Chief Executive Officer, Celsus – Royal Adelaide Hospital PPP

Celsus is a private sector consortium that manages and maintains the Royal Adelaide Hospital under a 30-year, Public Private Partnership (PPP) contract with the South Australian Government. The hospital is operated by the public sector (SA Health through the Central Adelaide Local Health Network) which also provides core clinical services, staffing, teaching, training and research. Celsus delivers a range of high-quality facility management services with a patient-centric philosophy, to serve the growing needs of South Australians, while setting the global benchmark for future hospitals.

Celsus is seeking a seasoned and relationship-driven Chief Executive Officer to lead its Adelaide-based team and oversee the performance of one of Australia’s most complex and high-profile health infrastructure assets.

As the key liaison with the State and its Delegates, the CEO will ensure Celsus continues to deliver a best-in-class health services environment, driving performance through a network of subcontractors and delivery partners while upholding the integrity of the long-term partnership.

Reporting to the Chairperson of the Board, the CEO will act as both a strategic leader and a statesperson for the Company, responsible for:

• Leading the interface with numerous State stakeholders.
• Driving high performance across all phases of the project lifecycle.
• Embedding and continued delivery of best practice PPP risk management principles.
• Driving shareholder value and delivering enhanced financial performance.
• Managing complex, multi-layered contracts and associated commercial relationships
• Overseeing downstream delivery partners to ensure quality, compliance, and timely delivery.
• Leading a high-performing team culture based on professionalism, accountability, and collaboration.
• Supporting successful project refinancing activities.

Key attributes of the successful candidate:

• Proven experience in CEO or equivalent senior leadership roles within a project finance, PPP, social infrastructure, or complex construction environment.
• Deep understanding of operational service delivery within a hospital or health infrastructure setting.
• Deep understanding of PPP contractual frameworks and risk allocation.
• Sophisticated stakeholder management skills, with the ability to navigate government relationships and multi-party contract frameworks.
• A strong appreciation of ESG principles.
• A relevant degree in finance, health management, engineering, law, quantity surveying or similar.
• Strategic thinker with strong influencing and relationship-building capability.
• Successful record in leading and inspiring multidisciplinary teams.
• Confident in making commercially effective decisions aligned with long-term project outcomes.
• Highly organised and IT literate with excellent communication skills.

Why Join Celsus?

This is a rare opportunity to shape and safeguard the delivery of critical health infrastructure that directly supports the South Australian community. You will be working with a supportive and experienced Board, overseeing a trusted and respected organisation with a long-term mandate to deliver exceptional value to the public through partnership, innovation, and excellence.

Application

To apply for this role, please send your resume and cover letter to martin.hale@bradfieldassociates.com.au or for a conversation in confidence, call 0410 908837