• Full-time
• Salary Negotiable (Depending on Experience)
• Reports to Union Secretary
• South Melbourne, Victoria

The Health Workers Union employs 38 staff and has approximately 14,500 members.

The Health Workers Union represents Victorian health workers such as hospital ward and administration clerks, storemen, kitchen, cleaning and domestic services staff, personal care workers, disability workers, pathology collectors, aged care workers, laboratory assistants, research staff and technicians from various disciplines. The position is based in our South Melbourne office.

The primary role of the Health Workers Union is to protect and advance the working conditions of its members across the health industry. It also places strong emphasis on caring for members’ safety as well as fighting for their rights and entitlements.

Job description:

The General Manager will be responsible for overseeing the operations of the company. They will play a pivotal role by leading the management of the company, overseeing the work of the media and marketing team and coordinating company administration. They may do this on their own or through a team of senior executives. The General Manager will provide leadership for the achievement of policy objectives and increased profit.

Main Responsibilities:

The General Manager will perform the following tasks or as directed by the State Secretary:

• Direct and coordinate activities of business or departments concerned with the union.
• Planning policy, and setting standards and objectives for organisations.
• Providing day-to-day direction and management of organisations, and directing and endorsing policy to fulfil objectives, achieve specific goals, and maximise profit and efficiency.
• Authorising the funding of major policy implementation programs.
• Representing the organisation at official occasions, in negotiations, at conventions, seminars, public hearings and forums, and liaising between areas of responsibility.
• Selecting and managing the performance of staff.
• May undertake responsibility for human resources and other specialist operations.

Education Qualifications:

Skill level commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification beneficial. At least five years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualification. In some instances, relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

Skills & Abilities:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills with an attention to details.
• Interpersonal and intercultural competencies.
• Professional appearance and presentation skills.
• Excellent telephone manners and advanced computer skills.
• Highly organised and punctual.
• Highly developed analytical and organisational skills.
• Well-developed multi-tasking abilities, problem solving, communication and decision-making skills.
• Ability to develop and implement plans and manage projects.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills and ability to demonstrate and model active listening, strategic questioning and motivational techniques.
• Ability to facilitate group learning and work one-on-one.
• Ability to work under stress, autonomously and as a member of a team.
• Ability to mentor and assist in the development of others.
• Self-motivated, creative and initiative.

Personal Attributes:

• Commitment to the values and principles of trade unionism.
• Respect and value for the cultural and social diversity both within the workforce and the community.
• Commitment to the aims and objectives of trade unions, as well as a strong interest in political systems.
• Knowledge of the key issues that affect specific trade unions and social, economic and political issues.
• Excellent research skills - the ability to understand and interpret complex material and produce clear and concise written information and oral briefing.
• Strong communication, interpersonal and networking skills.
• Ability to analyse statistics and produce tables and graphs.
• Good time management skills to handle projects alongside day-to-day tasks.

Key Selection Criteria:

• Demonstrated commitment to the values and principles of trade unionism and an ability to work with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Sound ability to identify and implement personal work practices that promote efficient self-organisation, accountability and learning.
• Being an active listener - giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Management of Personnel Resources - Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
• Management experience.
• Relevant Degree or qualification (e.g. in business, legal, commerce, administration, management, community development, human resources) or equivalent work experience.
• Knowledge of Human Resource Management.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both verbally and written.
• Strong people skills – team work, facilitation, supervision.
• Ability to work flexibility and creativity in a demanding industrial union environment.

Knowledge & Experience:

• Demonstrated experience within the trade union movement.
• Administration and Management - knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
• Customer and Personal Service - knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Law and Government - knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
• Personnel and Human Resources - knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
• Communications and Media - knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

Key Performance Indicators:

• Management and ownership for the performance of the senior management team, and that senior management team ensures the union serves members to a high standard.
• Awareness of and ability to meet all compliance measures under relevant legislation and regulation.
• Achievement of media outcomes for the Union, the State Secretary and for the members.
• Promotion of union values, principles and policies of the union.
• Adherence to Union administrative practices and policies.