Lead Governance & Access to Information

Bayside Council (NSW); Sydney; On-site; AUD 119,000 - 134,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

3 extra days off at Christmas

10 sick leave days

5 days MyLeave

Parental leave entitlements

Employee Assistance Program

Fitness Passport

Annual skin checks & flu vaccinations

Job summary

Bayside Council in Rockdale, NSW, Australia, is seeking a Governance leader to drive best-practice governance, compliance and policy management across Council. You will lead the Governance and Access to Information teams, strengthening frameworks, policies and processes to ensure legislative compliance, transparency and organisational excellence.

Ideal candidate has extensive governance experience, tertiary qualifications, and a track record of leading multi-disciplinary teams in local

Qualifications

• Extensive governance experience with policy and compliance responsibilities.
• Local Government experience is highly regarded.
• Ability to lead and supervise a multi-disciplinary team.
• Ability to interpret and apply legislation to governance policies and procedures.
• Experience with access to information and records management requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide subject matter expert advice on governance policies, procedures, delegations and statutory requirements.
• Coordinate Council’s Governance framework and implement improvements.
• Oversee delegations and legislative compliance processes and changes.
• Maintain registers including GIPA, Delegations, Donations, Sponsorship and Conflicts of Interest.
• Oversee development, implementation and review of the Policy Framework.

Skills

Governance experience

Policy development

Statutory compliance

Legislation interpretation

Leadership

Communication skills

Team supervision

Access to Information (GIPA)

Education

Tertiary qualifications

Tools

HPE Records Manager

Electronic document management system

Job description

• Centrally located in Rockdale (close to public transport)
• Supportive team with opportunity to grow

Location : Bayside Council, Sydney, NSW, Australia

• Full-time position - 35 hours per week span across evenings
• Centrally located in Rockdale (close to public transport)
• Supportive team with opportunity to grow

Our team

At Bayside Council, we are committed to a positive, flexible and supportive workplace culture, where our people and customers feel respected and valued. We are proud to serve our community through operating with transparency, integrity and in the best interests of the Bayside community to deliver exceptional service.

About The Role

The City Performance directorate underpins the delivery of service excellence by providing expertise in financial services, governance and business technology.

This is an exciting leadership opportunity to drive best-practice governance, compliance, and ethical decision-making across Council. Leading the Governance and Access to Information teams, you will strengthen governance frameworks, policies, and processes while partnering with stakeholders to ensure legislative compliance, transparency, and organisational excellence.

About the role

• Provide subject matter expert advice on Governance matters including policies, procedures, delegations, legislation, probity and statutory requirements
• Coordinate Council’s Governance framework providing expert advice to Executive and staff and continually review and implement improvements to the Framework.
• Coordinate and have oversight of delegations and legislative compliance including managing the process to identify legislation changes and make responsible officers aware of such changes
• Maintain various registers including but not limited to GIPA, Delegations, Donations and Sponsorship and Conflicts of Interest /Pecuniary Interest etc.
• Oversee the development, implementation and review of Council’s Policy Framework, including coordinating the regular review and updating of Policies on the Council Policy Register.

About you

• Extensive experience in a governance related role.
• Tertiary qualifications and/or knowledge and experience in a relevant field.
• Experience in Local Government (would be highly regarded).
• Demonstrated experience in developing, implementing and maintaining governance frameworks, policies, procedures and related systems that support legislative compliance and organisational best practice.
• Demonstrated experience in governance, with experience in at least three (3) of the following areas:
  • Access to Information (Government Information (Public Access) Act)
  • Policy development, implementation and monitoring
  • Statutory Compliance, Business paper administration, Delegations, Probity, Investigations
• Highly developed written and verbal communications skills, including the ability to prepare accurate and timely reports, policies, correspondence, presentations and other governance documentation.
• Experience in effectively leading and supervising a multi-disciplinary team.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply legislation, policies and manuals including the Local Government Act 1993, Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 and Privacy & Personal Information Protection Act 1998.
• Experience in an electronic business paper system and HPE electronic document management record system.
• Current Driver's Licence Class C.

Our Benefits And Culture

• 3 extra days off during Christmas each year
• 10 days sick leave each year
• 5 days MyLeave allowing flexible personal leave each year
• Additional parental leave entitlements for both parents
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Access to Fitness Passport
• Annual skin checks & flu vaccinations

Closing date:

Friday 25 September 2026.

Salary Range:

$119,426 - $133,757 pa +12% Superannuation

Applicants may be required to satisfactorily undertake a Criminal History Check, Medical and/or Working with Children check in accordance with the position.

Bayside Council is proud to be both an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Child-Safe Organisation. We are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and safe workplace where all individuals regardless of background, experience, or identity, feel valued and respected. We also recognise the rights of children and young people to feel safe when accessing Council services, and we strive to maintain an environment that promotes their safety and wellbeing. All hiring decisions are based solely on individual merit and alignment with requirements of the role. Applicants can request a reasonable adjustment at any stage during the recruitment process by getting in touch with our Talent Acquisition team to discuss their needs in confidence.