Full-time, permanent position
Base salary will be in the range $117,958.12 - $132,247.57 + 17% super (HEW Level 8)
Based at our St Lucia Campus and the University Mine - Indooroopilly.
This role provides strategic and operational leadership in health, safety and wellness across the Institute, driving the implementation of the University’s Health, Safety and Wellness Strategy and fostering a positive, proactive safety culture. Working in a highly collaborative environment, you will partner closely with Institute leadership, Faculty teams and central specialist functions to ensure consistent, compliant and forward‑looking health, safety and wellness practices that enable world‑class research and professional excellence. In addition, this role provides strategic and operational HSW support to JKTech P/L and to SMI ICE Chile.
Key responsibilities will include:
Providing expert advice and strategic guidance on health, safety and wellness matters to Institute Executive and senior leaders, while also assisting the Director, Institute Operations with the strategic and operational management of facilities and infrastructure support services.
Coordinating and implementing the University’s occupational health and safety management system within the Institute, ensuring legislative and policy compliance.
Leading initiatives that strengthen safety leadership, capability and culture across diverse research and operational environments.
Monitoring performance, investigating incidents and driving continuous improvement in health, safety and wellness outcomes.
Supervision of staff within SMI with responsibilities in health, safety and wellness and facilities.
You will bring a strong professional background in health, safety and wellness, combined with the confidence and credibility to influence at senior levels. You will demonstrate:
Postgraduate qualifications, or progress toward postgraduate qualifications, in occupational health and safety or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of extensive relevant experience and training.
A thorough understanding of work health and safety legislation, standards and codes, with demonstrated experience designing and implementing compliant systems and procedures.
Highly developed interpersonal, communication and stakeholder‑engagement skills.
Proven ability to lead change and positively influence organisational safety culture.
Significant experience managing health, safety and wellness programs in complex, multi‑site or large organisational environments.
Experience engaging with regulators and overseeing regulatory compliance activities.
Strong analytical capability, with experience monitoring performance, investigating incidents and driving evidence‑based improvement.
High levels of personal integrity, collaboration and professional judgement.
As part of the UQ community, you’ll have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world, working together to create a better world. Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available.
Enjoy up to 26 weeks paid parental and primary care leave, 17% super, 17.5% leave loading, flexible and hybrid working options, health and wellbeing programs, a heavily discounted Study for Staff program, on‑campus childcare, affordable parking, and salary packaging.
For more information about this opportunity, please contact Melissa Glendenning | Director, Institute Operations at m.glendenning@uq.edu.au. For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at talent@uq.edu.au, stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line.
When you apply, please ensure you upload a resume and cover letter summarizing how your background aligns to the ‘About You’ section.
Pre-employment checks may include: verification of the right to work in Australia, qualifications and criminal history checks. This may also include checks relating to gender-based violence matters or other integrity and conduct requirements.
You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Employer sponsored work rights are not available for this appointment.
We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We recognise that career pathways and opportunities differ, and encourage applications from candidates who may not meet every criteria but can demonstrate their potential relative to opportunity. We’re also happy to support any accessibility needs throughout the recruitment process. Just let us know how we can help by emailing talent@uq.edu.au or calling +61 7 3365 2623.
Applications close Monday 11 May 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-63980). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for the week commencing Monday 18 May 2026.