Job Description:

Lead workplace safety across one of Australia's largest not-for-profit health and aged care organisations and help create safer, healthier workplaces where our people can thrive.

• Lead and influence safety outcomes: Guide a team of WHS Partners and partner with leaders across Victoria to strengthen safety culture, manage risk and drive continuous improvement.
• Be a trusted WHS expert: Provide specialist advice, coaching and practical solutions that support compliance, operational excellence and the wellbeing of our people.
• Make a meaningful impact: Support the delivery of compassionate healthcare and aged care by ensuring safe workplaces for employees, patients, residents, clients and visitors.

About St Vincent's Health Australia

At St Vincent's Health Australia (SVHA), we are shaping a future health and aged care system that supports people with life-changing care, wherever and whoever they are.

Founded by the Sisters of Charity in 1857, St Vincent's is one of Australia's leading not-for-profit health and aged care organisations. Our 30,000 dedicated people provide compassionate care through public and private hospitals, aged care residences, virtual care and services delivered at home across New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria.

Our vision is for every person to receive excellent and compassionate care through a better and fairer health and aged care system. Together, we are focused on enhancing our impact, connecting care and transforming the system. Our work is grounded in our values of Compassion, Justice, Integrity and Excellence.

About the Opportunity

Reporting to the WHS Manager - Victoria, the Lead Work Health & Safety Partner is a key leadership role responsible for providing expert WHS guidance, partnering with operational leaders, and ensuring effective implementation of WHS systems, programs and governance across Victorian operations.

Leading a team of three WHS Partners, you will play a critical role in supporting organisational safety objectives, strengthening compliance, reducing risk and driving continuous improvement initiatives that protect our people, patients, residents, clients and visitors.

This is an opportunity to influence safety outcomes at scale while contributing to SVHA's broader vision of creating safer workplaces across our healthcare and aged care services.

Your Key Responsibilities

As the Lead Work Health & Safety Partner, you will:

• Lead, coach and develop a high-performing team of WHS Partners across Victoria.
• Provide expert advice and support on WHS legislation, regulations, codes of practice and industry best practice.
• Partner with leaders to identify, assess and manage workplace risks across diverse operational environments.
• Drive strategic WHS initiatives that support organisational objectives and safety performance improvement.
• Lead and facilitate incident investigations, including significant and complex workplace incidents.
• Conduct audits, inspections, assurance activities and gap analyses to assess compliance and identify improvement opportunities.
• Support sites through accreditation processes, regulatory reviews and external audits.
• Monitor hazard, incident and injury trends and provide data-driven recommendations to reduce risk.
• Maintain and oversee WHS risk registers, ensuring corrective actions are effectively implemented and monitored.
• Deliver WHS education, training and capability-building programs across all levels of the organisation.
• Provide guidance and support for effective WHS consultation arrangements, including HSRs and WHS Committees.
• Foster strong relationships with regulators, unions and key external stakeholders.
• Support leaders in managing WHS matters raised through consultation forums and regulatory interactions.
• Develop and implement WHS procedures, work instructions and guidance materials.
• Promote consistency, standardisation and continuous improvement of WHS systems and processes.
• Contribute to the ongoing development and effectiveness of the WHS Management System.
• Build strong, collaborative relationships across the organisation to improve safety outcomes.

About You
You are an experienced WHS professional and people leader who enjoys partnering with stakeholders to create safer workplaces and deliver meaningful organisational outcomes.
You bring a practical, solutions-focused approach and the ability to influence at all levels of a complex organisation. You are comfortable balancing operational priorities with strategic initiatives and have a genuine passion for improving workplace health, safety and wellbeing.

You Will Bring

• Minimum five years' experience in a senior WHS role.
• Demonstrated experience leading safety initiatives within a complex organisation.
• Strong knowledge of Australian WHS legislation, regulations and industry standards.
• Experience conducting investigations, audits, inspections and risk assessments.
• Proven ability to influence, coach and build effective relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong leadership capability with experience developing and supporting teams.
• Excellent communication, facilitation and conflict resolution skills.
• Highly developed analytical, reporting and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while delivering high-quality outcomes.
• Strong written communication and presentation skills.
• High level computer literacy and proficiency across Microsoft Office applications.
• A collaborative, adaptable and customer-focused approach.
• Ability and flexibility to travel across Victorian sites.

Essential Qualifications

• Minimum Diploma in Work Health & Safety.
• WHS Incident Investigation qualification (e.g. ICAM Lead Investigator).
• Current Australian Driver's Licence.

Highly Regarded

• Experience leading WHS functions within healthcare, aged care or similarly regulated industries.
• Experience working in large and complex organisations.
• Previous people leadership experience.
• WHS Internal Auditor qualification.
• Degree qualification in WHS or a related discipline.
• Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

Why Join St Vincent's?

• Join a purpose-driven organisation
  Support the health, safety and wellbeing of the people who deliver life-changing care to communities across Australia.
• Lead meaningful safety initiatives
  Drive improvements that influence workplace culture, reduce risk and create safer environments for thousands of employees.
• Shape the future of safety at scale
  Contribute to strategic WHS programs across one of Australia's largest health and aged care providers.
• Collaborate with experienced leaders and specialists
  Work alongside operational leaders, People & Culture professionals and WHS experts who are passionate about safety excellence.
• Flexible and values-driven culture
  Join a supportive and inclusive environment committed to continuous improvement, learning and growth.
• Excellent benefits
  Access a range of benefits designed to support your financial wellbeing, professional growth and work-life balance, including salary packaging to increase your take-home pay, ongoing learning and development opportunities, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) support, Fitness Passport access and a supportive, values-driven workplace culture.

Apply Now
Join St Vincent's Health Australia and help create safer workplaces that enable our people to deliver exceptional care to patients, residents and communities across Australia.

Applications may close before the advertised closing date.

Important Information Employment is subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, including identification, right-to-work, reference and nationally coordinated criminal history checks. The successful applicant must also comply with applicable St Vincent's Health Australia screening and immunisation requirements.

St Vincent's Health Australia welcomes people from all backgrounds and beliefs. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected, valued and empowered to contribute their unique experiences.

Closing Date:

Reconciliation Action Plan:

At St Vincent's we acknowledge the importance of creating a work environment that is welcoming, safe, equitable and inclusive for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Employees. As part of our Commitment to Reconciliation and Closing the Gap in employment related outcomes, we encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

For further information, visit https://www.svha.org.au/about-us/reconciliation or get in contact at [email protected]

View Reconciliation Action Plan

Code of Conduct:

View Code of Conduct