Who Are We?

At MCRI we share a powerful vision; to re-imagine the future of child health. We are the home to many life-changing scientific discoveries. We believe that no question is too impossible to try and answer. We are renowned for our cutting edge focus on early interventions, improved diagnosis, prevention and development of potential cures. Our success is founded on a philosophy of collaboration through a multi-disciplinary approach to solving the toughest questions in child health. MCRI is a proud member of the Australian Network on Disability. We are committed to creating a positive working environment which values all backgrounds and experiences. We strive to foster an inclusive culture that is underpinned by equal opportunity for all and a culture based on respect, consideration and dignity.

Generation Victoria (GenV)

GenV is a world-first initiative aiming to transform the whole of the State of Victoria into a single dynamic solutions platform, breaking down barriers in research to solve pressing questions and translating that into tangible actions that can improve the health, development and well-being of children and their parents.

One of the world’s largest birth cohorts, Generation Victoria (GenV)’s primary objective is to create large, parallel whole-of-state birth and parent cohorts for discovery and interventional research. GenV will be open to all 150,000 babies born in Victoria over two full years from October 2021 following our scale-up to statewide operations. Its design comprises consent; use of existing data and biosamples; augmented with GenV-specific measurement; and a design to maximise its multi-use potential e.g. to support trials, registries, place and community, discovery and health services research at the population level. GenV is one of the MCRI’s most ambitious and high-profile initiatives. Learn more at: www.genv.org.au

Great cohorts need great recruitment. GenV started recruitment at the Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s at Sunshine Hospital in December 2020 and began to scale up to all 589 maternity hospitals from May 2021; as of early September 2021 the 4th of October 2021, it had commenced Statewide operations in 42 and had agreements in place with over 50 of the state’s 59 maternity hospitals. GenV is led from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and is supported by the Paul Ramsay Foundation the Victorian Government, the Royal Children’s Hospital, and the University of Melbourne.

The Opportunity

This is an exciting opportunity for a highly capable Senior Area Manager to join the GenV team to lead GenV’s maternity service engagement and recruitment of participants across numerous maternity hospitals. This is one of 3 positions that will jointly span all Victorian birthing hospitals and is responsible for 24 hospitals in Melbourne’s South East, Hume and Gippsland with line management for the 9 Area Managers at these hospitals who directly supervise their on-site GenV recruiting team. Employed by the MCRI, the Senior Area Manager will be responsible in the first instance for the ongoing engagement and remaining set-up at these 26 hospitals. From late 2021 to late 2023 they will then oversee GenV recruitment across these hospitals, with their staff aiming to approach every baby born in each service over the recruiting period. There is thus a requirement for frequent meetings (both remotely and in person, when COVID allows) to manage the recruitment teams across Victoria. When not traveling (and when COVID permits) each Senior Area Manager will likely be located at one of three base hospital sites around Melbourne (Heidelberg, Clayton and Parkville), as well as spending time at GenV HQ at the Melbourne Children’s Campus.

Your responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• At all times be an ambassador and role model for GenV.
• Manage the GenV Area Managers for your region, creating a team with a positive can-do culture.
• Establish, motivate and each individual, identifying their needs, conducting annual staff competencies and providing performance feedback.
• Ensure appropriate response and support to the team as required.
• Recruit, train and retain Recruiters (project assistants) and Area Managers.
• Conduct performance review (Probation/annual).
• Model and ensure high levels of data literacy, data-related activities and understanding of the value of data among AMs and Recruiters.
• Regional overview and improvement of primary project indicators (eg GenV approach, uptake and recruitment completion rates).
• Compile reports for GenV Head Office, as requested.
• Liaise with GenV HQ to help develop/improve systems for the field and ensure GenHQ operates with the needs of the field team in mind.
• Engagement with department and service heads (maternity, obstetrics, research, neonatology, NUMs, etc.) to gain support and enable recruitment of GenV participants.
• Responsible for site set up and ongoing management with hospital's GenV liaison officer including engagement with hospital Environment Health & Safety, HR, Infection Control, etc.
• Engagement and information provision to clinical teams.
• Work closely with other GenV Cohort 2020s staff, as well as members of the broader GenV program and MCRI.
• Be familiar with, and participate in, local networks (such as relevant hospital groups or other networks).
• Liaise with hospital management from participating hospitals concerning the GenV program, policies and procedures.
• Develop professional relationships with relevant heads of department of midwifery, obstetric, neonatal/paediatric, maternal and child health, and other health professions as relevant.
• Provide in-services/GenV education sessions to hospital staff where applicable.

Selection Criteria

Essential:

• Degree in relevant field (eg Public Health, Nursing, Midwifery, Allied Health or Management).
• Significant experience within clinical environments (5+ years).
• Minimum of five years’ experience in people management.
• Proven capacity to lead, manage and mentor a diverse and dispersed team in order to foster a positive team culture.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, particularly heads of departments, nursing and midwifery staff, succeeding through collaboration and networking.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and professional demeanour.
• Excellent and flexible verbal communication and written skills, enabling clear communication with diverse groups.
• Able to work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Able to support and assist others towards accomplishing goals and tasks.
• Ability to work in alignment with organisational policy and procedures.
• Ability to prioritise workload and manage competing demands.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills.
• Efficient computer skills and the ability to enter data accurately.
• Respectful of the needs of children and families, visitors and other staff and ability to maintain a professional approach to all interactions.
• Demonstrated ability in liaising with health professionals.
• Experience working in a research setting.
• Experience in performance management and conflict resolution.
• Excellent organisational, time management and prioritisation skills – ability to ‘get things done’.
• Experience in project planning, coordinating, operations and quality improvement.
• Experience with staff recruitment and training.
• Experience with database management.
• Experience in handling and caring for young babies.

Desirable:

• An interest in young children and their families, preferably demonstrated through employment and/or choice of research topics.
• Experience working within the paediatric or maternity clinical environment.
• Experience in implementing and operating a new service, research project or change management program within the clinical environment.
• Ability to organise rotating 7-day per week staff rosters.
• Knowledge and experience with agile project design and implementation processes.

What’s in it for you:

• 12 - Month Contract (Possible Extension).
• Full Time.
• Attractive Salary $98,092 - $113,539 per annum + Super.
• Salary Packaging, Well Being Program and much more.
• Flexible working options also available.

Apply Now!!

For a full list of responsibilities and the key selection criteria download the position description.

Only applicants who address the key selection criteria will be considered. In one document place your cover letter, key selection criteria, and resume.

Applications will only be considered when submitted via the MCRI website.

For specific questions not answered in the PD please contact Will Siero [email protected], using the subject line: GenV Senior Area Manager - Eastern Region enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Click apply to proceed with your application.

Position Reference: 30517

On occasions where we receive a large number of applications, we may close the advert ahead of the publicised closing date. We would therefore advise that you submit your completed application as soon as possible.

All applicants please be aware that in line with the Victorian Chief Health Officer’s Directions, all MCRI and VCGS workers must have received at least their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccination by no later than 29 October 2021 and be fully vaccinated by no later than 26 November 2021, unless a medical exception applies.

Applicants will be required to provide their Australian Government COVID-19 Digital Immunisation Certificate/s as part of our pre-employment requirements.

We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, all members of the LGBTQI community and people with disability.

Should you require any specific support or adjustments please talk to us and we will be happy to accommodate.