Manager, Policy and Legislation

The Manager, Policy and Legislation is responsible for providing strategic leadership on the formulation and implementation of critical strategic policy initiatives, deliver legislative and regulatory changes and associate impact analysis across occupational health and safety and workers compensation legislation. The role undertakes a high level of complex investigative and analytical work that influences departmental policy direction.

This role supports WorkSafe to achieve quality professional outcomes for major projects by understanding the implications of the work and its impact on Departmental or Government policy and stakeholder risks. The role identifies and responds to new and emerging issues and their longer term implications and influences state and national debate on workplace health and safety.

• $163,604.00 per annum + 12% superannuation
• Full time, fixed term opportunity until 30/09/2026
• Geelong based role (hybrid – 3 days a week in office)

About the opportunity

The Manager, Policy and Legislation is responsible for providing strategic leadership on the formulation and implementation of critical strategic policy initiatives, deliver legislative and regulatory changes and associate impact analysis across occupational health and safety and workers compensation legislation.  The role undertakes a high level of complex investigative and analytical work that influences departmental policy direction, whilst working within clear and established management systems, legislative and regulatory provisions and professional standards.

Key accountabilities

• Provide expert strategic advice to influence, enable and support the development and implementation of legislative and regulatory reform, statutory guidance and non-regulatory policy options.
• Manage and lead a team of policy, strategy and legislative advisors in the development of significant policy matters, legislative or regulatory change and complex projects to meet corporate and government objectives.
• Manage a team to have end to end accountability for delivery of legislative reform, from policy development to making amendment to primary and subordinate legislation.
• Provide critical analysis and advice to the Legislation, Policy and Information Services (LPIS) management team, the Department of Treasury and Finance, other Government departments, Ministers Office and WorkSafe's Executive Leadership Team (ELT and WorkSafe Board in relation to significant policy and implementation issues.
• Proactive identification and escalation of emerging trends, issues and risk in occupational health and safety and workers compensation policy and legislation, reviewing academic literature, case law, industry trends, research and activity in other jurisdictions both nationally and overseas, and keeping abreast of government, stakeholder and community views.
• Manage and lead the preparation and review of complex and time-critical documents including discussion papers, policy papers, ministerial briefings, cabinet documents, submissions to government and instructions to parliamentary counsel for the introduction and passage of bills through parliament.

About you

You are a highly experienced policy professional, with in-depth knowledge and understanding of the development of legislation, regulations and related Parliamentary processes. Your previous management experience brings exemplary leadership skills. Your negotiation and influencing skills are highly developed, and your strong stakeholder management skills allows you to build and maintain trusted relationships with your stakeholder group.

You will possess the following:

• Demonstrated experience in undertaking high-level complex investigative and analytical work that has significant implications across WorkSafe Victoria operations while working within clear and established management systems, legislative/regulatory provisions and professional standards
• Well-developed technical expertise in strategic policy development, and for providing strategic advice and support in the translation and application of policy in a government setting
• Demonstrated experience in developing legislative and/or strategic policy, gained in a government setting in occupational health and safety, workers' compensation or other regulatory environment
• Demonstrated knowledge of occupational health and safety and compensation law and/or or other relevant legislation
• Tertiary qualifications in law, public policy, social sciences or economics

Applications close 11:00pm Thursday 2 October 2025.