Senior Governance Advisor

Job Title: Senior Governance Advisor

Job Summary: We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Governance Advisor to join our Governance team at Colac Otway Shire Council. The successful candidate will have a strong background in corporate governance, risk management, and strategic planning.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and execution of the Community Vision and Council Plan project.
• Ensure strategic documents meet legislative requirements in collaboration with the Governance Officer.
• Provide strategic business planning advice to align with Council priorities.
• Oversee the Annual Report to ensure statutory compliance.
• Advise executive members and act as liaison with the legal service provider.
• Collaborate with executives to plan the Council business program, considering strategic priorities and community engagement.
• Support Councillors by providing timely governance advice throughout the Council business cycle.
• Develop and implement policies to educate on governance legislation and standards.
• Maintain up-to-date governance policies and guidance materials.
• Lead education campaigns on Public Interest Disclosure, Privacy, and FOI procedures.
• Oversee key governance legislation decisions, including FOI and Public Interest Disclosures.
• Coordinate and administer Council's election processes.
• Manage the administrative functions of the Audit & Risk Committee, including agenda preparation.
• Collaborate on planning and implementing the internal audit program.

About You:

• Demonstrated experience and capability to interpret and apply legislation, communicate this in plain language and engaging terms to a diverse staff group, Councillors and the community.
• A highly developed knowledge and understanding of governance, risk management, corporate planning and reporting.
• Proven experience in local government, or a similar large, complex organisation with the desire to develop a strong knowledge of the requirements of the Local Government Act.
• A strong capacity for strategic thinking, influencing and highly developed analytical skills.
• Strong relationship management expertise and experience in a political environment.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills (both written and verbal).

Requirements:

• A relevant tertiary qualification and an established career in Corporate Governance, or degree qualification in business administration, management, legal or a related discipline.
• Politically astute, responsive and innovative with the capacity to drive governance best practice, corporate strategy, organisational improvement and transparency.

What We Offer:

Colac Otway Shire Council offers a fantastic career and lifestyle opportunity in a picturesque municipality with a diverse area from volcanic lakes, craters and plains in the north, through the hinterland forests of the Otway Ranges to the Great Ocean Road coastline.

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