Lead Governance & Access to Information

About the role

A local government council in Sydney's south, serving more than 160,000 people, is seeking an experienced governance professional to lead its Governance and Access to Information functions. Reporting to the Manager Governance & Risk, the role leads the Governance & Information teams and ensures robust, transparent and compliant decision-making across the Council. It is a senior position with a significant level of autonomy.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and implement the Council's governance framework and advise the Executive and staff on governance, legislation, delegations, probity and statutory requirements.
• Lead the Governance & Information functions and support a multidisciplinary team.
• Oversee business papers, including agendas, minutes and action tracking.
• Coordinate formal, informal and internal reviews of access to information and GIPA applications.
• Manage governance registers covering GIPA, delegations, donations and sponsorship, and conflicts of interest.
• Lead the development, implementation and review of the Council's Policy Framework.
• Advise on the Code of Conduct, Code of Meeting Practice and Public Interest Disclosures.
• Support processing of GIPA applications, subpoenas and other access to information matters.
• Monitor statutory and regulatory reporting, including the OLG compliance calendar.
• Support election responsibilities and ward boundary reviews, and train officials on ethical standards and governance.

Required profile

• Tertiary qualification in law, corporate governance, public policy, business or a related discipline.
• Extensive experience in a governance-related role, ideally in local government.
• Experience advising senior management such as General Managers, Directors and Managers.
• Demonstrated experience across at least three of: Government Information (Public Access) Act, policy development, statutory compliance, business papers, delegations, probity and investigations.
• Experience interpreting the Local Government Act 1993, Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 and Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998.
• Experience in compliance management, probity advice and coordinating investigations.
• Experience leading and developing a multidisciplinary team.

Required skills

• Strong knowledge of governance frameworks, legislation, policies and procedures.
• Strong written and verbal communication, able to prepare reports, policies, correspondence and presentations.
• Experience with InfoCouncil and HPE electronic document and records management systems is advantageous.