About the Victorian Institute of Sport

The Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) was set up to assist the development of Victoria’s best athletes. It was established in 1990 by the State Government as a private trustee company, with its Board of Directors appointed by the Victorian Minister for Sport.

The VIS is located at Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park. The VIS headquarters completed a renovation in February 2023, providing a brand new workspace for athletes and staff. It is a non-residential institute, which utilises Melbourne’s outstanding sporting facilities, to allow high performance athletes to live and train in Melbourne, the sporting capital of Australia.

The VIS operates in partnership with National Sporting Organisations and State Sporting Associations to deliver high performance daily training environments (DTEs) for sports and athletes in support of the National High Performance Sport Strategy outcomes. Our facility and staff help prepare and support future and current Olympic, Paralympic, Commonwealth Games and World Champion athletes.

Employee benefits

The Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) provides a supportive work environment for you to be your best whilst supporting Victoria’s best athletes. In addition, all employees have access to:

• 2XU gear to proudly represent the VIS brand
• Friday Staff Sport, to get that competitive energy out and socialise with all staff
• Heavily subsidised Albert Park parking and access to St Ali barista coffee
• Professional development opportunities
• Newly renovated office with ergonomic sit/stand desks and plenty of natural light and open windows
• Free access to gym and pool/recovery facilities

About the role

The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) leads the clinical direction of the VIS Sports Medicine service. The role provides clinical oversight and sets the standards and processes behind high quality medical care for VIS athletes.

The CMO leads the VIS proactive healthcare model with the Director Performance Health, and works with the wider Performance Health team. The role reports directly to the CEO and the VIS Board on clinical, integrity, ethical, legal and reputational matters.

This is an opportunity to lead the VIS Sports Medicine service while continuing to practise. The role brings together clinical leadership and direct athlete care, with scope to expand clinical service delivery. FTE will be agreed with the successful candidate.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Leading and developing the VIS proactive healthcare strategy
• Managing the VIS Sports Medicine team of doctors and nursing staff, and providing clinical advice, supervision and mentoring
• Providing direct care to athletes
• Coordinating annual athlete medical reviews
• Developing and reviewing medical policies, including Anti-Doping, Supplements, Concussion and clinical management protocols, in line with best practice clinical governance and the National Integrity Framework
• Overseeing emergency management protocols and medical equipment, and teaching VIS staff what to do in a medical emergency
• Managing a network of external providers, including cardiology, radiology and general practice
• Supervising specialist trainees (sports physician and nurse practitioner)
• Building sports medicine education for practitioners, coaches, program managers and athletes
• Delivering a CMO report to the CEO and Board twice a year on athlete health, clinical governance and medical integrity
• Working with the Director Performance Health and Performance Health Leads to integrate medical services, with appropriate care for confidentiality and use of the Athlete Management System (AMS)
• Liaising with CMOs at the AIS, across the National Institute Network and at national sporting organisations
• Holding full cost centre accountability for medical services, external providers and equipment
• Contributing to the VIS Research Committee and tracking evidence-based developments in sports medicine

Required qualifications, skills and experience

• MBBS or equivalent
• Active Fellow of the Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians (FACSEP) or equivalent
• Current AHPRA registration to practise medicine in Australia
• At least 10 years’ experience in high performance sport, covering service delivery in daily training environments, administration roles and major events, including Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games
• High clinical standards, and a track record of holding a team to them by modelling them
• Proven ability to bring people with you, including educating athletes and parents to change behaviour that supports health and performance
• Strong working knowledge of the Australian and international sports system
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 and athlete management systems
• Current First Aid certificate

Interested but have questions? The VIS welcomes an early, confidential conversation about the role, how it could be structured and how it might fit your career. 

Contact Daniel Simons, Director People & Community via daniel.simons@vis.org.au to arrange a conversation. 

Expression of Interest Applications close COB Tuesday 24th November 2026.

The VIS is committed to ensuring a safe and inclusive space for all, celebrating our differences where everyone is valued, included and supported. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, identities, ages, and abilities, including those who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and people with a disability. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable opportunities for all, including making reasonable adjustments in recruitment and workplace processes to ensure everyone can perform at their best.

As an organisation, we are committed to protecting children and young people from harm. Anyone involved with the VIS must understand their responsibility in relation to child safety. Our organisation requires all applicants to obtain a ‘Working with Children Check’ before appointment.

The Victorian Institute of Sport acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands across Victoria where sport is played, supported and celebrated. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and to all First Nations communities, recognising their deep and lasting contribution to Australian sport.