Manager WHS

Manager WHS

At the NSW Department of Education, we educate and inspire lifelong learners – from early childhood, through schooling to vocational education and training.

• Two roles Full time ongoing positions
• Located in Parramatta with flexible working arrangements available
• Salary ranges from $145,378 - $168,130 p.a. plus super & leave loading

About the Opportunities 

Are you ready to lead high-impact initiatives that directly contribute to the safety and wellbeing of staff, students, and communities across NSW? As Manager WHS, you’ll play a critical leadership role in shaping the department’s health and safety culture. This is your opportunity to influence statewide policy, lead a talented team of professionals, and work in a dynamic environment where your expertise will make a tangible difference every day. If you're driven by purpose and thrive in collaborative, fast-paced settings, we want to hear from you.

About the role

This is a key leadership opportunity for an experienced Work Health and Safety professional to make a meaningful impact in schools and workplaces across NSW. As Manager WHS, you will lead a high-performing team in delivering innovative, compliant, and strategic safety solutions that protect and support staff, students, and the broader school and workplace community. You’ll work closely with senior leadership and stakeholders to embed a strong safety culture and ensure the department remains a benchmark in WHS excellence.

You will be responsible for:

• Leading and managing a team of WHS professionals to deliver state-wide services and programs aligned with departmental priorities and legal requirements.
• Developing and implementing WHS strategies and initiatives that build organisational capability and improve safety performance.
• Providing expert advice, reporting, and recommendations to senior leaders on complex WHS matters, risk mitigation, and performance trends.
• Overseeing complex incident investigations and ensuring appropriate regulatory responses and continuous improvement outcomes.
• Managing WHS data analysis and reporting to inform evidence-based decisions and drive service delivery enhancements.
• Coordinating capability-building initiatives, professional development, and mentoring across the WHS team.
• Building strong relationships with internal stakeholders, regulators, and community partners to enhance compliance and shared safety outcomes.
• Preparing high-quality briefings, submissions, and reports to inform executive decision-making and guide business planning.

For further information, please click here to view the role description
 

About you

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• A strong track record of leadership in WHS management, including strategy development, program implementation, and compliance.
• Deep knowledge of WHS legislation, standards, and best practice in complex, high-risk environments.
• Outstanding communication, stakeholder engagement, and people leadership skills
• A proactive, solutions-focused mindset with experience in managing high-level investigations and advising on complex safety matters.
• Exceptional analytical and reporting abilities to identify risks, track performance, and deliver data-informed insights.
• A passion for creating safer workplaces and a commitment to building capability and culture within your team and across the department.

Essential requirements of the role

• Valid Driver License and willingness to drive between work sites
• Relevant qualifications in work health and safety or equivalent work history and experience
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the value of public education.
• Knowledge of and commitment to implementing the Department’s Aboriginal Education Policy and upholding the Department’s Partnership Agreement with the NSW AECG and to ensure quality outcomes for Aboriginal people.

Benefits

• Flexible working arrangements
• 35 hour working week
• Competitive, salary sacrificing, employer’s contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading
• Flex Leave entitlements, generous holidays & leave conditions
• Opportunities for advancement and mobility across the Department to support your career growth

How to apply

If you are interested in joining the team, we want to hear from you! 

Please attach a resume (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements and capabilities of this role.

Please refer to the Applicant’s Guide to Applying to assist you with your application.

If you are an existing Education Support Staff (corporate staff) with the NSW Department of Education, click here for instructions on how to submit your application.

All other applicants please submit your application by clicking ‘Apply Now’.

Note: the selection process will include a range of assessment techniques to assist in determining your suitability for the role. Successful candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening for this role which includes a National Criminal History Check.

Closing date  01 June 2025 at 11:59pm.

For role enquiries please contact Angie Molyneux, Director Work Health and Safety at  angeline.molyneux@det.nsw.edu.au  or on 0499 890 737.

We welcome applications from all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, refugees and people with disability. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better enable you to shine, please contact the Diversity and Inclusion Team (dandi@det.nsw.edu.au) or visit NSW Department of Education Diversity and Inclusion.

A recruitment pool may be created through this recruitment process. A recruitment pool is a group of applicants who have been assessed and identified as suitable for this role, and who may be considered for a range of similar roles, including temporary, term or ongoing roles, over the next 18 months.