Manager Governance, Risk and Workplace Health & Safety (WHS) – Mai Wiru
Location: Adelaide, SA
Employment type: Full-time (3 days per week in office; 2 days WFH flexibility)
Reports to: CEO
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced and values-driven Manager of Governance, Risk, and Workplace Health & Safety (WHS&W;) to join our leadership team in Adelaide.
Reporting to the CEO, this role leads the organisation’s governance, risk, and WHS&W; functions. You will strengthen compliance, build organisational capability, and support the Board and Executive Team across governance, safety, and regulatory requirements.
You will be part of a passionate Executive Team committed to embedding culturally respectful governance and sustainable practices that reflect Mai Wiru’s strategy and values.
This is a unique opportunity to contribute to work that truly matters, helping to create secure, transparent, and accountable systems that enable better outcomes for communities.
About You
You are an experienced Governance, Risk Management, and Workplace Health, Safety, and Welfare professional who combines technical capability in these areas with purpose-driven leadership. You enjoy working collaboratively in a small team and understand the unique opportunities and challenges of not-for-profit and Aboriginal community organisations.
About Mai Wiru
Mai Wiru is a not-for-profit Aboriginal organisation dedicated to improving the health, wellbeing, and economic independence of remote Aboriginal communities across Central Australia. Through community-led programs, social enterprise initiatives, and partnerships, we work to ensure that Aboriginal people have access to nutritious food, meaningful employment, and sustainable business opportunities, always guided by cultural respect and community voice.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the development and continuous improvement of governance frameworks, policies, and reporting.
- Support the CEO and Board to meet statutory obligations across ORIC, ACNC, CATSI Act, WHS&W; and funding agreements.
- Prepare Board and Committee papers, maintain registers and compliance calendars, and coordinate governance reviews.
- Build governance capability through induction, training, and best-practice advice.
- Lead implementation of the organisation’s risk management framework, including maintaining and reporting on the organisational risk register.
- Embed risk awareness across business units, supporting leaders to identify, assess, and mitigate risk.
- Oversee business continuity planning, internal audits, and compliance reviews.
- Oversee the WHS&W; Management System and ensure compliance with all relevant legislation and promote a proactive, safety-first culture across all operations, including remote and high-risk environments.
- Conduct inspections, investigations, and safety audits, ensuring corrective actions are completed.
- Deliver WHS&W; training, induction, and reporting to the CEO and Board.
Requirements
- Tertiary qualifications in one or more of the following - Governance, Risk Management, WHS&W;, Business, or a related field.
- Minimum 2 years of experience managing governance, risk, or WHS&W; functions.
- Demonstrated experience developing systems, policies, and processes that strengthen organisational capability.
- An understanding of regulatory frameworks for not-for-profits and Aboriginal corporations (ORIC, ACNC, CATSI Act, WHS&W;) is desirable, but not essential.
- Willingness to travel periodically to remote communities for Board or project work.
- Experience working cross-culturally and/or in Indigenous corporations, not-for-profit, or social enterprise sectors is desirable but not essential.