Title:  Principle Program Manager - Sustainability and Governance

Principle Program Manager – Sustainability and Governance

• Permanent Full Time | 5 weeks annual leave plus monthly day off
• Box Hill Campus | Local parking available, close to public transport
• Reports to The Director Building Services & Capital Delivery

Eastern Health

Eastern Health is one of Melbourne’s largest public health services. We provide a range of emergency, surgical, medical and general healthcare services and have a proud history of serving a diverse community.

Our Employee Value Proposition is “Being a part of Eastern Health means belonging to a welcoming team of healthcare experts”.

This statement aligns with our promise to our communities, patients, consumers and staff that we will be HEALTHIER TOGETHER. Bolder than a vision for the future, our promise calls us to action. We know that working together is the only way we can achieve what is necessary for a healthier future.

About the role

The Principal Program Manager – Sustainability and Governance is a leadership role within the Infrastructure and Capital Delivery Team responsible for driving Eastern Health’s sustainability agenda across capital development, infrastructure, and organisational operations. The role provides governance oversight, and expert guidance to ensure capital projects and organisational programs align with best-practice environmental sustainability, comply with regulatory requirements, and support Eastern Health’s long-term environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives.

This role leads the development and implementation of sustainability strategies, policies, standards, and procedures that influence the planning, design, and delivery of high-value capital construction projects, engineering infrastructure and asset management (planning, renewal and replacement). The position ensures governance frameworks are robust, contemporary, and support accountable, safe, and efficient capital delivery.

Position Dimensions:

• Senior Leadership role with broad organisational influence.
• Responsible for oversight of sustainability initiatives and governance across capital works portfolio.
• May manage a team of sustainability, governance, and project specialists.

About you 

To be successful in this role you will possess:

Essential

Tertiary qualification in Engineering, Architecture, Environmental Science, Sustainability, Project Management, or another relevant field.

Demonstrated experience managing high-value capital construction projects in health, public infrastructure, or similarly complex environments.

• Proven experience developing and delivering environmental sustainability strategies, ideally at an organisational or sector-wide level.
• Strong knowledge of sustainable engineering infrastructure, sustainable design standards, and environmentally responsible construction methodologies.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement capital delivery governance, including policies, standards, procedures, and assurance frameworks.
• Extensive program or project management experience with advanced skills in risk, procurement, budget, and stakeholder management.
• Demonstrated ability to provide authoritative advice to senior leaders and governance groups.
• High-level written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing reports, business cases, and executive briefings.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse professional groups, fostering strong, strategic relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated experience navigating government or public-sector governance processes.
• In-depth understanding of environmental sustainability frameworks (e.g., Green Star, IS Rating System, NABERS, NGERS, climate resilience guidelines, National Pollution Inventory (NP), Environmental Data Management System (EDMS).
• Comprehensive understanding of relevant legislation, building codes, health infrastructure guidance, and environmental regulations.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and drive organisation-wide initiatives.
• Demonstrated capability to influence culture and drive change in complex organisational settings.

Personal Attributes

• Strategic thinker with a commitment to innovation and continuous improvement, with strong problem-solving abilities.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and leadership skills.
• Collaborative, adaptable, and able to navigate complex organisational environments, with the ability to thrive in dynamic environments.
• Highly ethical, with a strong commitment to sustainability, governance, and public value.
• Commitment to Eastern Health values and delivering safe, effective, patient-centred infrastructure solutions.

Healthcare workers are strongly recommended to follow COVID vaccination recommendations provided in the Australian Immunisation handbook (based on ATAGI advice). Seasonal vaccination against influenza is a mandatory requirement of this role and an offer is conditional on this being up to date prior to employment.

What we offer

Eastern Health offers a variety of fantastic Employee Benefits, view the extensive range here!

• Mentor and Shadowing program 
• Access to discovery days across our 50 sites 
• Study and professional development leave 
• Friendly & supportive teams
• Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 
• Fitness Passport for work-life balance 
• Employee Assistance program accessible for you and your loved ones 
• Flexible working hours and excellent entitlements 
• Salary packaging options and an employee benefits scheme 
• Access to Private Health Insurance offers 
• Digital upskilling, such as excel and Power-Bi training 
• Cafes at all of our Hospitals 

Next Steps

Apply online if you feel we are a good match, you have the skills and qualities to make a difference, and are eligible to work in Australia.

We review all applications when we receive them, and we notify unsuccessful candidates.

If you are shortlisted, we will be in touch to arrange an interview, and you must complete a National Police Check.

Good to know:

• We are an equal opportunity employer and actively promote equality for people of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, and for people living with disability – within the communities we serve and our Eastern Health team.
• We provide a culturally safe and welcoming environment for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander employees.
• As a child-safe organisation, we ensure child safety and wellbeing is embedded in our everyday culture.
• Vaccination and screening for immunity to vaccine-preventable disease is a mandatory requirement of this role.
• Advertising may end before the closing date.
• We do not accept recruitment agency application

If you are a current Eastern Health employee please ensure you log in with your internal Eastern Health account to apply for this or other roles.

Please click here for position description link

Contact Person: Karin Nevasalo

Contact Number: 0439 313 913

Contact Email: Karin.Nevasalo@easternhealth.org.au

Job Posting End Date: 18 January 2026

Need help submitting your application?

Just contact the Hiring Manager in the advertisement or call the Talent Acquisition Team on (03) 9955 7555 (Option 1) | Medical Workforce Unit on (03) 9895 3469. [TA for Non Medical roles, MWU for Medical roles]

Click Here for the Candidate Guide also for help in our recruitment process!

Our Values in Action:

Respect for all | Safe always | Partnering in care | Learning and improving every day