Work Health and Safety Manager

About VVMF

Lead Work Health and Safety (WHS) in an organisation unlike any other in Australia. Viral Vector Manufacturing Facility (VVMF) is Australia’s first commercial viral vector manufacturing facility, supporting the advanced therapies of the future.

Located in Westmead within the country’s largest health, education, research and innovation precinct. We produce clinical and commercial-grade viral vectors for advanced therapeutic applications and are building a leading Asia-Pacific CDMO capability. 

Our mission is to Unlock the Future of Medicine. That purpose is reflected in how we work and our Values. We are all in, all together, we think big and bold, are guided by science, fuelled by impact, and committed to doing the right thing, always.

We are still growing, which means your expertise will be visible, valued, and able to influence how VVMF develops.

Why this opportunity is different

• A genuinely distinctive environment. Help set the safety standard for a new advanced-therapies manufacturing capability in Australia.
• Senior, organisation wide influence. Report directly to the COO and work closely with the Executive Leadership Team and cross the organisation.
• Full WHS leadership with a broad scope. Own the full WHS remit, from strategy, governance, and regulatory liaison to incident management, training, and frontline consultation.
• Meaningful flexibility. A part-time leadership role with genuine responsibility and impact.

The opportunity

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, you’ll lead Work Health and Safety across VVMF. You’ll strengthen the foundations already in place, lead continuous improvement and ensure our WHS approach keeps pace with a growing cGMP biotechnology manufacturing environment.

As VVMF’s primary WHS expert, you will provide practical advice to leaders and teams, support employees, and contractors, lead regulatory engagement, and help make safety part of how decisions are made every day.

Your hands on leadership will strengthen the systems, capability, and culture needed for safe, compliant, and sustainable growth.

What you will lead 

• Deliver VVMF’s WHS strategy, objectives, and improvement plan in line with business growth and operational priorities.
• Maintain and improve the WHS management system, policies, procedures, risk registers, and audit program.
• Advise the COO, Executive Leadership Team, and other internal stakeholders on WHS risk, performance, legislative change, and due diligence.
• Lead risk assessments, incident and near-miss investigations, corrective actions, and emergency preparedness.
• Lead worker consultation and support the effective operation of the WHS Committee.
• Build safety capability through practical training, inductions and coaching for managers and teams.
• Partner with internal stakeholders, on contractor safety, plant and equipment, projects, physical and psychosocial hazards, and cGMP requirements.
• Prepare clear reports and dashboards that turn WHS data, trends, and audit findings into action.

About you 

You are an experienced WHS leader with sound judgement, strong technical knowledge, and a practical, collaborative style. You translate legislation into clear action, build trust across an organisation, and know how to strengthen safety ownership without losing sight of operational realities.

• A tertiary qualification in WHS, OHS, Risk Management, Science, or a related discipline (Diploma or Degree level); Certificate IV in WHS as a minimum.
• Previous experience in a WHS leadership role (as a guide, 5 to 7 years’).
• Demonstrated experience operating and improving a WHS management system, including investigations, risk registers, audits, and inspections.
• Strong working knowledge of WHS legislation, Codes of Practice and other relevant regulations.
• Experience managing incidents, and ability to liaise with SafeWork NSW or an equivalent regulator.
• Strong influencing, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Managed WHS Safety systems (previous experience with (Mitti/Safety Culture desirable).
• Experience in regulated manufacturing, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, laboratory, cGMP, cleanroom or biosafety environments is highly regarded.

Why join VVMF?

• Meaningful purpose. Contribute to the capability supporting next-generation therapies and patient outcomes.
• Visible impact. Take on an organisation-wide role with access to decision-makers and room to influence.
• Professional challenge. Lead WHS in a technically complex, highly regulated and rapidly developing environment.
• A values-led team. Work with people who care about the person as well as the outcome.
• Flexibility with substance. A senior part-time opportunity without reducing the scope or importance of the role.

Ready to make a meaningful impact?

Join VVMF and help shape the safety capability supporting Australia’s first commercial viral vector manufacturing facility.

Apply through SEEK with your resume and a short cover letter outlining your WHS leadership experience and interest in the role. Applications will be reviewed as received, so early applications are encouraged.

Applicants must have the right to live and work in Australia and be willing to undertake a National Police Check. Occasional flexibility may be required for incident response, audits, or production requirements.

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.