- Shape safety strategy across a national network
- Build a culture where leaders own safety
- Create lasting impact for people and communities

About the company

Our client is a major national transport operator, employing thousands of people across a geographically diverse, multi-site network. Every day, its people connect communities and deliver services on which passengers depend.

Safety is fundamental to the organisation’s licence to operate and its ambition for the future. As the business grows through recent contracts, acquisitions and investment in lower emission transport, it is strengthening the systems, leadership capability and culture needed to deliver consistently safe, reliable operations.

About the opportunity

As General Manager – Safety, Strategy and Governance, you will lead the next chapter of the organisation’s national safety journey. Your mandate is to transform a collection of systems, standards and practices into one clear, practical and consistent framework that works across every location.

This is a highly visible leadership role combining enterprise strategy with frontline impact. You will influence executive decisions, strengthen governance and provide trusted advice on operational risk, growth opportunities and investment priorities. Equally, you will spend time where the work happens—engaging with depot leaders, challenging accepted practices and personally leading serious incident investigations when required.

Success within 3 months will mean developing a first hand understanding of frontline risks, culture and capability, then setting clear priorities. Within 6 months, a national improvement roadmap will be progressing, investigation quality will be lifting, and leaders will be building greater safety capability. By 12 months, consistent systems will be embedded, operational leaders will seek your counsel early, and safety will be recognised as an enabler of performance, trust and sustainable growth.

About you

You are a credible, degree qualified safety leader who has operated in complex,



high consequence environments. You have designed and implemented safety management systems across multiple sites and personally led serious ICAM investigations from evidence gathering through to causal analysis and final recommendations.

You bring strong working knowledge of Australian WHS requirements, heavy vehicle regulation and Chain of Responsibility obligations. More importantly, you know how to lead change. You communicate risk in plain language, distinguish meaningful controls from unnecessary administration and inspire leaders to take ownership.

You are equally effective at the executive table and on the frontline—commercially astute, technically accomplished, direct and human.

What’s on offer

This is a rare opportunity to shape a national function with genuine authority, direct executive access and broad operational reach. You will join a growing organisation investing in safer operations, leadership capability and sustainable transport.

The legacy is compelling: stronger leaders, simpler systems, a more accountable culture and safer outcomes for thousands of people every day.

To Apply

Given the high volume of applications and enquiries, we kindly ask for your patience as we work through responses. Please note that email applications will not be accepted to ensure a fair and consistent process. You must have unrestricted working rights in Australia to apply.

For further information please apply via the role advert or contact Sarah Layer or Scott Craig with any specific questions: ****************************. You must have unrestricted working rights in Australia to apply. As part of the process, pre-employment checks will be conducted.

Arete Executive specialises in the Search & Recruitment of Leadership & Executive roles throughout Australia. We offer cost effective headhunting services from 10% with guaranteed results delivered in under 20 days. Candidate confidentiality is assured with all applications, with your privacy being our utmost priority. Partner with us for fast, reliable, and impactful recruitment solutions.

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📌 General Manager – Safety, Strategy and Governance (Adelaide)
🏢 Arete Executive
📍 Adelaide