Workplace Health and Safety Manager

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Reporting to: General Manager - Flemington Place

Values

Purpose

To lead and embed a proactive, risk-aware safety culture across the Victoria Racing Club by providing expert guidance, strategic oversight, and operational support in all matters of health and safety. This role ensures compliance with WHS legislation, drives continuous improvement, and safeguards the wellbeing of employees, contractors, volunteers, and guests across all VRC sites and events.

Stakeholders

Internal: C-Suite, Department Heads & Managers, Board of Directors and the wider VRC team.

External: VRC Members, Customers & Clients, Suppliers & Vendors, and Industry Networks & Associations.

Focus

• WHS Strategy & Compliance: Develop and maintain a robust WHS framework aligned with legislative requirements and industry best practice.
• Risk Management & Hazard Control: Identify, assess, and mitigate risks across operational areas, ensuring safe environments for all stakeholders.
• Event & Race Day Safety: Oversee WHS planning and execution for major events, ensuring readiness, responsiveness, and compliance.
• Training & Capability Building: Deliver targeted WHS training, inductions, and coaching to build safety leadership and awareness across the Club.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Governance: Lead WHS Committee and Emergency Planning Committee activities, fostering collaboration and accountability.
• Reporting & Continuous Improvement: Monitor safety performance, report key metrics, and drive corrective actions and innovation.

Success Measures (KPIs)

Incident Management & Reporting

• 100% of notifiable incidents reported within mandated timeframes.
• ≥95% closure rate of corrective actions within 30 days.
• Reduction in repeat incidents through root cause analysis and targeted interventions.

Risk Assessments & Safety Planning

• WHS risk assessments completed for 100% of events and race days.
• Minimum of 2 hazard audits per quarter across public and restricted zones.
• Audit actions tracked and closed within assigned timeframes.

Training & Induction

• 100% completion of WHS inductions prior to commencement of work.
• Annual refresher training delivered for key operational staff.
• Emergency evacuation drills coordinated and evaluated annually.

Regulatory & Internal Compliance

• 100% compliance with WorkSafe and internal audit schedules.
• WHS policies and procedures reviewed annually or upon legislative change.

Stakeholder Engagement & Innovation

• Quarterly WHS Committee meetings facilitated with cross-functional representation.
• Minimum of 2 new safety initiatives implemented annually in high-risk areas.

Core Capabilities

• Tertiary qualifications in Occupational Health & Safety or related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience in WHS leadership within complex operational environments.
• Familiarity with event safety planning and emergency response coordination.
• Experience working with external regulators and managing compliance audits.
• Deep knowledge of WHS legislation, codes of practice, and standards.
• Proficient in hazard identification, risk assessment, and control implementation.
• Experience with technical safety domains (e.g., plant, working at heights, hazardous substances).
• Skilled in incident investigation, root cause analysis, and regulatory reporting.
• Strong understanding of WHS systems, audits, and documentation management.
• Ability to lead safety culture transformation through coaching, consultation, and engagement.
• Confident communicator with high personal impact and credibility.
• Skilled at building collaborative relationships across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Agile and adaptable in fast-paced, dynamic environments.
• Strong planning and organisational skills, with attention to detail.
• Results-driven with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Capable of managing competing priorities and responding effectively to emerging risks.
• Proficient in WHS data analysis, reporting, and performance tracking.
• Contribute to a positive and respectful team environment that values open communication, creative collaboration, and mutual support.
• Manage workload effectively, with guidance from leaders, to maintain a healthy balance between high-quality creative output and personal wellbeing.
• Support an inclusive workplace where diverse perspectives are valued, and feedback is encouraged, constructive, and solution focused.

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