Nurse Unit Manager - Catherine's House in South Brisbane, Australia

About the role

Mater Hospital Brisbane is seeking an experienced and visionary Nurse Unit Manager to lead our specialised inpatient service at Catherine’s House , Australia’s first integrated mother and baby unit. This full-time, permanent role offers a rare opportunity to shape statewide perinatal and infant mental health care within a purpose-built, values-driven environment.

As NUM, you will lead a highly skilled multidisciplinary team, oversee both public and private service delivery, and play a pivotal role in advancing an innovative model of integrated mental health care for mothers and infants.

Salary range: $75.40 - $81.09 per hour plus superannuation and access to not-for-profit salary packaging up to $15,900 + access to many staff benefits! 

What you’ll be doing

You will provide inspirational clinical and operational leadership to ensure the delivery of exceptional, contemporary, family-centred care.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the clinical, operational, and strategic direction of the ten-bed inpatient unit, admitted day services, and service support teams.
• Providing expert perinatal mental health nursing leadership, promoting evidence-informed, recovery-focused practice.
• Overseeing financial, workforce, cost-centre and resource management within a robust quality and risk framework.
• Driving the development, implementation and evaluation of policies, guidelines and multidisciplinary practice standards that optimise infant and maternal mental health outcomes.
• Building a cohesive, high-performing multidisciplinary service through strong engagement with psychiatry, allied health, nursing, and statewide mental health partners.
• Leading service-wide continuous improvement, research, and education initiatives to advance integrated perinatal and infant mental health care.
• Facilitating innovative service models and supporting delivery across both public and private pathways aligned to the endorsed Model of Care.
• Embedding a culture of safety, accountability, professional growth and excellence aligned with Mater’s Mission, Values and Behavioural Standards.

About you

You are an accomplished mental health nursing leader who thrives in complex, innovative and values-driven care environments.

You will bring:

• Current AHPRA registration as a Registered Nurse.
• Significant leadership experience in mental health nursing, ideally within perinatal or infant mental health settings.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and foster collaborative, high-performance culture.
• Expertise in contemporary mental health practice, clinical governance, and safe, evidence-informed service delivery.
• Proven capability in operational management, including HR, rostering, financial oversight, and service planning.
• Strong critical thinking, problem-solving and decision-making skills within complex and evolving environments.
• Experience in research, education, or quality improvement (highly regarded).
• Postgraduate qualifications in mental health nursing and/or perinatal mental health (highly regarded).

Why Join us?

Mater is Queensland’s largest not-for-profit network of public and private hospitals and healthcare services, bringing together world-class expertise across healthcare , education , fundraising & philanthropy and research . With more than 14,000 employees, 13 facilities and almost 700,000 patients cared for each year, we're committed to empowering people to live better lives through improved health and wellbeing.

At Mater, our people are at the heart of everything we do. You'll join a values-driven organisation that combines compassionate care with innovation, education and research, creating meaningful career opportunities while making a genuine difference in the communities we serve.

What’s in it for you?

• Career growth opportunities across healthcare, corporate, research and leadership pathways
• Professional development and learning through Mater Education, external partners and internal development programs
• Generous salary packaging to help maximise your take-home pay
• Health and wellbeing support, including EAP, pastoral care and discounted private health insurance
• Fitness Passport access and a range of lifestyle, retail and travel discounts
• Discounted parking and reduced prices at Mater cafés and coffee outlets
• A supportive culture where your contributions are recognised and your development matters

Whether you're looking to grow your career, develop new skills or be part of something meaningful, Mater provides the opportunity to thrive while making a lasting impact.  

Be part of something bigger. Make your move with Mater . #GetBetterWithMater

Applications close Thursday,  8th October 2026 – please note, we may contact applicants prior to the closing date, please do not hesitate to APPLY NOW.

Direct applications only — we are not engaging recruitment agencies at this time. All successful candidates may be required to complete pre‑employment checks (including criminal history, working rights, medical and working with children checks).

Mater offers a safe, supportive, flexible and inclusive workplace where everyone is valued. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and abilities. Visit our Reconciliation webpage . 

Mater ensures all children have an environment suitable for their safety and wellbeing through proper supervision and safeguarding practices.