Department of Transport and Main Roads QLD – Brisbane QLD

The Manager (WHS & Rail Safety) is responsible for providing strategic leadership, governance, and assurance to ensure the effective management of workplace health and safety and rail safety risks across rail infrastructure projects. The role ensures full compliance with Queensland legislation and Department of Transport and Main Roads requirements, while embedding robust safety management systems, assurance frameworks, and safety culture across complex delivery environments.

The role exercises authoritative judgement on systemic and high-risk safety matters, provides expert advice to senior leaders and regulators, and influences organisational performance by driving continuous improvement, contractor safety assurance, and capability development.

Some of your responsibilities will include:

- Lead enterprise governance and assurance for workplace health and safety (WHS) and rail safety, ensuring full compliance with Queensland legislation and Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) requirements by overseeing the Safety Management System, monitoring performance metrics, producing regular executive reports, and driving continuous improvement across major rail programs.
- Oversee and assure contractor safety performance across complex rail projects, ensuring contractors meet TMR operational safety standards through alignment of contractor practices with internal safety systems, management of notification and escalation protocols, and enforcement of performance expectations via audits, reviews, investigations, and corrective actions.
- Provide authoritative WHS advice and operational support to project teams and operational staff, applying industry best practice and regulatory intent while building safety capability through targeted coaching, mentoring,



and professional development programs that uplift safety leadership and technical competence across the Branch and delivery partners.
- Drive strategic safety initiatives to prevent incidents and manage high risk activities, developing and implementing programs that strengthen safety culture, promote proactive risk management, embed safety leadership at all organisational levels, and respond effectively to emerging and systemic safety risks.
- Implement and maintain fit for purpose safety frameworks and materials, including policies, guidelines, toolkits, and training resources tailored to rail operations and project delivery environments, ensuring clarity, usability, and consistent application of WHS practices by frontline teams and contractors.
- Embed WHS into all aspects of project delivery and operational planning, fostering strong internal relationships across the Rail Division, promoting cross functional collaboration, sharing lessons learned, encouraging innovation in safety practices, and ensuring safety considerations are integrated into early design reviews, risk assessments, readiness checks, and executive decision making.

Requirements of the role:

- Appropriate tertiary qualifications in work health and safety or project management contract management
- At least ten years' proven experience working on large rail or major infrastructure projects is required to excel in this role.
- Demonstrated ability to lead WHS initiatives and make ethical, strategic decisions that align contractor safety practices with broader organisational goals and compliance frameworks.
- Robust interpersonal and communication skills, with the capacity to engage diverse stakeholders, build collaborative relationships, and deliver clear, actionable safety guidance to senior management and frontline teams.
- Experience managing WHS functions in complex project environments.

Applications to remain current for 12 months.

Job Ad Reference: QLD/ /26

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📌 Manager (WHS & Rail Safety) (Brisbane City)
🏢 Department of Transport & Main Roads QLD
📍 Brisbane City