General Manager Armidale Hospital

Shape the future of healthcare in a high-profile leadership role with freedom to make a difference.


Employment Type: Permanent Full Time
Position Classification: Health Manager Level 5
Remuneration: $173,345 -$193,906 per annum + 12.5% Super + Salary Packaging
Hours Per Week: 38hrs/week 
Requisition ID: REQ618318
Closing Date: Monday, 1st of December


Interviews to be held tentatively on December 5th

“This role offers a strong sense of purpose, the chance to make a real impact on rural and regional healthcare, and the opportunity to work in a challenging yet rewarding environment with a highly collaborative and supportive team. 

Located in Armidale—a vibrant regional hub with stunning natural beauty, four distinct seasons, and a rich local food and café culture—the experience is truly exceptional.” 

– Lisa Ramsland (General Manager)

About the Opportunity

Hunter New England Local Health District is seeking an experienced, strategic and hands-on General Manager to lead Armidale Rural Referral Hospital, one of the region’s most critical acute care facilities serving the New England Northwest.

This is a rare opportunity to shape patient outcomes, strengthen staff culture, and influence the future of rural healthcare during a time of reform and growth opportunities. If you’re driven by purpose, committed to excellence, and ready to make a meaningful impact in a proud regional community, we want to hear from you.

About the Role

The General Manager is a high-impact leadership role responsible for driving the strategic direction, performance, and culture of the facility. You will set the vision, lead operations, and ensure our community receives safe, high-quality, and efficient care — while stepping in hands-on when it matters most. 

Working closely with clinical and corporate teams, you’ll inspire engagement, strengthen partnerships, and lead improvements that lift patient experience and staff wellbeing. Reporting to the Executive Director, Operations HNELHD, you will be the driving force that brings NSW Health priorities to life locally, creating a high performing environment where people and services thrive.

About Us 

Armidale Rural Referral Hospital is a key acute care facility within Hunter New England Local Health District, proudly serving the New England Northwest region. As a 99-bed referral hospital, we provide a wide range of services including emergency care, medical and surgical services, maternity, paediatrics, mental health, rehabilitation, allied health and specialist rural outreach. 

Our team is known for its strong clinical capability, supportive culture, and commitment to delivering safe, person-centred care to our diverse communities. We work closely with partner facilities, primary care, and regional services to ensure coordinated, high-quality healthcare.

You’ll be supported by an experienced executive leadership team with clear accountability structures and regular executive meetings to ensure alignment and informed decision-making.

Why Choose Armidale

Armidale is more than a career choice — it’s a life upgrade. It’s trading traffic for tree-lined streets, crowds for community, and stress for space to breathe. Armidale gives you the chance to build a meaningful career while enjoying a lifestyle that actually feels good: crisp mornings, country cafés, top-tier schools, bushwalks on your doorstep, and a community that genuinely looks after one another. 

It’s a place to buy a home, raise a family, reconnect with nature, and still enjoy great food, strong services, and opportunities to grow. If you’re ready for work–life balance that finally lives up to its name, Armidale is the move that makes sense.

What You’ll Need to Succeed

We’re looking for a dynamic, forward-thinking leader who can energise teams and confidently lead through complexity and change. 

You will bring:

• Extensive executive-level leadership experience within health services, with a strong background in health administration, strategic development, and driving complex change at a senior level.

• Highly developed consulting, negotiation and collaboration skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with internal teams, external partners, and the broader community.

• Strong understanding of Financial Management, Activity Based Funding (ABF), workforce planning, clinical governance principles, and the Australian healthcare system, including relevant regulations.

• Transformational leadership ability, with a track record of inspiring teams, building engagement, and creating a shared vision and commitment to organisational goals.

What We Can Offer You 

At Hunter New England Health, enjoy a career where you're challenged by interesting work and surrounded by spectacular locations. 

Join the team enriching health in millions of ways every day:

• Sustainable Healthcare: Together towards zero

• 14 Weeks Paid Parental Leave

• Proximity to shopping and other services

• ADO's each month (for full time employees)

• 4 weeks annual leave (pro-rata for part time employees)

• Superannuation contributions

Need more information? 
  1) Click here for the Position Description 
  2) Find out more about applying for this position
For role related queries or questions contact Susan Heyman on susan.heyman@health.nsw.gov.au