Regional Operations Manager

Animal Emergency Australia exists to give veterinary professionals a place to do and be their best. Our hospitals operate 24/7, supporting pets and families on their worst days with clinical excellence, compassion and honesty. Behind every moment of exceptional care stands a team—and behind that team stands a Regional Operations Manager who sets the tone, steadies the ship, and brings out the best in people.

We have an opening for a Regional Operations Manager based in Melbourne to lead the regional operations across Hawthorn, Canberra, Hobart, Cannington and Yokine. The role will be partnered closely with Hospital Administrators, Directors, support teams and the COO. You’ll shape performance, culture, safety, and future growth across a group of emergency veterinary hospitals where every decision has impact.
  
What You’ll Lead and Influence
Strategic & Business Leadership
·        Translate AEA’s national strategy into meaningful local action.
·        Set the rhythm, expectations and accountability across multiple hospitals.
·        Grow a region that performs well—and feels great to work in.
People & Culture
·        Develop and coach high-performing Hospital Administrators.
·        Build leadership pipelines and succession plans in each hospital.
·        Foster a culture of safety, compassion, and trust—our Patient-First DNA.
·        Support and mediate escalated people or client concerns with empathy and confidence.
Operational & Financial Performance
·        Lead workforce planning, resourcing, and operational efficiency.
·        Guide hospitals to balance financial discipline with exceptional care.
·        Monitor key operational metrics and intervene early to support success.
·        Standardise and elevate best practice across sites.
Regional Collaboration & Best Practice
·        Connect hospitals together—sharing wins, innovations, and improvements.
·        Deliver national and regional strategic projects through strong partnership with the Hospital Support Advisor.
·        Strengthen GP referral relationships and community engagement initiatives.
Stakeholder Engagement & Compliance
·        Act as the key conduit between hospitals and Head Office.
·        Ensure legislative compliance, risk management, and safety systems are upheld.
·        Provide clear, honest reporting on performance, risks, and opportunities.
  
What You Bring
·        8+ years’ leadership within emergency, veterinary, specialty, healthcare, or complex 24/7 services.
·        Proven multi-site operations leadership success.
·        Excellence in coaching, performance management, and accountability frameworks.
·        Strength in conflict resolution and people leadership.
·        Experience with workforce planning, service delivery at scale, and data-driven decision making.
·        Bonus experience with EOS, operational improvement methodologies, Xero, PowerBI or Anaplan.
  
What We Offer
·        Salary range from $180K -$210K (based on experience) + super + mobile phone
·        $5,000 CPD allowance
·        Generous staff benefits & discounts
·        Leadership development and coaching programs
·        Mental health & wellbeing support
·        Work within a values-driven team that leads with kindness, transparency and growth
·        The opportunity to shape the future of veterinary emergency care in Australia

A Role With Purpose, Scale and Heart
This is a role for someone who wants complexity, challenge, travel, autonomy and a team that genuinely cares about doing good work together. 

Apply now or contact Sarah at [email protected] for a confidential conversation and help us build the future of emergency veterinary care across Australia.