Manager Health & Building

• Exciting new permanent leadership opportunity
• Be part of a progressive Local Council and add value to our diverse community
• Annual salary of $147,921.46 - $177,595.83 plus super (effective from 7 July 2026) with a leaseback car available

About Us

Recently named Australia’s Coolest Neighbourhood by Time Out Magazine, Burwood is a place on the move.

A diverse, creative and globally connected community, Burwood is known for its vibrant streets, distinctive public spaces, bold public art, and one of Sydney’s most exciting food scenes. From cultural festivals and laneway activations to major streetscape transformations, the city is constantly evolving.

Behind it all is a Council that believes its people are the driving force of that momentum. Our team is central to delivering the ambitious vision set out in the Burwood Community Strategic Plan 2036, shaping how the city grows, how it is experienced, and how it is seen by the world.

Background

This newly created leadership role offers a unique opportunity to influence the future of Burwood by leading Council's environmental health, public health, building assessment, certification and building safety functions.

At Burwood Council, we’re committed to creating a safe, liveable and thriving community. We’re looking for a strategic and people‑focused leader who understands that great cities are built on strong foundations—healthy environments, safe buildings, vibrant public spaces and high‑quality urban outcomes.

You will lead a multidisciplinary team responsible for protecting public health and safety, delivering regulatory services and supporting the sustainable growth of one of Sydney’s most dynamic communities.

You will provide expert advice on complex health, building and regulatory matters, lead proactive inspection and compliance programs, and respond to risks to life, property and the environment. Through a balanced approach that combines education, engagement and enforcement, you will ensure issues are resolved fairly, consistently and in accordance with legislative requirements.

Working closely with colleagues, residents, government agencies and industry stakeholders, you will build strong relationships, provide trusted advice and represent Council in legal proceedings and professional forums when required.

Success in this role will require sound judgement, strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to balance community expectations, legislative obligations and practical outcomes. Most importantly, we’re looking for a leader who values collaboration, continuous improvement and service excellence—someone who is committed not only to achieving strong outcomes, but also to how those outcomes are delivered.

The Role

In this key leadership role, you will drive the delivery of high‑quality health and building services, ensuring a safe, compliant and well‑managed environment for the Burwood community.

• Lead and manage the full scope of Health & Building functions, including development compliance, certification, environmental health and safety programs
• Translate Council’s vision and strategies into practical policies, programs and high‑quality service delivery outcomes
• Oversee complex assessments, sensitive compliance matters and risk‑based enforcement, ensuring fair, consistent and timely decisions
• Drive proactive inspection programs and respond to risks to life, property and the environment through education, engagement and enforcement
• Provide expert, solutions‑focused advice and resolve issues through negotiation, mediation and strong stakeholder engagement
• Represent Council in legal proceedings, including Local and Land & Environment Court, upholding transparent and balanced regulatory practices
• Build and maintain strong relationships with the community, elected members, and industry stakeholders
• Lead, develop and motivate a high‑performing team while driving continuous improvement, sound governance, and efficient operations

To be successful in this role

• Tertiary qualifications in Environmental Health or Building Surveying (or equivalent), with current NSW Driver Licence and White Card
• Proven leadership experience in complex regulatory or local government environments
• Strong knowledge of public health, building and compliance legislation, with proven ability to share such technical expertise to a non‑technical audience with ease
• Experience leading proactive inspection, audit and public safety programs
• Demonstrated success managing and enforcing complex compliance and high‑risk regulatory matters
• Skilled in stakeholder engagement, negotiation and conflict resolution, with experience representing organisations publicly and in legal settings
• Strong business and operational management capability, including budgets, risk, WHS and performance
• A collaborative, forward‑thinking leader committed to continuous improvement, ethical practice and customer‑focused outcomes
• Willingness to complete pre‑employment checks, including a police check and pre‑employment medical

Culture & Benefits

• Great work/life balance with flexible working hours
• Fantastic team culture and supportive environment
• Lots of variety as Burwood continues to grow and develop with lots of exciting changes in the pipeline
• Participate in a range of Health and Well‑Being initiatives, including access to flu vaccinations, Fitness Passport and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Ongoing training and development opportunities