Manager, Policy and Legislation

• $163,604.00 per annum + 12% superannuation
• Full time, fixed term opportunity until 30/09/2026
• Wadawurrung / Geelong based role (hybrid – 3 days a week in office)

About the opportunity

The Manager, Policy and Legislation is responsible for providing strategic leadership on the formulation and implementation of critical strategic policy initiatives, deliver legislative and regulatory changes and associate impact analysis across occupational health and safety and workers compensation legislation.  The role undertakes a high level of complex investigative and analytical work that influences departmental policy direction, which has significant implications across WorkSafe Victoria operations, whilst working within clear and established management systems, legislative and regulatory provisions and professional standards.

This role supports WorkSafe to achieve quality professional outcomes for major projects by understanding the implications of the work and its impact on Departmental or Government policy and stakeholder risks.  The role identifies and responds to new and emerging issues and their longer term implications for the State and influences state and national debate on workplace health and safety, playing an effective role in reducing the incidence of workplace injuries and disease in Victoria and providing an effective worker’s compensation scheme.

Key accountabilities

• Provide expert strategic advice to influence, enable and support the development and implementation of legislative and regulatory reform, statutory guidance and non-regulatory policy options, including assessment of the most appropriate policy tool to achieve sustainable outcomes.
• Manage and lead a team of policy, strategy and legislative advisors in the development of significant policy matters, legislative or regulatory change and complex projects to meet corporate and government objectives, quality and time related standards.
• Manage a team to have end to end accountability for delivery of legislative reform, from policy development to making amendment to primary and subordinate legislation.
• Provide critical analysis and advice to the Legislation, Policy and Information Services (LPIS) management team, the Department of Treasury and Finance, other Government departments, Ministers Office and WorkSafe’s Executive Leadership Team (ELT and WorkSafe Board in relation to significant policy and implementation issues.
• Proactive identification and escalation of emerging trends, issues and risk in occupational health and safety and workers compensation policy and legislation, reviewing academic literature, case law, industry trends, research and activity in other jurisdictions both nationally and overseas, and keeping abreast of government, stakeholder and community views.
• Manage and lead the preparation and review of complex and time-critical documents including discussion papers, policy papers, ministerial briefings, cabinet documents, submissions to government and instructions to parliamentary counsel for the introduction and passage of bills through parliament.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, working collaboratively to identify and understand their view, utilising a variety of negotiation, presentation, communication and education techniques.

Please ensure you review the Position Description here for additional information on accountabilities for this role.

About you

You are a highly experienced policy professional, with demonstrated knowledge and in-depth understanding of the development of legislation, regulations and related Parliamentary processes. Your previous management experience brings exemplary leadership skills and the ability to meet deadlines and effectively manage complex and sensitive workloads. Your negotiation and influencing skills are highly developed, and your strong stakeholder management skills allows you to build and maintain trusted relationships with your stakeholder group.

Additionally, you will possess the following skills and experience:

• Demonstrated knowledge and in-depth understanding of the development of legislation, regulations and related Parliamentary processes including policy development, impact assessments, cabinet submissions and the passage of Bills through parliament
• Demonstrated experience in undertaking high-level complex investigative and analytical work that has significant implications across WorkSafe Victoria operations while working within clear and established management systems, legislative/regulatory provisions and professional standards
• Well-developed technical expertise in strategic policy development, and for providing strategic advice and support in the translation and application of policy in a government setting and in a sensitive, time pressured and complex environment
• Experience in direct management of a number of staff and experience in building capability within a team, including developing and coaching individuals and managing performance
• Demonstrated experience in developing legislative and/or strategic policy, gained in a government setting in occupational health and safety, workers’ compensation or other regulatory environment.
• High-level analytical and conceptual skills and the ability to provide creative and practical solutions to problems and to make decisions where there is limited precedent
• Advanced oral and written communication skills including the ability to explain complex or technical issues clearly and in a way that can be easily understood and accepted by a range of audiences and to represent WorkSafe within government and at stakeholder meetings, as required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of occupational health and safety and compensation law and/or or other relevant legislation
• A relevant tertiary qualifications in law, public policy, social sciences or economics 

Working with us

At WorkSafe, our goal is for every employee to feel connected, safe, and valued within their team, for teams to feel appreciated in the workplace, and for WorkSafe to be respected in the community.

We believe that a diverse workforce is essential for delivering the best outcomes for the Victorian community. We strongly encourage applications from all individuals, including First Nations people, people with disabilities, those from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, and individuals of all sexualities and genders.  

What’s next?

Applications close 11:00pm Thursday 2 October 2025. Click the link to apply, and join us in making a difference to Victorian lives.

Only applications submitted via the WorkSafe Careers website will be considered.

Preferred candidates will be required to satisfactorily complete a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and/or other checks as required for the position as part of the recruitment process.

Eligibility for ongoing employment with WorkSafe Victoria requires Australian or New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency.

Due to the volume of applications received, individualised feedback will only be provided to candidates who progress to interview stage.

For further enquiries please contact Bianca Stojanovski via email [email protected]