We are seeking an experienced and motivated Associate Nurse Unit Manager to join a new Forensic Mental Health Hospital in Fairfield, Melbourne.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a new service from the ground up — helping establish a strong clinical culture, support high-performing nursing teams and deliver safe, evidence-based care to people with complex forensic mental health needs.

As an Associate Nurse Unit Manager, you will work closely with the Nurse Unit Manager to provide visible, hands-on clinical leadership across the unit. You will play a key role in coordinating day-to-day operations, supporting your nursing team, maintaining high standards of clinical governance and contributing to the ongoing development of the service.

If you are a confident mental health nurse who thrives in complex environments, leads by example and wants to make a genuine difference, we would love to hear from you.

About the Role

• Coordinating and leading clinical shifts to ensure safe, high-quality patient care.
• Supporting the Nurse Unit Manager with the day-to-day operation of the unit.
• Providing clinical leadership, direction and support to nursing teams.
• Making sound and autonomous clinical decisions in complex and challenging situations.
• Managing staffing, resources and workforce requirements.
• Supporting clinical governance, risk management, quality and patient safety initiatives.
• Leading and supporting responses to clinical incidents, emergencies and complex clinical presentations.
• Coaching, mentoring and developing junior nurses and emerging leaders.
• Promoting a positive, accountable and psychologically safe team culture.
• Working collaboratively with medical, allied health and other multidisciplinary colleagues.
• Contributing to service development, continuous improvement and the establishment of new ways of working.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for an experienced mental health nursing leader who can balance clinical excellence with operational leadership.

You will have:

• Current AHPRA registration.
• A minimum Postgraduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing, or recognised equivalent.
• Eligibility to work in Australia.
• The ability to satisfy required police and security screening processes.
• The ability to meet required immunisation requirements.
• 3+ years' mental health nursing experience.
• 2+ years operating at Senior Clinician, Team Leader or Acting ANUM level.

Experience in one or more of the following environments will be highly regarded:

• Forensic mental health.
• Acute inpatient psychiatry.
• Secure mental health services.
• Psychiatric intensive care.
• Correctional health.
• Clinical leadership within multidisciplinary mental health teams.

Why Apply?

This is more than an opportunity to take the next step in your nursing career.

It is an opportunity to help shape a new forensic mental health service, develop teams, influence clinical practice and contribute to better outcomes for some of the most complex consumers in the mental health system.

You will have the opportunity to:

• Take on a significant clinical leadership position within a new hospital.
• Help establish and embed a strong nursing culture.
• Work within a complex and highly specialised mental health environment.
• Develop your leadership capability alongside experienced clinical leaders.
• Contribute to quality improvement and service development.
• Make a meaningful difference through compassionate, safe and evidence-based care.

Overseas candidates with the right experience are encouraged to apply.

Support can be provided to suitable international applicants who are willing to relocate to Melbourne, Australia, subject to relevant registration, visa and employment requirements.

If you are an experienced mental health nurse ready to step into a leadership role where your expertise, judgement and compassion can make a real difference, we want to hear from you.