Arc @ UNSW is a public company, limited by guarantee, governed by a Board of Directors. Arc is a voluntary student membership organisation that provides recreational, cultural, representational and retail services to the students of the University of New South Wales (UNSW). The organisation operates commercial businesses to maintain financial viability and to provide student services and programs for members.
Arc @ UNSW directly employs approximately 70 staff on a permanent basis and approximately 200 casual employees. The organisation also utilises the time and resources of a large number of student volunteers to administer programs and events. Sub-brands managed by Arc include Arc Clubs, Arc Volunteering, Arc Sport, Arc Wellness, Arc Creative, Roundhouse, Home Ground and The Grad Shop.
Arc is the cool older sibling at UNSW. We pride ourselves on our obsession with student life because we know that the best part of going to uni is all the fun stuff you do outside the classroom. Our mission is to create the best student experience and we do that through a huge range of opportunities and services available to students online and in person. Working at Arc you’ll join a welcoming team of passionate people who believe in listening to students, working together and constantly being better. Plus there are plenty of employee perks like cake, volleyball, Arc Wellness and heaps more.
Job Description
The Risk & Safety Lead is responsible for driving Arc's organisational risk management, ensuring that robust frameworks, controls, and assurance processes are embedded across all operations. This role holds ownership of Arc's Work Health & Safety (WHS) and risk governance systems, ensuring legislative compliance, strengthening organisational accountability and fostering a proactive risk culture.
The position leads operational and strategic risk initiatives, maintains Arc's risk register, delivers clear risk insights to the Executive Team, and coordinates Arc's WHS and compliance programs.
The Risk & Safety Lead works proactively with departments to identify hazards, implement preventative controls, oversee investigations, and build organisational capability in risk awareness and safety practices.
KEY TASKS
Lead Arc’s risk management & WHS framework, ensuring systems, policies and controls remain current and effective and aligned.
Maintain organisational risk registers and ensure risks are accurately assessed, recorded, reviewed, escalated and reported through appropriate governance channels.
Conduct structured risk reviews, internal audits and control testing to evaluate operational risk maturity.
Prepare Executive and Board reporting with clear insights, trends and recommendations.
Partner with managers to develop practical mitigation strategies and support the implementation of required controls.
Drive risk and WHS culture uplift through awareness, accountability and capability building across departments.
Work Health & Safety Leadership
Lead Arc’s WHS systems including policies, procedures, contractor management, risk profiling and documentation.
Provide expert WHS advisory support to managers to ensure legislative compliance and risk-informed decision making.
Lead incident investigations, root cause analysis and corrective action implementation.
Monitor trends in hazards, incidents and near-misses to inform proactive intervention strategies.
Chair and administer the WHS Committee and ensure actions are delivered to completion.
Compliance & Assurance
Monitor WHS, employment and regulatory changes, assess organisational impacts, and ensure policies and procedures are updated accordingly.
Ensure Arc maintains compliance with regulatory requirements, internal policies, and audit obligations.
Oversee record keeping and documentation for WHS, training, audits, and incident reporting.
Develop annual risk and WHS work plans aligned to Arc’s strategic and operational priorities.
Training, Culture & Capability Building
Develop and deliver training programs in risk awareness, incident reporting, hazard identification, emergency response and WHS responsibilities.
Embed risk and safety expectations into onboarding and leadership development.
Build capability across Arc to ensure leaders and teams understand and implement controls effectively.
Continuous Improvement
Identify opportunities to streamline processes and strengthen controls across Arc operations.
Partner with managers to develop risk mitigation strategies and maintain safe work environments.
Contribute to digital improvements in WHS and risk reporting systems.
Desired Skills and Experience
Bachelor's degree in Work Health & Safety, Risk Management, HR, Business or related field (Equivalent combination of relevant training and professional experience may be considered in lieu of a formal qualification)
Minimum 2–4 years experience in risk, safety or compliance roles
Experience coordinating organisational risk or WHS programs
Strong knowledge of WHS legislation, risk frameworks and compliance principles
Experience in incident investigation and risk assessment methodology
Capability to prepare high-quality reporting
Strong stakeholder engagement, influence and communication skills
High attention to detail and strong analytical capability
Proficiency in WHS or risk systems and Microsoft Office
Professional integrity, confidentiality and sound judgement
Please note that Arc will have a year-end break from close of business on Friday 19 December 2025 and will reopen on Monday 5 January 2026. As a result you may not hear back from us regarding your application or any questions you have sent through until after we come back in 2026. Thanks for your understanding and patience.
