Project Health Safety Environment Manager

NOVA Partners; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

NOVA Partners is seeking an experienced Work Health and Safety Lead/Manager– Projects in Melbourne to drive a portfolio of WHS improvement initiatives. This hands‑on role reports to the Chief People Officer and collaborates with the WHSE team, leaders, employees and contractors.

The successful candidate will deliver risk‑based WHS projects, update documentation, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards in a highly regulated defence/tech environment.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated WHS project delivery experience in complex environments.
• Strong knowledge of Commonwealth WHS Act, regs and codes of practice.
• Experience with hazardous chemicals management and dangerous goods.
• Ability to translate regulatory requirements into practical actions.
• Proven project management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Relevant tertiary or diploma‑level WHS qualification.
• Experience in ISO 45001‑aligned WHS systems.
• Experience in defence, advanced manufacturing or regulated sectors.
• Experience with contractor safety assurance and training frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead a portfolio of safety improvement projects from assessment to handover.
• Develop and maintain WHS management system documentation.
• Coordinate with senior leaders, engineers and contractors on safety initiatives.
• Update emergency planning, response procedures and drills.
• Strengthen chemical management framework and controls.
• Establish contractor onboarding, prequalification and safety verifications.

Skills

WHS project delivery

WHS regulations

Hazardous chemicals

Contractor safety

Emergency management

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

ISO 45001 knowledge

Defense/regulatory sector

Training frameworks

Education

WHS/OHS risk mgmt qualification

Job description

• 12-Month Contract with potential for extension
• Leading Defence Technology Group

About the Opportunity

Our client is a well-established, highly regarded organisation operating in the Defence and technology sector. As part of a continued investment in workplace safety, they are seeking an experienced Work Health and Safety (WHS) Lead/Manager– Projectsto lead and deliver a defined program of priority WHS improvement initiatives across the business.

This is a hands‑on, individual‑contributor role for an experienced WHS professional who enjoys taking projects from initial assessment through to design, consultation, implementation and handover — rather than a day‑to‑day site safety management position.

They are very focused on their values and teamwork, sharing ideas and celebrating team success, respecting every role and person in the business, and growing whilst retaining this positive workplace model.

The Role

Reporting to the Chief People Officer and working closely with the internal WHSE team, operational leaders, employees and contractors, you will lead a portfolio of safety improvement projects, including:

• Hazardous chemical management – reviewing and strengthening the chemical management framework, registers, safety data sheets and controls
• Emergency planning and response – updating emergency management plans, emergency response procedures, and supporting emergency exercises
• Contractor safety management – improving contractor on‑boarding, induction, prequalification, risk assessment and implementing a contractor safety verification program
• Training and verification of competency – establishing frameworks for WHS training, licensing, competency recording and verification for safety‑critical roles
• WHS management system documentation – reviewing and updating WHS policies, procedures, work instructions and supporting documentation to align with current workflow processes
• Project delivery governance – developing project plans, milestones and reporting, and transitioning completed projects to business‑as‑usual owners

About You

• Demonstrated experience delivering WHS projects within a complex operational, engineering, manufacturing, construction or similarly regulated environment
• Strong working knowledge of the Commonwealth WHS Act, Regulations, Codes of Practice and contemporary WHS management principles
• Practical experience in one or more: hazardous chemicals management, contractor safety assurance, emergency management, WHS document review or verification of competency frameworks
• Proven ability to translate regulatory requirements into practical operational solutions, with strong project management and stakeholder engagement skills
• Relevant tertiary or diploma‑level qualification in WHS, OHS, risk management or a related discipline
• A pragmatic, collaborative approach and the ability to work independently and drive projects to completion
• Formal project management qualification or demonstrated project delivery track record
• Experience within an ISO 45001‑aligned WHS management system
• Experience in Defence, advanced manufacturing, engineering or another highly regulated sector
• Experience with hazardous chemicals and dangerous goods management

Essential: Due to the nature of this engagement, applicants must be Australian citizens who already have a Baseline Security Clearance and willing to secure an NV1 security clearances.