Safety Manager

Lead safety at Carriageworks, driving WHS systems, compliance, and a proactive safety culture across a dynamic arts precinct.

CARRIAGEWORKS 

Carriageworks is a unique cultural centre located in Redfern, Sydney.  Built within the spectacular Eveleigh Railway Workshops, it hosts vibrant arts events and a thriving creative industries program.  As well as popular events such as the weekly Farmers Market, Sydney Writers’ Festival, and Sydney Contemporary Art Fair, Carriageworks presents its own compelling programme of music, theatre, dance, and visual arts. Carriageworks operates with a purpose-driven, not-for-profit mission while maintaining an entrepreneurial and commercially oriented approach.  With a recent renewal at both executive and board levels, Carriageworks is poised for a transformative phase in its history, promising significant growth, and impact in the years ahead

CARRIAGEWORKS VALUES 

• Respect Each Other: Everyone is welcome. Everyone’s voice is important. We learn from each other by listening with empathy and care.  
• Share The Journey: Support others to be their best. We act with integrity and trust. We are collectively responsible.  
• Be Adventurous: Embrace creativity. We search for courageous ideas and new opportunities.   
• Take A Long View: Respect Country, priorities sustainability and nurture new ways of thinking out of old. We lay foundations for generations to come.  

OPPORTUNITY

Carriageworks is looking for a proactive and practical Safety Manager to help drive safety outcomes across one of Australia’s most dynamic arts and cultural organisations.

This role would suit someone with a solid WHS foundation who is ready to take the next step in their career, or an experienced safety professional looking for a role with breadth, autonomy and variety. You’ll be encouraged to bring forward ideas, identify opportunities for improvement and work closely with teams across the organisation to turn those ideas into meaningful outcomes.

From major concerts and festivals to exhibitions, theatre productions, film shoots, workshops and building operations, no two days at Carriageworks are the same. You’ll partner with operational teams to deliver practical safety solutions, strengthen our safety culture and help ensure our people, artists, contractors and visitors can do their best work safely.

We’re looking for someone who enjoys building relationships, solving problems and finding practical ways to make a positive impact in the workplace.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the Director, Safety, Risk and Building Facilities, you’ll play a hands-on role in strengthening our safety culture, managing critical risks, supporting workers and leaders, and ensuring compliance across a diverse and fast-paced operational environment.

You’ll be trusted to identify opportunities, bring forward ideas and take ownership of improvements from concept through to implementation.

Driving safety improvement

• Lead practical safety initiatives that improve how we manage risk across the organisation
• Conduct risk assessments and help operational teams implement effective controls
• Review workplace practices and identify opportunities for continuous improvement
• Undertake inspections, audits and assurance activities
• Monitor legislative changes and industry developments

Managing incidents and investigations

• Oversee incident, hazard and near miss reporting processes
• Lead investigations and identify root causes
• Drive corrective actions through to completion
• Manage notifiable incident reporting requirements

Workers compensation and injury management

• Manage workers compensation claims from start to finish
• Coordinate return-to-work and recovery-at-work programs
• Work closely with injured workers, managers, insurers and rehabilitation providers
• Support managers to implement suitable duties and workplace adjustments
• Track claim progress and ensure all documentation and compliance requirements are met

Supporting events and productions

• Work alongside production, programming and operations teams to deliver safe events
• Review event safety plans, risk assessments and emergency arrangements
• Provide practical safety advice across concerts, festivals, exhibitions, productions and filming activities

Building a strong safety culture

• Facilitate consultation and engagement across the organisation
• Support Health and Safety Representatives and WHS Committee activities
• Deliver training, inductions and toolbox talks
• Encourage proactive hazard reporting and worker participation
• Help embed safety as part of everyday decision-making

ABOUT YOU

You’re confident, practical and solutions-focused.

You enjoy being out on the floor speaking with people, understanding how work gets done and finding ways to make it safer. You have ideas, and more importantly, you know how to turn them into action.

You may already be working as a Safety Manager, or you might be an Advisor or Coordinator ready to take the next step in your WHS career.

You’ll bring:

• At least 3 years’ experience in a WHS role
• A Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety
• Return to Work Coordinator certification (or ability to obtain)
• First Aid Certificate (or ability to obtain)
• Experience within film, events, entertainment, arts, construction, property, facilities management or other high-risk operational environments
• Knowledge of NSW WHS legislation and Codes of Practice
• Demonstrated experience in incident investigations, workers compensation and risk management programs
• Experience working with contractors and multiple duty holders
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills
• Flexible approach to working hours, including capacity to work evenings and weekends as required.

Desirable Qualifications

• Cert IV Training and Assessment
• ICAM certification or equivalent investigation training
• Emergency Management or Risk Management qualifications

WHY CARRIAGEWORKS

Carriageworks is one of Australia’s leading contemporary arts organisations, presenting an ambitious year-round program of performances, exhibitions, festivals, events and creative projects.

This is a rare opportunity to build your safety career in a complex, varied and highly visible environment where you’ll have the autonomy to make a genuine impact.

If you’re someone who sees opportunities, takes initiative and enjoys turning ideas into action, we’d love to hear from you.

APPLY: Please submit your cover letter and your resume to [email protected], outlining your experience against the role responsibility areas. Applications will be treated in the strictest confidence. 

Carriageworks values diversity and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities. We encourage applications from individuals who may have less experience due to their unique circumstances but demonstrate a strong willingness to learn and grow in the role. If you are passionate about joining an exciting team and contributing to a culture of diversity and inclusion, we welcome your application and look forward to the unique contributions you can bring to our team.

Application Closing Date: Tuesday 28th July 2026