Associate Director, Work Health, Safety and Wellbeing

Competitive remuneration package, including 17% superannuation
Full-time, 5 year fixed term contract, Joondalup campus
People and Culture
Joondalup campus
Competitive remuneration package, including 17% superannuation
Full-time, 5 year fixed term contract, Joondalup campus
Edith Cowan University
Are you ready to belong to a dynamic community where courage, creativity, and optimism are essential elements of our DNA? At ECU we’re inspired by the incredible achievements of Edith Cowan, the first woman elected to an Australian parliament and a lifelong champion of education. Empowered by her legacy, we’re united in our vision to lead the sector in educational experience and expand our impact through world-class research.
Embrace an opportunity to become part of something extraordinary.
People and Culture
People and Culture is the service centre dedicated to empowering the talent and potential of our people. We champion the experience of every employee and work to maintain our thriving work culture and excellent reputation in the higher education sector.
About the Opportunity
As the Associate Director, Work Health, Safety and Wellbeing, you will lead the development, integration and implementation of a university-wide WHS and wellbeing frameworks that promotes a culture of safety, wellbeing, and continuous improvement aligned with ECU’s values.
You will provide high-level strategic advice to the ECU Council, Executive and other governing bodies to embed safety leadership, manage risk and ensure compliance with legislation, while cultivating a positive safety culture where all staff are empowered to contribute.
Key Responsibilities
Develop and implement university-wide WHS and wellbeing strategies that foster a positive, values-driven safety culture and ensure compliance with legal and organisational requirements. Strengthen psychosocial safety and wellbeing by identifying and managing risks, promoting mental health, and building a supportive workplace culture. Provide strategic leadership and advice to the ECU Council, Executive, and key stakeholders to enhance safety performance, culture, and accountability across all campuses. Drive continuous improvement and collaboration by leading the WHS Team, monitoring performance, aligning initiatives across People and Culture, and responding proactively to emerging risks and legislative changes.
About you
You’re a forward-thinking and strategic WHS leader with a proven ability to drive meaningful safety initiatives and cultural change in complex environments. A confident communicator and inspiring people leader, you bring energy, resilience, and genuine passion to building a proactive, positive safety culture that supports everyone to thrive.
**You Will Bring**:
A relevant postgraduate qualification and significant experience, or equivalent expertise gained through a mix of education, experience, and professional accreditation.
Extensive experience leading work health, safety, and wellbeing in a university or similarly complex environment.
The ability to think ahead and embrace innovation, developing strategies and plans that align with ECU’s long-term vision and goals as a leading, future-focused university.
Strong capability in identifying, assessing, and managing risks to enable informed decision-making and enhance organisational resilience.
A talent for building positive relationships and partnerships across ECU and with external communities to achieve shared outcomes.
Excellent communication skills, with the confidence to convey ideas and information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences.
Proven leadership in supporting and empowering high-performing, collaborative teams that value diversity and deliver on organisational priorities.
Benefits of working at ECU
At ECU we’re committed to fostering a positive employment experience and believe this is fundamental to the success and satisfaction of our employees. Growth and development matter here, because we recognise people are at the centre of everything we do. Our thriving work culture is guided by the ECU values and complemented by a range of employee benefits; visit our website to read about flexible working arrangements, generous leave entitlements, our commitment to Wellbeing, exclusive corporate discounts and industry-leading superannuation.
Contact
Application Process
Please upload an up-to-date resume summarising your experience and achievements, along with a brief covering letter of no more than 2 pages outlining your suitability for the role.
Advert Closure
Applications close Friday 21 November 2025 at 11.30pm AWST.
**PLEASE NOTE**: APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED FROM CANDIDATES WHO HAVE THE RELEVANT WORKING RIGHTS TO FILL THIS POSITION.
We are dedicated to attracting, retaining and developing our people regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, age and faith. For more information on our commitment to equity and diversity, please visit our Inclusive Workplace websi