Child Safety Policy & Project Specialist

Careers at Council; Sydney; On-site; AUD 112,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary package: $111,776 - $124,574 p.

35-hour week (temporary full-time)

Wellbeing & wellness programs

Interviews within 2 weeks

Job summary

Sutherland Shire Council is seeking a strategic Child Safety Policy & Project Specialist to lead reform across the organisation. You will drive policy development, governance reform and sustainable change to embed child-safe practices.

Reporting to the Senior Manager Early Education & Child Protection, you will oversee the Early Education Child Safety Reform Program and help shape Council's renewed Child Safe Action Plan for children, families, and staff.

Qualifications

• Qualifications in Early Childhood Education or related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience in leading child safety, safeguarding, governance, policy or organisational reform projects.
• Strong knowledge of child safety obligations, safeguarding frameworks and risk management practices.
• Highly developed analytical, project management and policy development skills.
• Experience building relationships and influencing outcomes across complex stakeholder groups.
• Exceptional written communication skills, including policy development, reporting and executive-level briefings.
• Current Working with Children Check (for paid employment).

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of the Early Education Child Safety Reform Program.
• Drive the development of Council's renewed Child Safe Action Plan.
• Influence organisational policy, governance, culture and practice for years to come.
• Shape how child safety is understood, governed and delivered across the organisation.
• Strengthen safeguarding practices, risk management and workforce capability across services.

Skills

Analytical skills

Project management

Policy development

Executive briefings

Stakeholder influence

Written communication

Education

Early Childhood Education

Child Development

Education

Social Work

Community Services

Public Policy

Governance

Job description

Child Safety Policy & Project Specialist

Drive meaningful child safety reform. Create lasting change.

At Sutherland Shire Council, we're looking for a passionate and strategic child safety professional to lead significant reform initiatives that will strengthen how we safeguard children, support our workforce and embed child-safe practices across one of NSW's largest local government organisations.

This is more than a policy role. It's an opportunity to challenge the status quo, shape best practice, and help build a culture where child safety is everyone's responsibility.

Reporting to the Senior Manager Early Education & Child Protection, you'll lead the delivery of our Early Education Child Safety Reform Program and drive the development of Council's renewed Child Safe Action Plan. Your work will influence organisational policy, governance, culture and practice for years to come.

The Opportunity

This is a rare opportunity to lead child safety reform across one of NSW's largest councils.

You’ll drive strategic initiatives that strengthen safeguarding practices, influence organisational decision-making and embed sustainable change across diverse services. Working closely with leaders and subject matter experts, you'll help shape how child safety is understood, governed and delivered across the organisation.

From leading policy and governance reform to strengthening child-safe systems, risk management and workforce capability, you'll have the opportunity to deliver meaningful improvements that support better outcomes for children, young people and families across our community.

About You

You're someone who sees child safety as more than compliance.

You are driven by the opportunity to improve systems, influence practice and deliver meaningful outcomes for children and families. You're comfortable navigating complexity, building relationships across diverse stakeholder groups and translating legislation, standards and policy into practical, measurable change.

You’ll bring:

• Qualifications in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Education, Social Work, Community Services, Public Policy, Governance or a related discipline
• Demonstrated experience leading child safety, safeguarding, governance, policy or organisational reform projects
• Strong knowledge of child safety obligations, safeguarding frameworks and risk management practices
• Highly developed analytical, project management and policy development skills
• Experience building relationships and influencing outcomes across complex stakeholder groups
• Exceptional written communication skills, including policy development, reporting and executive-level briefings
• A current Working with Children Check (for paid employment)

Experience within local government, early education or another complex multi-service organisation will be highly regarded.

Why Join Us?

At Sutherland Shire Council, you'll be part of a purpose-driven organisation committed to creating safer environments for children and young people. You'll work alongside passionate professionals, enjoy genuine organisational support for reform, and have the opportunity to leave a lasting impact through work that matters.

Join our Team and Grow with Us!

• Package: $111,776 - $124,574 gross p.a. plus 12% superannuation.
• Hours of work: Temporary Full Time (Opportunity is expected to be available for up to 2 years. Working 35 hours per week. You will have the option of a 19 day month with Council's ADO system (Accrued Day Off).)
• To benefit your wellbeing: you will have access to fitness passport, employee assistance program, annual flu shots, health and wellbeing programme and novated lease options.
• Interview date: Interviews will be facilitated within 2 weeks of job ad closing.

Suitable candidates are subject to pre-employment screening which includes Reference Checks, Work Rights Verification, Identity and Functional/Medical History Checks, and will also include a Criminal History, Qualification and Working with Children Check. Employment is subject to clearance of all these checks.

Reach out to Renae Giles, Senior Manager Early Education & Child ***************@ssc.nsw.gov.aufor any job specific enquiries.
Jodi Johnson, Talent Acquisition Business ***************@ssc.nsw.gov.aucan assist with any recruitment related enquiries.

Council is a Child Safe Organisation and is committed to ensuring the NSW Government’s Child Safe Standards are incorporated in our procedures, practices, programs, and events.