Director, Allied Professional Services

Job Purpose

The Director, Allied Professional Services (APS) provides strategic leadership, governance and system-wide alignment for Allied Professional Services across APSN schools and centres.

The role drives consistent professional standards, quality assurance, capability development, research and innovation and integrated service excellence across disciplines including Psychology, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Social Work and other Allied Professional domains.

The Director establishes and sustains a scalable, evidence-informed and integrated professional practice model aligned with APSN's organisational priorities, service excellence goals and long-term strategic direction.

Key Responsibilities

• Set APSN-wide strategy for Allied Professional Services across Psychology, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Social Work and emerging disciplines.
• Establish strong governance and quality assurance through organisation-wide standards, SOPs, practice guidelines, documentation, audits and ethical frameworks.
• Drive consistent, high-quality service delivery that is person-centred, evidence-informed and aligned across APSN schools, centres and Shared Services.
• Lead professional practice and service transformation, including research, innovation, technology-enabled services and data-driven improvement.
• Build workforce capability and professional leadership through supervision, competency development, mentoring, talent management and succession planning.
• Strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration to provide integrated support for persons with disabilities, caregivers and other stakeholders.
• Lead workforce planning, recruitment and performance management, including supporting Schools and Centres in Allied Professional recruitment and ensuring accountability for performance.
• Develop strategic external partnerships with healthcare institutions, Institutes of Higher Learning, community agencies, research organisations and sector partners.
• Own departmental planning and resources, including annual work plans, operating budgets, resource optimisation, grants and strategic funding opportunities.
• Drive measurable organisational outcomes, including stronger governance compliance, improved service quality and stakeholder satisfaction, effective risk management, successful innovation initiatives and enhanced APSN reputation.

Job Requirements

• Master's Degree in Allied Health, Psychology, Social Work, Healthcare Leadership, Public Health, or related field.
• Registered Allied Health Professional or equivalent professional accreditation preferred.
• Strong knowledge of professional governance, quality assurance, service transformation and integrated service delivery models.
• Expertise in Allied Professional practice standards, workforce capability development and system leadership.
• Experience in strategic planning, policy development, organisational transformation and change management.
• Strong understanding of research, innovation, outcome measurement and evidence-informed practice.
• Experience working across healthcare, education, disability or social service sectors preferred.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary or Allied Professional teams within complex organisations.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder engagement skills
• Experience in governance, quality improvement, capability development and service transformation initiatives.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making capability
• Innovation and continuous improvement mindset
• Minimum 10–15 years of relevant professional and leadership experience, with significant senior leadership experience in Allied Professional Services, healthcare, education or social services.