Directorate: Corporate & Community
Team: Safety & Risk
Employment Status: Permanent, full-time
Employment Arrangement: 35 hours per week with access to Council’s Agile Work Policy
Salary Range:
- Base Salary: From $127,855.00 to $144,235.00 (Grade 22, Step 1 to Step 4) per annum
- Plus: 12% superannuation
- Total Package: $143,197.60 - $161,543.20 per annum dependent upon competency step appointment.
The successful candidate will have access to step increases for the grade based on competency assessment and tenure within this position.
This is more than a risk and safety role.
This is an opportunity to further shape organisational culture, influence executive decision-making, and lead a contemporary enterprise-wide approach to risk, safety, insurance and resilience.
Strathfield Council is seeking an accomplished and people-focused Chief Risk, Safety & Insurance Officer to lead our organisation's strategic risk and safety agenda. Reporting to the Manager People Experience and partnering closely with the Executive Leadership Team, this influential leadership role will strengthen organisational resilience, drive a proactive safety culture and ensure risk-informed decision making across all areas of Council.
We are looking for a leader who combines technical excellence with exceptional people skills; someone who can build trusted relationships, inspire accountability, influence positive
About Strathfield Council
Located in Sydney's vibrant Inner West, Strathfield Council serves a diverse and growing community of approximately 46,000 residents, with projected growth exceeding 60,000 residents by 2041.
We are committed to delivering high-quality services, supporting our community and creating a safe, sustainable and thriving future.
Our people are passionate about making a positive difference, and we're proud of our collaborative culture, progressive workforce practices and commitment to continuous improvement.
The Opportunity
As Chief Risk, Safety & Insurance Officer, you will provide strategic leadership for Council's enterprise risk, workplace safety, workers compensation, return-to-work and insurance functions.
You will lead the ongoing development and maturity of Council's risk and safety frameworks, ensuring robust governance, legislative compliance and practical risk management approaches that support organisational success.
Working across a diverse operational environment, you will provide expert advice to senior leaders, identify emerging risks and opportunities, analyse trends and data, and support informed decision-making at all levels of the organisation.
Success in this role requires more than technical expertise.
You will be a highly organised and influential leader who can engage with people at every level of the organisation, coach and support leaders, build capability within teams and drive cultural change through collaboration rather than compliance.
You will lead a small specialist team while fostering a culture where safety, accountability and continuous improvement are shared responsibilities across Council.
This is a unique opportunity to leave a lasting impact by strengthening organisational resilience, enhancing workplace safety and helping shape the future of risk management at Strathfield Council.
Who Will Thrive In This Role
The ideal candidate will be a respected risk and safety professional who combines strategic thinking with strong operational understanding.
You will bring:
- Exceptional leadership capability and a genuine passion for developing people and building high-performing teams.
- Strong emotional intelligence and the ability to influence, engage and partner with stakeholders at all levels.
- A practical and solutions-focused approach to risk and safety management.
- Outstanding organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining attention to detail.
- Confidence in providing advice to executives and leaders on complex risk and safety matters.
- A commitment to creating positive workplace cultures where people feel supported, safe and empowered to succeed.
Essential Requirements
- A tertiary qualification or relevant qualification in the same or related discipline with extensive experience in a comparable role.
- Proven management of insurance claims, and reduction in insurance premiums and/or other similar programs.
- Superior knowledge of interpreting and applying WHS and General Insurance legislation, workers compensation, return to work management plans and associated processes.
- Proven experience in assessing workplace environments, identifying hazards, undertaking risk assessments, and providing and implementing recommendations. This includes at both indoor and outdoor environments and working with contractor agencies.
- Ability to develop and embed Risk and WHS programs, practices, and initiatives at Council with a positive attitude. This includes working autonomously in the development stage but also as a team player in the implementation and ongoing improvement phase.
- High-level attention to detail, excellent organisational skills, and an understanding on how to effectively manage competing deadlines and priorities. A demonstrated history of being accountable and responsible in all work that is undertaken.
- Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written) including the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships across all levels of Council and with external stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to act with tact and discretion when dealing with confidential information, always operating with a high degree of professionalism.
- Well-developed problem-solving skills and a commitment to providing the best level of service to all stakeholders and employees.
- A demonstrated commitment to building positive workplace culture and championing health and safe workplaces. Actively partnering with other People and Culture team members to achieve related outcomes.
Desirable
- Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety or similar.
- Experience in Local Government environment.
Why Work with Us
At Strathfield Council, you will enjoy a supportive workplace that values balance, growth, and wellbeing. Benefits include:
- Flexible work arrangements through our Agile Work Policy
- 35-hour working week with options for a compressed four-day week
- Generous learning and development opportunities
- Complimentary Employee Assistance Program
- Access to the Fitness Passport Program
- Health & Wellbeing Reimbursement Program
- Regular staff engagement events, including quarterly Roadshow lunches.
Position Description
How to Apply
To submit your application online:
- Complete your details and answer the application questions.
For questions about the role, please contact our People & Culture team at [email protected] .
Applications close at 11:59pm on Thursday 30 July 2026.
