About Inner West Council
Inner West Council (IWC) is among Sydney’s larger local metropolitan local government councils looking after a community of 201,000 people living in some of the inner city’s most vibrant, creative, liveable, and diverse suburbs. As we continue to deliver quality, innovative, and inclusive programs and services, we invite you to join in on our journey towards becoming the best council for our community.
The community is at the heart of IWC, and our values of Integrity, Respect, Innovation, Compassion and Collaboration are at the centre of everything that we do.
We offer flexible career life balance with hours that allow you to relax and recharge. We offer a variety of flexible work arrangement options (e.g. flexible hours and working from home) where appropriate giving you even greater quality of work life balance.
Permanent employees benefit from our great value gym membership from $18.65/week giving access to a vast network of gyms in Sydney.
About the role
The Work Health Safety and Wellbeing Manager is a new role that reports to the Senior Manager Governance and Risk and manages a team of WHS and Wellbeing Specialists. In this dynamic and strategic role, you will be mainly responsible for managing Council’s work, health, safety, and wellbeing functions and ensuring proactive WHS and safety services are delivered across Council. The position is accountable for managing Council’s compliance with all relevant WHS legislation, regulations and standards, while driving continuous improvement in safety and wellbeing practices.
To succeed in this role you will need technical experience and expertise, excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills, and advanced leadership skills. You will need to be highly engaged, confident working closely with external and internal stakeholders, and comfortable problem-solving and navigating strategic and operational challenges and landscapes. You will lead and inspire a team charged to deliver high quality WHS and wellbeing services. You will also continue to lead and develop Council’s WHS and wellbeing management systems, to ensure alignment with community expectations, and Council’s directions and decisions.
This is a unique leadership opportunity within a large progressive Council that embraces innovation, diversity and collaboration and celebrates its vibrant community. You’ll be supported by a dedicated Executive and a talented team, offered a competitive salary, and encouraged to grow your own leadership journey while contributing to an organisation that aims to make its community a great place to be.
Please read the Position Description to familiarise yourself with all the requirements and conditions of the role.
Remuneration
An annual Total Remuneration Package (TRP) range of $185,000 - $215,000 per annum in recognition of:
- Additional hours worked required to meet position requirements and performance expectations
- Access to IWC motor vehicle lease back scheme for private use
Some of the required skills, experience and qualifications
- Relevant tertiary qualifications and extensive experience in WHS and risk management within a complex operational environment.
- Proven project management skills with a track record of delivering WHS and risk improvement initiatives.
- Substantial demonstrated experience providing WHS leadership, advice and solutions to resolve issues and support business continuity.
- Demonstrated financial management, procurement, contract and budgetary experience.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders.
- Experience in developing and implementing WHS systems, policies and procedures to ensure compliance with legislation.
- Experience working with managers, staff and stakeholders to resolve high priority, and often sensitive and complex matters.
- Experience leading and managing a customer-focused team.
- Knowledge of and commitment to equity and diversity principles, work health and safety, ethical practice and acting with probity at all times.
- Current Class C (minimum) NSW Driver Licence.
Enquiries
Please contact Julian Sakarai, Senior Manager Governance and Risk, on (02) 9392 5698 with any queries in relation to this role.
Closing Date
Friday 24 July 2026, 11:30PM.
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How to Apply
We recommend you read the Position Description for the role to make sure your application addresses the requirements of the position. Council is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all applicants. Please advise us within the application if you need support, reasonable adjustments to participate successfully in the recruitment process.
Interview schedule
We anticipate interviewing for this role from Monday 28 July to Friday 31 July. Applicants are expected to attend an in-person interview in this week.
Eligibility for employment/Pre employment Checks
Successful applicants must be eligible to work in Australia and agree to provide information for pre-employment checks as required for the position. This may include police records checks, certified copies of relevant qualifications, Driver’s Licence and proof of work rights in Australia (please refer to the Position Description for the specific qualifications/requirements for the role). Copies of any sighted documents will be kept by IWC for its records as proof of verification.
For more information about work rights in Australia please visit the Department of Home Affairs website.
Inner West Council is proud to be an inclusive and equitable employer
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences and are committed to reflecting the diversity of our community. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, LGBTQ+ people, veterans, young people, and mature age workers.
This commitment to diversity and inclusion is one of the many reasons we were named the 2023 AR Bluett Award Winner as the most progressive council in NSW. We’re also proud recipients of the 2023 Australian Business Awards Employer of Choice and the 2025 NSW Local Government Excellence Award for Organisational Diversity and Inclusion.
Reasonable Adjustment Assistance
IWC are intent on respecting the rights and improving opportunities for people with disability. Should you require adjustments or support for your application and throughout the recruitment process and beyond, please Click here for more information on reasonable adjustments
