Manager Governance

City of Stirling; Perth; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free fitness facilities

Free parking

On-site staff cafe

Job summary

The City of Stirling is seeking a dynamic Manager Governance to lead the Governance function for WA's largest council by population. The role requires guiding statutory compliance, council advisory support, and engagement with elected members to deliver high-level governance outcomes.

Reporting to the CEO, you will oversee a team of 14 and collaborate with the Mayor and Councillors to implement reform and ensure robust decision-making frameworks across City operations.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of statutory, legal and contractual obligations.
• Experience administering Local Government Act 1995 and related legislation.
• Strong understanding of public policy issues impacting Local Government.
• Proven ability to lead and motivate a multi-disciplinary team.
• Senior leadership experience in a legislative-driven environment.

Responsibilities

• Advise Executive and Council on governance and compliance issues.
• Act as trusted advisor to CEO, Mayor and Councillors to ensure service delivery.
• Engage stakeholders and foster relationships supporting governance objectives.
• Oversee Council decision-making processes and statutory compliance.
• Manage Election processes and onboarding of new elected Members.
• Lead implementation of Local Government Act reform and related statutes.
• Manage Elected Member complaints, reporting, training and procedures.
• Attend agenda reviews and ensure accuracy of committee/minute preparation.
• Ensure efficient Council support services including inquiries and PD.
• Oversee citizenship ceremonies with dignitaries and agencies.

Skills

Statutory knowledge

Legal & contractual obligations

Public policy awareness

Leadership

Governance expertise

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Tertiary qualifications in Management or Law

Job description

Company Description

The City of Stirling is a diverse and thriving local government in Western Australia, with over 243,000 residents, spanning 30 suburbs. The City is a cosmopolitan, multicultural, and economic hub. With over 1,600 employees, the City embraces its diverse workforce by supporting work-life balance and offering opportunities for progression and development. Here at the City of Stirling, we celebrate and support inclusion and diversity.

Job Description

Manager Governance

• Lead the Governance function of WA's largest Council by population
• Free fitness facilities | Free parking | On-site staff cafe
• Up to $225,000 base salary and private use of City vehicle

About Us

The Office of the CEO has a service focussed ethos with specialist knowledge and expertise in Strategy & Performance, Governance, Internal Audit and Executive Services, partnering with its stakeholders to achieve the City's strategic and regulatory objectives. We foster an environment where our teams trust, support and encourage each other, seek continuous improvement and are equally accountable for the outcomes.

About the Position

Our Governance team fulfils a critical function at the City, responsible for delivering on three core functions including overseeing the decision-making framework of the City, managing Council business and providing support to Elected Members. These functions incorporate a variety of tasks, projects and processes all designed to ensure that the City provides high level advice and support to the Chief Executive Officer, Mayor, Councillors and our people to ensure the statutory and legal requirements of Council's operations are met, and that the City provides high levels of customer service

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, this position has three direct reports and an overall team of 14.

Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for advising the Executive and Council on the full range of governance and compliance issues
• As a trusted advisor to the CEO, Mayor and Councillors, ensures effective delivery of required services
• Engage effectively with key stakeholders, responding to governance-related inquiries and fostering positive relationships that support the City’s governance objectives
• Supports the Council’s decision making process and ensures compliance with statutory and legislative requirements.
• Overseeing the Election process for the City and the engagement of newly Elected Members to the City
• Responsible for the implementation of Local Government Act reform, and other statutory reform relevant to the Governance Business Unit.
• Responsible for Elected Member complaints management and reporting including the establishment of, and compliance with, appropriate procedures, monitoring, reporting, training and framework.
• Attend Agenda Review Meetings and assesses reports being submitted to Committee and Council Meetings for statutory, legislative and policy compliance
• Oversees Council and Committee meetings, including the preparation of agendas and minutes to ensure accuracy and compliance with the relevant statutory provisions and policies of the Council.
• Ensure Council support services are supplied in an efficient and effective manner including managing Elected Member enquiries, allowances, professional development, conferences, travel and workshops and briefings.
• Ensure the effective delivery of required services and stakeholder engagement of the Mayor and Councillors
• Oversees the administration and delivery of the City’s Citizenship ceremony function with invited Dignitaries, Elected Members, Recipients, and the Department of Immigration.

Qualifications

About You

• Extensive knowledge of statutory, legal and contractual obligations together with a proven ability to administer the Local Government Act 1995 and associated legislation in the field on local government and knowledge of public policy issues as they impact on Local Government.
• Tertiary qualifications in Management, Law, Business and/or a Public Sector Administration discipline.
• High level decision making ability which accommodates business, political and organisational sensitivity with the appropriate level of discretion and confidentiality.
• Proven ability to effectively lead, manage and motivate a multi-disciplinary work team to ensure divisional and organisational goals and objectives are achieved.
• Highly developed interpersonal, conflict resolution, negotiation, facilitation, and public speaking skills with the ability to communicate with a wide range of people and groups to ensure delivery of a high level of customer service.
• Highly developed analytical conceptual skills with the ability to solve day to day problems as well as think strategically
• Proven ability to research and write complex letters, reports and submissions.
• Extensive relevant experience working at a senior level in a legislative driven environment.
• Previous experience in local government at a senior management level.

For further information, please refer to the position description.

This full-time position is a Level 10 Inside Workforce Agreement position which attracts a salary up to $225,000 gross per annum plus superannuation and the private use of a City vehicle.

Additional Information

Why Join Us?

• Thrive in a dynamic and supportive team environment.
• Benefit from a variety of flexible work options and perks.
• Contribute to the development and enhancement of the City's critical initiatives.

The City of Stirling is dedicated to fostering an inclusive, diverse, and engaged workforce. We provide numerous flexible work options and benefits to ensure a rewarding employment experience. As the Manager Governance, you will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on our community by supporting our mission of delivering efficient, responsive, and sustainable services.

To be eligible to work for us, you need to provide, or have ability to obtain a:

• Copy of Australian driving licence
• National Police Clearance (valid within the last 3 months)
• Pre-Employment Medical and DAS clearance
• The right to work in Australia

Applications close 6pm on Friday 9 October 2026, however, please be aware that we may commence interviewing of candidates prior to the closing date.

The City embraces its diverse workforce by supporting work-life balance and offering opportunities for progression and development. Here at City of Stirling we celebrate and support inclusion and diversity.

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the City of Stirling, the Wadjak People of the Nyoongar Nation, and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia. We will act with compassion and respect towards all people and value people of all abilities, ages, religions, faiths, sexualities, gender identity and cultural backgrounds.