Chairperson of Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee

About Strathfield Council

Strathfield Council is centrally located in Sydney's inner-west with accessible public transport options and parking available.

As a small metropolitan council, we are committed to ensuring our community is engaged and informed in its future and can have trust and confidence in the management of Council.

The objective of Council's Audit, Risk, and Improvement Committee (ARIC) is to enhance the Council's existing governance framework, risk management practices, control, strategy, and performance environment by providing independent assurance and assistance to the Council on key aspects of its operations.

The approach the Committee adopts in its interaction with senior management will have a direct bearing on the effectiveness of the Committee. It is the responsibility of the Committee to promote a positive culture of continuous improvement to ensure its effectiveness.

About the Role

Council is seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified and experienced individual for the appointment of chairperson to the Audit, Risk, and Improvement Committee (ARIC) for a term of up to four (4) years.

To view the ARIC Model Terms of Reference Guidelines from the Office of Local Government, please click here.

The appointment of the chairperson to the ARIC will be undertaken in accordance with the Office of Local Government's Risk Management and Internal Audit for Local Government in NSW Guidelines (Guidelines).

Under the Guidelines, the ARIC continually reviews and provides independent advice to the General Manager and Council on how it is functioning and managing risk.

Essential

The successful candidates must possess the skills, knowledge and experience outlined in the Guidelines, in particular:

• Independence Criteria for Committee Chairs and Independent Members (page 20)
• Eligibility Criteria for Committee Chairs (page 21)

Conditions

• Member fee = $800 per meeting (excluding GST) per meeting
• Attend at least 4 quarterly meetings over the financial year
• Council's ARIC meetings are held in a hybrid environment which includes in person meetings held at 65 Homebush Road, Strathfield and online via MS Teams
• Effective from 1 July 2025 up to 30 June 2029
• You must participate in pre-engagement screening which may include but not limited to National Criminal Background, financial status, and reference checking.

The ARIC committee looks after the following:

• Risk management
• Control Framework
• External Accountability
• Legislative Compliance
• Internal and External Audit.

Remuneration

The chairperson of the ARIC will be paid a fee of $800 (excluding GST) per meeting for preparing for and attending meetings of the ARIC. The fee includes all other costs associated with attending the meetings such as travel, meeting preparation etc.

Selection Criteria

Audit, risk and improvement committee chairpersons must demonstrate the following:

• leadership qualities and the ability to promote effective working relationships in complex organisations
• an ability to communicate complex and sensitive assessments in a tactful manner to the council's internal audit coordinator, senior management and the mayor and councillors
• a sound understanding of:
• the principles of good organisational governance and capacity to understand local government accountability, including financial reporting
• the business of the council or the environment in which it operates
• internal audit operations, including selection and review of the council's internal audit coordinator, and
• risk management principles
• extensive senior level experience in governance and management of complex organisations, an ability to read and understand financial statements and a capacity to understand the ethical requirements of government (including potential conflicts of interest)
• functional knowledge in areas such as risk management, performance management, human resources management, internal Guidelines for Risk Management and Internal Audit for Local Government in NSW 22 and external auditing, financial reporting, accounting, management control frameworks, internal financial controls, governance (including planning, reporting and oversight), or business operations
• a capacity to form independent judgements and a willingness to constructively challenge/question management practices and information, and
• a professional, ethical approach to the exercise of their duties and the capacity to devote the necessary time and effort to the responsibilities of the chairperson of an audit, risk and improvement committee.

Desirable Criteria

• Possession of a relevant professional qualification or membership (e.g., Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), CPA Australia (CPA) and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA)) is desirable

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please submit your expression of interest through our online applications process.

1. Please fill out the questions below, review and answer our designated questions

2. On the next page, attach the following:

3. A one-page cover letter, addressing the selection criteria and explaining your interest in joining the committee.

4. Your resume, which includes two professional referees and their contact details.

If you have any questions about the role, please contact people and culture via email

Applications Close at 10pm, Wednesday 17 September 2025