Safety & Wellness Operations Manager

John Holland • Melbourne, VIC, AU • 4d ago

About John Holland

We’re all about transforming lives by finding solutions to complex challenges across a wide range of industries including infrastructure, property, rail, building and water projects in Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia.

From the epic, to the intimate, everything we do improves life for someone, somewhere. It gives our business momentum and means we approach things a little differently.

While our competitors talk about what they do, we focus on why we do it. We transform communities to make them easier to move around, more connected and better to live in.

Are you up for the challenge?

About the Project

John Holland has been named as the preferred contractor to deliver the North-East Link, Hoddle St to Bourke Road package of works. The Momentum Alliance is made up of John Holland, Seymour Whyte and design

partners Mott MacDonald and Jacobs Group, in partnership with MRPV.

The scope of works includes upgrading six kilometres of the Freeway with new traffic lanes, bridge upgrades and urban noise walls, a dedicated busway (fully segregated from mainline traffic), and a new bridge

over the Yarra River.

The NEL Project involves the design and construction of the upgrade of the Eastern Freeway from Hoddle Street in the west to Burke Road in the east, including:

6km of brownfield freeway widening to accommodate additional traffic lanes in each direction
3km dedicated busway separated from mainline traffic
Significant structures including 600m of bridges, including a 180m architectural steel shared use path bridge of the Yarra River
Freeway-wide scope including ITS, retaining walls, stormwater drainage, noise walls, lighting and signage

Site location to be around Chandler Highway / Eastern Freeway interchange.

About the Role

The Operational Safety and Wellness Manager is responsible for overseeing the operational implementation and continuous improvement of safety management systems. The primary objective of this role is to successfully manage and mitigate safety risks and impacts on-site while integrating wellness strategies into project operations.

The role ensures compliance with the projects Safety and Wellness policies, procedures, and systems while promoting a positive safety and wellbeing culture. This includes leading by example, setting best practices, and aligning with legislative and client standards to
support safe and healthy project delivery. Additionally, the role involves managing operational reports, ensuring effective communication, oversight, and accountability across all levels of project operations.

All our employees have a key role in ensuring the success of NEL’s health, safety, environmental & quality management program and to fulfil this, each person must adopt the Projects core safety and environmental values.

Key Accountablities

Safety Leadership and Wellness Advocacy

•   Champion safety initiatives/KPIs/KRAs and drive continuous improvement in safety performance.
•   Lead by example in promoting a culture of safety across all levels of the project, from leadership to site personnel.
•   Develop and implement wellness initiatives that promote physical, mental, and psychological health

.
Compliance and Risk Management

•   Develop and maintain detailed competency frameworks with a focus on safety-critical roles and project requirements.
•   Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, codes of practice, and organisational and client safety standards.
•   Ensure the safe execution of high-risk and critical work activities (scaffold, confined space, work at height, cranes, etc.) through systematic compliance and risk assessments.
•   Conduct risk assessments and develop strategies to address safety and wellness risks.
•   Assist in the preparation and maintenance of the Safety and Wellness Management System.
•   Assist with the preparation and maintenance of external certification of the safety management system as requested.

Reporting and Systems

•   Report all relevant information in an accurate and timely manner, as well as develop solutions to relevant issues.
•   Proactively contribute to the preparing, implementing, and maintaining safety and wellness systems, plans, procedures, and strategies.
•   Ensure that all safety-related documentation, including compliance reports, safety audits, and regulatory filings, are accurately maintained and readily accessible

Incident Management and Reporting

•   Lead the response to safety incidents, ensuring that investigations are conducted thoroughly and that corrective actions are implemented to prevent recurrence.
•   Ensure that all safety incidents are reported accurately and in a timely manner to relevant stakeholders, including management, clients, health and safety representatives, and regulators.
•   Maintain a clear and transparent communication process for reporting and addressing safety issues.

Mentoring and Site Support

•   Lead and mentor site personnel to improve workplace health, safety, and wellness. Provide clear guidance and leadership to the safety and wellness team, ensuring alignment with project objectives and strategic goals.
•   Promote open and effective communication within the team and across project stakeholders, encouraging collaboration and knowledge sharing.
•   Lead and mentor a high-performing team of safety professionals, providing guidance, support, and development opportunities to enhance team capabilities and performance.

Stakeholder Engagement and Management

•   Serve as the primary point of contact for clients on all operational safety and wellness-related matters, ensuring that client expectations are met or exceeded.
•   Support project roles and manage relationships with external stakeholders, including clients, health and safety representatives, and authorities/regulatory bodies, ensuring clear communication and collaboration on safety.
•   Collaborate with clients, health and safety representatives, and authorities/regulators to ensure that all safety and compliance requirements are clearly understood, agreed upon, and actively monitored.

What we are looking for;

Qualifications:

Relevant qualifications in Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)

•   Minimum Diploma qualification in WHS or related field supported by Certificate IV in OHS or equivalent
•   Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40122)
•   SIA Lead Auditor Certification
•   Mental Health First Aid Certification or equivalent
•   Return to Work Certification
•   Current First Aid and CPR certification.
•   ICAM Lead Investigator Training
•   Behavior-Based Safety (BBS) Certification or similar
•   Proficiency in Microsoft Office and relevant systems.
•   High Risk Work Competencies – Confined Space, Work at Heights
•   Current Driver’s Licence.

Experience:

•   Demonstrated experience in managing high-risk work environments, with a strong understanding of relevant safety standards, risk mitigation strategies, and the ability to implement and enforce safe work practices.
•   Proven experience in managing external safety stakeholders including authorities/regulators
•   Strong understanding of Australian safety legislation, industry standards, and best practices.
•   Ability to develop, implement, and maintain safety management systems, plans, and procedures.
•   Experience in conducting safety audits, inspections, risk assessments, and providing actionable feedback.
•   Demonstrated ability to lead and influence safety and wellness practices across diverse teams.
•   Demonstrated ability to engage with clients, unions, regulators, and internal teams on safety matters.
•   Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present safety information clearly.
•   Leadership experience in mentoring teams and driving safety improvements across projects.
•   Strong problem-solving skills to identify risks and implement practical safety solutions.
•   Knowledge of compliance reporting and the ability to ensure adherence to safety regulations.

What we Offer;

Competitive remuneration with salary continuance, and salary sacrifice packaging options available.

Great leave benefits including 18 weeks paid parental leave with superannuation and up to an extra 18 weeks of superannuation paid on further periods of unpaid parental leave, multicultural leave exchange and two additional John Holland Days to prioritise health and wellbeing.

Career progression underpinned by our exciting pipeline of work means you'll have the opportunity to work on iconic projects that are shaping cities and communities.

Learning and development opportunities where you'll have access to emerging talent programs, building your career through clear career pathways, and technical and leadership training and development opportunities.

Inclusion and diversity is part of how we work and do what we do at John Holland. Our active commitment to being an employer of choice is evident in the delivery of our Gender Equality Strategic Plan supported by our Pride, Celebrate Women, RAP and Grow networks.

Flexible working that works for you as we know flexibility means different things to different people. Whether it's flexi-hours, flexi-parenting, flexi-leave, flexi-shifts, flexi-work, we're committed to helping our people work flexibly.