About the role 

The Safety & Wellbeing Lead is responsible for educating and supporting the organisation in maintaining Knox as a safe and positive workplace. Leading a multidisciplinary team, you will play a key role in developing, implementing, and continuously improving policies, strategies, frameworks, procedures, and programs to ensure a safe, healthy, and child-safe environment. You will have the ability to apply effective strategies to mitigate both current and emerging risks.

In this role, you will collaborate closely with employees, leadership, and external partners to maintain the highest standards of safety and compliance.

You will build collaborative relationships with the People, Culture and Development team and broader key stakeholders to develop a wellbeing plan and program, maintain knowledge of all relevant OHS policies and regulations, provide strategic risk advice and early intervention injury management and wellbeing services.

As an experienced leader you will oversee work cover claims management, child safety legislation requirements, contractor management, return to work programs, investigations and risk assessments.

If you have expertise in safety, wellbeing, and child safety, along with strong leadership skills, and are passionate about influencing and driving change within a diverse organisation, we encourage you to apply and contribute to providing a safe and secure environment for all employees at Knox.

This is a full time permanent role based at the Civic Centre, Wantirna South. We support flexible working arrangements while ensuring operational needs of the role are met.

This is a Senior Executive Officer role, remuneration will be negotiated on experience.

What you will bring to this role  

The key selection criteria for this role are: 

• Specialist skills and applied knowledge of associated legislative Acts and Regulations relating to local government generally, but in particular industrial instruments, tax, risk management, health and safety, and injury management and rehabilitation.
• Experience in complex end to end case investigations and management in a diverse organisation.
• High level technical skills across Health, Safety & Wellbeing functions.
• Demonstrated business acumen and understanding of organisational issues and challenges and the ability to work well across different functions to integrate people and business strategies and systems.
• Extensive and diverse experience working in an OHS role involving development of strategies including change management and communications plans to support effective delivery of an OHS Management System and the development of a risk aware and interdependent safety culture.
• Significant leadership experience in HR/Risk operations within a complex environment, and the ability to lead a positive culture
• Proven capacity to prepare written documentation including policies, procedures, executive and committee reports, submissions, etc.
• Proven capacity to partner strategically with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders to gain commitment to change, build capability and act as a trusted advisor in OHS.
• Well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to assess options and consequences in delivering and implementing preferred actions and decisions within a complex and political environment.
• Proven experience in developing and delivering a Safety & Wellbeing Strategy.

How to apply  

Please submit your application, including your resume and cover letter online via the ‘Apply’ button by 11:55pm on Sunday 16th March 2025.

All applications must be made via the online portal. No applications direct to the hiring manager will be considered. 

For further information on this role please contact Debbie Shaw, Chief People Officer, at debbie.shaw@knox.vic.gov.au or on 0418325297. 

A link to the position description can be found in the job listing on our Knox City Council Jobs and Careers page.   

Please note: Candidates will be shortlisted as applications are received and this role may close earlier than the anticipated closing date. 

Why work at Knox 

Discover your future at Knox City Council, where you will deliver meaningful impact, find great opportunities and work with committed people to shape our community. As an employee of Knox, you can enjoy: 

• Accrued or rostered days off available for full-time roles, depending on operational requirements 

• Broad range of leave options including up to 16 weeks primary and up to 4 weeks secondary parental leave

• Salary sacrifice option for Council-owned childcare fees 

• Opportunities to take on temporary roles or work in different teams to build skills and support career growth

• Support towards further study 

• 50% off Knox Leisureworks memberships 

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for support in managing personal and work-related challenges.

To find out more about the benefits of working at Knox City Council, visit knox.vic.gov.au/why-work-knox

Inherent requirements

To view the inherent requirements for this position please see attachment below.  

• Office Based role(s) - Inherent Requirements Table .DOCX

Our commitments

Knox City Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to providing a workplace that embraces diversity and inclusion. We are committed to a positive, barrier-free recruitment process. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application. 

Knox City Council has zero tolerance for child abuse and all forms of harm to children. All children and young people who access our services, programs, events and facilities have the right to feel safe and be safe. This includes spaces owned or managed by Council. We take the wellbeing and safety of children and young people in our care seriously. We maintain a child safe organisation by embedding the protection of children into everyday thinking and practice. All Knox City Council employees, contractors and volunteers are responsible for ensuring children and young people are valued, heard and protected from abuse. 

Knox City Council acknowledges our offices are located on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation. 

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