation Program Lead (UDRH)-HEO8"

Job Description:

• Full -Time, Fixed Term position until 31 December 2026
• Regional Preferred Location
• HEO8 Classification Level
• Base salary from $115,566 + 17% superannuation

About the position

La Trobe University, through funding from the Australian Government's RHMT program, provides rural health training for students, promotes evidence-based rural training strategies, and works to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

This position involves designing and leading innovative placement models that redefine rural health education, such as pop-up clinics, interdisciplinary school-based placements, and tele-supervision for remote students. It acts as a bridge between community needs and university systems, brokers partnerships with diverse local organisations, and develops scalable models for wider adoption. Responsibilities also include securing and managing external funding, championing digital innovations in placements, shaping the public narrative of rural health through sector reports and communications, and fostering a culture of experimentation and continuous improvement within the Lab.

Skills and Experience

To be considered for this position, you will have:

• A degree with substantial extension of the theories and principles, learned through experience; or a range of management experience; or postgraduate qualifications, or progress towards postgraduate qualifications with extensive relevant experience; or an equivalent alternate combination of relevant knowledge, training and/or experience.
• Proven ability to build and sustain cross-sector partnerships with academics, health services, councils, and community organisations in rural contexts.
• Expertise in designing, implementing, and evaluating innovative placement models, including community-based, interdisciplinary, and digitally supported approaches.
• Strong change management and leadership skills, with demonstrated capacity to influence stakeholders and drive innovation within complex university and health systems.
• High-level program design and project management skills, including planning, coordination, evaluation, and delivery of initiatives that balance student, community, and institutional needs.
• Strong data analysis and evaluation capability, including the ability to establish measurement frameworks and translate findings into actionable improvements.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to translate between community aspirations, student learning requirements, and academic priorities.
• Proven ability to secure and manage funding/resources to support innovative projects, including grant writing and budget oversight.
• Knowledge of rural health, community development, and higher education systems, with the ability to adapt initiatives to diverse regional and rural contexts.

Please refer to the Position Description for other duties, skills and experience required for this position.

PD - Rural Health Innovation Program Lead (UDRH)-HEO8.pdf

Benefits

• 17% employer contributed superannuation
• On site child care facilities
• Flexible work arrangements
• Discounts for staff and their family members to study a range of La Trobe courses

How to apply

Only candidates with Full Working Rights in Australia may apply for this position.

Please submit an online application ONLY and include the following documents:

• An up to date resume; and
• Cover Letter

Please scroll down to apply.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants

We welcome and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

La Trobe University is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce. We take an intersectional approach by actively supporting and encouraging people of all backgrounds and abilities to submit an application and aim to ensure that the recruitment and employee experience is as accessible and inclusive as possible. Flexibility in interview format will be offered to shortlisted candidates.

All La Trobe University employees are bound by the Working with Children Act 2005. If you are successful, you will be required to hold a valid Victorian Employee Working with Children Check prior to commencement.