Safety & Wellbeing Manager
Hervey Bay, QLD | $151,485 + 12% superannuation

Public Sector People are proud to partner with Fraser Coast Regional Council to recruit an experienced Safety & Wellbeing Manager.

This is an opportunity to take on a key leadership position within Council's People, Safety & Wellbeing function, driving meaningful improvements to workplace safety across a large and diverse organisation.

With operations spanning water, waste management, construction, regulatory services, community facilities and customer-facing services, Council presents a complex and varied safety environment requiring a flexible, practical approach.

Reporting to the Executive Manager People, Safety & Wellbeing, you will play an important role in strengthening Council's safety capability, improving systems and processes, and building effective partnerships with operational leaders.

Council is looking for a leader who understands that effective safety management is not a one-size-fits-all approach. You will bring the ability to understand different operational environments, work collaboratively with the business and develop sustainable safety improvements.

The Opportunity
As Safety & Wellbeing Manager, you will lead Council's workplace health and safety function, providing strategic direction, technical guidance and leadership to support improved safety outcomes across the organisation.

You will work closely with operational leaders to understand their challenges, strengthen safety practices and develop practical solutions that balance regulatory requirements with operational realities.

An important focus will be reviewing and improving existing safety systems, processes and recordkeeping, establishing clear priorities and delivering sustainable improvements over time.

Key responsibilities will include:

- Leading and developing Council's WHS team, building capability and supporting a collaborative, high-performing safety function
- Partnering with operational leaders across Council's five divisions to identify risks and implement practical safety solutions
- Providing expert advice on WHS legislation, regulatory compliance and contemporary safety management practices
- Leading improvements to safety management systems, policies, procedures and recordkeeping
- Developing and implementing sustainable safety improvement initiatives and longer-term priorities
- Supporting effective incident management, investigations, corrective actions and regulatory responses




- Strengthening risk management practices across diverse operational environments, including higher-risk activities
- Supporting the management of psychosocial hazards and broader workplace wellbeing responsibilities
- Coaching and influencing leaders to take greater ownership of workplace safety
- Building strong relationships across Council and ensuring the WHS function operates as an effective partner to the broader organisation
- Identifying opportunities to improve safety reporting, governance and organisational capability
- Promoting a positive, proactive and accountable safety culture

About You
You will be an experienced WHS leader who combines strong technical knowledge with a practical, adaptable and people-focused leadership style.

You will understand the challenges of managing safety across complex operational environments and recognise that different business areas require different approaches to managing risk.

Importantly, you will be someone who can build relationships, influence change and bring people along on the journey, rather than relying solely on compliance-driven solutions.

You'll bring:

- Demonstrated experience in WHS management or senior safety leadership
- Strong understanding of WHS legislation, risk management and contemporary safety practices
- Proven experience leading, coaching and developing safety professionals
- The ability to work across diverse operational environments and adapt safety approaches to different business needs
- Strong communication, consultation, influencing and stakeholder management skills
- Experience improving safety management systems, processes and organisational practices
- Sound knowledge of incident investigation, risk assessment and regulatory compliance
- An understanding of psychosocial hazards and workplace wellbeing responsibilities
- The ability to identify priorities and deliver sustainable improvements within a complex organisation
- A collaborative, pragmatic and solutions-focused leadership approach
- Strong organisational, analytical and problem-solving capability
- A commitment to building trust, strengthening team capability and improving safety outcomes





Relevant tertiary or vocational qualifications in Work Health and Safety, Occupational Health and Safety or a related discipline will be highly regarded.

Why Fraser Coast Regional Council?
Fraser Coast Regional Council serves one of Queensland's most attractive coastal regions, encompassing Hervey Bay, Maryborough and surrounding communities.

With operations spanning a broad range of essential community services, Council offers a unique opportunity to influence workplace safety across a diverse and complex organisation.

This is an important time to join the People, Safety & Wellbeing function, with strong organisational support for improving safety outcomes and an opportunity to contribute to meaningful, long-term change.

The role offers:

- Permanent, full-time employment
- Market-competitive salary of $151,485 + 12% superannuation
- Council vehicle for private and business use, or an $18,000 vehicle allowance
- $6,000 relocation assistance for eligible candidates, available as a lump sum or reimbursement
- Four weeks' annual leave plus five days' additional recreation leave under the applicable employment package
- Long service leave accessible on a pro-rata basis after five years, subject to applicable conditions
- Professional development and leadership development opportunities
- Access to Council's Employee Assistance Program
- Paid parental leave and emergency services leave
- A values-based organisational culture
- The opportunity to lead meaningful safety improvements across a diverse organisation
- An attractive coastal lifestyle in the Fraser Coast region

This is an opportunity for an experienced safety leader to make a genuine impact, strengthening organisational safety capability while developing a team that works collaboratively with the broader business.

If you are a practical, engaging WHS leader looking for an opportunity to shape long-term safety outcomes, we would like to hear from you.

Apply Now
To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter via the "Apply Now" button or contact:
Elle Muller
Senior Recruitment Consultant
Public Sector People
E: ••••@publicsectorpeople.com.au
M: 04•• ••• 614

Applications close: Friday 4th December

Applications will be reviewed and interviews may be conducted throughout the campaign. Council reserves the right to close the process early if a suitable candidate is appointed. Early applications are encouraged.

📌 Safety & Wellbeing Manager (Hervey Bay)
🏢 Public Sector People
📍 Hervey Bay