National Safety and Compliance Manager

Ouden Consulting; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Ouden Consulting is seeking a senior safety and compliance leader for a nationwide role based at the Minchinbury NSW site. You will own the Safety Management System, lead a national team and act as the safety and compliance presence on site in Sydney.

Responsibilities include driving the SMS across the business, tracking HVNL changes, managing PBS compliance, and reporting to senior leadership. A Certificate IV or Diploma in WHS or related safety/transport qualifications are highly regarded.

Qualifications

• Five+ years of leadership in safety, compliance or operations within road transport.
• Strong knowledge of HVNL, Chain of Responsibility and 2026 reforms.
• Experience embedding SMS and lifting safety culture across multiple sites.

Responsibilities

• Drive the Safety Management System across the business and align with HVNL and NHVAS/HVA reforms.
• Lead and develop a national safety and compliance team.
• Monitor NHVR/regulatory changes and translate into practical procedures.
• Manage PBS compliance, including vehicle approvals, permits and conditions.
• Lead operational safety including fatigue, mass, dimensions, loading and Chain of Responsibility.
• Report SMS effectiveness to senior leadership quarterly.

Skills

Leadership experience

Safety & compliance leadership

HVNL knowledge

PBS knowledge

Reporting to leadership

Education

Certificate IV in WHS

Diploma in WHS

Job description

Interstate linehaul | Minchinbury NSW | Full time

Our client is an established national transport business running long-distance interstate linehaul across Australia. With the amended Heavy Vehicle National Law now in force, they need a safety and compliance leader to own their Safety Management System and set the standard across every site.

The opportunity

This is a senior national role based at the Minchinbury site. You will lead the safety and compliance team across the country, act as the key safety and compliance presence on site in Sydney, and work directly with the leadership team.

What you'll do

Drive the Safety Management System throughout the business and keep it aligned with the amended HVNL and the Heavy Vehicle Accreditation scheme that commenced on 1 August 2026

Lead, coach and develop a national team of safety and compliance professionals

Track NHVR and regulatory change and turn it into practical procedures operations can follow

Manage Performance Based Standards (PBS) compliance, including vehicle approvals, permits and operating conditions

Lead operational safety, including fatigue, mass, dimension and loading, and Chain of Responsibility, alongside physical workplace safety at depots and yards

Report on compliance performance and SMS effectiveness to senior leadership each quarter

Build a culture where safety is owned by drivers, operations and leaders alike

About you

At least five years' leadership experience in safety, compliance or operations within road transport

Compliance leadership at state level as a minimum, with national experience strongly preferred

Strong working knowledge of the HVNL, Chain of Responsibility and the 2026 reforms, including the move from NHVAS to HVA

Hands-on experience with PBS vehicles and the regulations that govern them

A track record of embedding an SMS and lifting safety culture across multiple sites

Confidence reporting to senior leadership and influencing people at every level

Ambition to keep building your career in a growing business

A Certificate IV or Diploma in WHS, or tertiary qualifications in safety, transport or logistics, will be highly regarded.

What's on offer

A key leadership role in a national business

Direct exposure to the senior leadership team

The chance to shape safety and compliance under the new HVNL framework

Genuine scope for career progression as the business grows