About Us:
Kempsey Shire Council (KSC) is located on the Mid North Coast of NSW, known for its genuine hospitality, pristine beaches, sub-tropical rainforests, mountain ranges, rock river gorges, sprawling farmland and peaceful villages.
We are a progressive, proactive and dynamic organisation, and we pride ourselves on the respectful and supportive workplace we have cultivated. With 360+ dedicated staff managing $1.8 billion worth of assets across many sites throughout the Shire, KSC work closely with our community to build an inspired, connected Macleay Valley.
Your New Role:
Are you an experienced HR and Safety leader passionate about building engaged, capable and safe workplaces? We’re seeking a skilled and experience
Senior Manager People & Safety to play a key role in shaping the people, culture and wellbeing of our organisation.
In this important leadership role, you will lead a passionate HR and WHS team supporting the strategic and effective management of Council’s Human Resources and Work Health & Safety functions. You’ll provide specialist advice, guidance and coordination to ensure Council maintains a workforce that is capable, engaged, safe and that our people practices align with organisational values, strategic goals and legislative requirements.
As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you’ll work closely with the Director and other senior leaders to drive initiatives that strengthen culture, build leadership capability and deliver positive people and safety outcomes across the organisation.
Key Accountabilities include:
Human Resources
- Coordinate and support the delivery of HR functions including recruitment, performance, learning and development, workforce planning, job evaluation, remuneration, employee relations, and legislative compliance.
- Lead and influence positive organisational culture change by partnering with leaders to model Council’s values, embed desired behaviours, and support the implementation of initiatives that strengthen engagement, accountability and inclusion
- Support the development and implementation of Council’s People Strategy and Workforce Management Plan.
- Provide professional advice to the Director and leadership team on organisational design, workforce capability and change initiatives.
- Manage complex employee relations matters and assist the Director in representing Council as delegated in industrial or employment matters.
Work Health and Safety
- Coordinate the implementation and maintenance of Council’s WHS Management System, ensuring compliance with WHS legislation and promoting a positive safety culture.
- Support the Director in developing WHS objectives and monitoring performance against Council’s WHS Plan.
- Assist with the investigation of incidents and notifiable events, ensuring compliance with reporting obligations and continuous improvement of practices.
- Oversee the effective delivery of injury management and return-to-work programs.
Leadership and Governance
- Provide strategic leadership of Council’s People and Safety functions, ensuring alignment between workforce, culture, and safety priorities and Council’s strategic objectives.
- Serve as the principal advisor to the Director on people and safety matters, ensuring integrated, compliant and future-focused approaches across all HR and WHS functions.
- Lead the development and implementation of frameworks, policies and systems that build organisational capability, workforce resilience and employee wellbeing.
- Act as Council’s senior authority on human resources and work health and safety matters, providing direction and assurance to the Director and Executive Leadership Team on emerging risks, compliance and workforce issues
For a full list of the Key Accountabilities of the role, please refer to the
Position Description.
About You:
You are an experienced and proactive people leader who brings strategic insight, sound judgement and a genuine commitment to fostering a safe, capable and engaged workforce.
You will possess:
- Tertiary qualifications in Human Resource Management, Employment Law, Work Health & Safety or a related discipline.
- Proven leadership and coordination experience across HR and WHS functions within a complex or multi-faceted organisation.
- Comprehensive knowledge of employment, industrial relations and WHS legislation, with the ability to apply this expertise in a practical and solutions-focused way.
- Demonstrated success in managing and delivering HR and WHS projects, programs and initiatives that drive organisational improvement.
- High-level advisory and analytical skills, with experience preparing professional reports and supporting evidence-based decision-making.
- Strong communication, negotiation and stakeholder engagement abilities, enabling effective collaboration across all levels of the organisation.
- Experience developing and implementing workforce and safety strategies, plans and frameworks that align with organisational objectives.
Benefits of working for Kempsey Shire Council:
As the successful candidate, you’ll enjoy:
- A permanent full-time position, 35hour work week with access to our monthly RDO system.
- Weekly salary of $2,508.26 - $3,020.68 (plus superannuation).
- Generous leave entitlements, including access to Long Service Leave after five years.
- A working environment focussed on wellbeing, including flexible work arrangements, rostered days off, EAP access, social club, and health and wellbeing programs.
- Fitness Passport for discounted access to a range of gym and pool facilities.
- Career development and learning opportunities.
- Novated Leasing and salary packaging options (for eligible roles).
- A supportive, collaborative working environment designed to help you grow!
- A fantastic lifestyle and work life balance, on the beautiful Mid-North Coast.
Interested?
Please apply via Council’s website http://careers.kempsey.nsw.gov.au/. Note that you will be required to prepare and submit:
- A short statement (maximum 2 pages) outlining how your experience, abilities, knowledge and personal qualities will enable you to achieve the key accountabilities of the role (as listed in the Position Description); and
- Your current resume.
Applications Close: COB, Monday 1 December 2025
Interviews will be held week commencing 8 December 2025.
Please note that Council reserves the right to close this job advertisement before the stated closing date if a suitable candidate is found. Therefore, we encourage all interested applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible.
Have questions? Please contact Daniel Thoroughgood – Director Corporate and Commercial for a confidential discussion on Ph: 02 6566 3200.
Please Note: Our recruitment notification process is primarily via system generated emails. Please ensure your email is correct before submitting your application to avoid missing crucial updates.
If you experience any difficulties applying online, please contact the Recruitment team on 02 6566 3200 or email
jobs@kempsey.nsw.gov.au
Thank you and good luck with your application.
Kempsey Shire Council is an equal opportunity employer and we celebrate our diverse, inclusive and values-led workforce. We welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with diverse culture and linguistic backgrounds and people with a disability. In addition, Kempsey Shire Council will provide reasonable adjustments for suitably qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require additional assistance to participate in the recruitment process, please discuss with the advertised contact person. You can ask for reasonable adjustments to be made at any time during the recruitment process.
