Head of Workplace Health and Safety

About the role

Lead the University’s central Work Health and Safety function, providing governance, strategy and continuous improvement for WHS, injury management and workers compensation across a busy, multi‑disciplinary campus.

Key responsibilities

• Set and deliver the Group WHS strategy, strengthening safety culture and ensuring compliance with the NSW WHS Act and related regulations.
• Guide and develop a team of eight specialists in WHS, injury management, emergency management and hazardous materials.
• Own the University’s WHS framework, including policies, procedures, training, systems, reporting and performance management.
• Manage the WHS operating budget and oversee complex cross‑functional WHS programs and projects.
• Advise senior leaders on WHS and rehabilitation matters and translate analytics into clear reporting for Council and committees.
• Oversee injury management, workers compensation, return‑to‑work processes and external provider relationships.
• Manage regulator engagement, registrations and permits with bodies such as SafeWork NSW, CASA and the Commonwealth Department of Health.

Required profile

• Senior WHS practitioner with extensive experience building mature safety management systems in large, complex organisations.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications or equivalent WHS credentials and a Senior First Aid Certificate.
• Demonstrated ability to influence executives, lead change and deliver organisation‑wide safety transformation.
• Current, practical knowledge of WHS legislation, regulations, codes and standards.

Required skills

• Senior First Aid certification.
• Expert knowledge of NSW WHS Act, regulations and codes of practice.

What we offer

• Salary up to $185,000 plus 17% superannuation.
• Flexible, hybrid work arrangements.
• Subsidised onsite parking, onsite childcare and vacation care.
• Extensive training and professional development programs.
• Discounted health insurance and sport & aquatic centre membership.
• Employee Assistance Program and onsite GP, imaging and physiotherapy clinics.