Unit Manager | Maternity Unit at Life Healthcare

• A vacancy exists for a Unit Manager based at Life Beacon Bay Hospital reporting to Heather Purdon, Nursing Manager. The successful candidate will manage, and co-ordinate evidence based clinical practices and resources efficiently by engaging and empowering staff within the unit to achieve the Company’s strategic objectives of Growth, Efficiency, Quality and Sustainability.

Critical Outputs
Clinical Operations and Patient Outcomes

• Lead the delivery of safe, high-quality, evidence-based maternity and neonatal care.
• Drive positive patient outcomes, patient experience, and safety standards.
• Ensure compliance with clinical, regulatory, and professional practice requirements.
• Manage clinical risks and promote effective multidisciplinary collaboration.

Quality Improvement and Clinical Excellence

• Drive compliance with quality, accreditation, governance, and patient safety standards.
• Lead quality improvement initiatives to enhance maternal and neonatal outcomes.
• Monitor clinical indicators, audits, and incidents, implementing improvement actions where required.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and evidence-based practice.

Financial and Resource Management

• Manage resources effectively to ensure cost-efficient, high-quality patient care.
• Optimise workforce utilisation, productivity, and operational efficiency.
• Ensure effective management of equipment, consumables, and unit resources.
• Support value-based care through efficient resource utilisation.

People Leadership and Workforce Development

• Provide visible leadership that promotes excellence, accountability, and compassionate care.
• Recruit, develop, and retain a high-performing maternity nursing team.
• Drive employee engagement, professional development, and succession planning.
• Build workforce capability to meet current and future service needs.

Stakeholder Engagement and Service Excellence

• Build effective relationships with patients, families, medical practitioners, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to optimise patient outcomes and service delivery.
• Promote the professional image of nursing and maternity services.
• Support initiatives that enhance service sustainability and growth.

Governance and Risk Management

• Ensure effective governance, regulatory compliance, and risk management within the unit.
• Identify and mitigate clinical, operational, and reputational risks.
• Promote a culture of safety, ethical practice, and accountability.

Data, Performance and Operational Excellence

• Monitor and analyse clinical, quality, workforce, and operational performance indicators.
• Utilise data and insights to support decision-making and service improvement.
• Ensure accurate reporting and implementation of data-driven improvement initiatives.
• Leverage clinical systems and digital tools to enhance performance and patient outcomes

Requirements

• Nursing diploma/degree with midwifery qualification and at least 5 years post registration experience in a maternity unit.
• Postgraduate qualification in advanced midwifery and nursing education will be an advantage.
• Qualification in Health Services Management is essential.
• ESMOE master trainer status will be an advantage.
• Current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS).
• Updated knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation, industrial relations, standards, codes of ethics, and competency standards.
• Current registration with the South African Nursing Council.

Competencies

• Leading by example:
• Problem solving, conflict resolution, and negotiation.
• Organisational Awareness
• Excellence Orientation
• Engaging diversity
• Ethical behaviour (honesty)
• Verbal & written communication and presentation
• Persuading and Influencing
• Building relationships & networking
• Strategic Communication
• Clinical Governance/Clinical Quality Management and Operations Management
• Information and Communication Technology
• Human Resources Management
• Financial Management
• Strategic and systems Thinking
• Change Management

Deadline:30th October,2026