Work Health and Safety Manager
- Location:
- Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
- Posted:
- 22nd September 2026
- Advertiser:
- Hays - ANZ - 3019371
- Maintaining established WHS systems and frameworks
- Conducting internal audits and compliance reviews
- Managing incidents, hazards and corrective actions
Canberra | Permanent | Up to $140,000 + superannuation
Your new company
This established Australian project management and construction business delivers a diverse portfolio of commercial, government and Defence-related projects. With operations across several Australian locations, the organisation offers a collaborative and people-focused working environment and is seeking an experienced Work Health and Safety Manager to support its continued compliance and operational success.
Your new role
As the Work Health and Safety Manager, you will maintain and oversee the organisation's established WHS systems, ensuring policies, procedures, risk registers and project safety requirements are consistently applied. This is not a systems implementation role. The frameworks are already established, allowing you to focus on internal auditing, compliance monitoring, identifying gaps and supporting operational teams to meet their safety obligations.
Approximately 3 days per week will be focused on WHS, with the remaining 2 days supporting personnel security compliance across government and Defence-related projects.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Conducting desktop and site-based internal WHS audits
- Reviewing WHS documentation, safety plans, risk registers and compliance records
- Monitoring incidents, hazards, investigations and corrective actions through close-out
- Identifying recurring gaps and providing practical recommendations
- Maintaining audit readiness and supporting external reviews
- Preparing clear safety, risk and compliance reports for management
- Supporting psychosocial hazard management and legislative compliance
- Working with employees, contractors and project leaders to clarify WHS responsibilities
- Maintaining personnel security registers and documentation
- Monitoring security clearance and onboarding requirements
- Ensuring personnel security records remain accurate, current and audit-ready
- Liaising with internal stakeholders and security specialists to resolve compliance matters
What you'll need to succeed
You will be an experienced and practical WHS professional who is comfortable working independently in a project-based environment.
You will bring:
- Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety or a higher relevant qualification
- Demonstrated experience in WHS management, compliance and internal auditing
- Experience reviewing established WHS systems and monitoring their application
- Strong knowledge of risk registers, incidents, corrective actions and audit evidence
- Experience within construction, project delivery or another operational environment
- Strong attention to detail and confidence maintaining sensitive compliance records
- Clear and proportionate risk reporting capability
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills and a collaborative approach
- Experience supporting government, Defence or security-sensitive projects will be highly regarded
- Knowledge of personnel security or security clearance compliance will be advantageous
Internal auditor training, a White Card or an Australian Government security clearance would also be beneficial.
What you'll get in return
You'll join a successful, people-focused business in a broad role combining WHS assurance with personnel security compliance.
The position offers:
- Permanent, full-time employment
- 5 days per week on site
- Potential flexibility once established in the business
- Established WHS systems, allowing you to focus on assurance and continuous improvement
- A varied role spanning safety, risk, internal audit and personnel security
- A supportive and collaborative working environment
What you need to do now
If you're an experienced WHS professional looking for a broader opportunity combining safety assurance and personnel security compliance, apply now or contact Orlena Prosser at Hays for a confidential discussion.
P: 02 6112 7639
E: Orlena.Prosser@hays.com.au
