Risk and Insurance Specialist

About the role Knox City Council is seeking a Risk & Insurance Specialist to join our dynamic Governance and Risk team. This is an operationally focused risk and insurance role for a seasoned professional who understands the complexities of working within a large, diverse and highly operational organisation. You will work closely with business areas across Council, providing practical and commercially minded advice to identify, assess and manage risks that may impact service delivery, people, assets, operations and the community.

As the Risk & Insurance Specialist, you will play a pivotal role in strengthening Council’s risk culture and supporting business areas to effectively manage both strategic and operational risks. You will provide hands-on risk advice, contribute to business continuity and crisis preparedness, support the Audit and Risk Committee, and assist the organisation to build resilience and respond effectively to emerging risks and operational challenges.

You will also lead Council’s insurance renewal program and manage liability claims in collaboration with Council’s insurers and contracted claims manager. This will require a strong understanding of operational exposures, insurance requirements and the practical application of risk controls across a complex organisation. Your critical thinking, operational insight and initiative will enable you to identify opportunities to streamline processes, strengthen controls, improve risk practices and deliver a responsive risk management service to internal and external customers.

Reporting to the Head of Risk & Assurance, this is a permanent position based at the Civic Centre, Wantirna South. We support flexible working arrangements while ensuring the operational needs of the role are met. This is a Band 7 classified role. Remuneration will be $115,162.08 - $129,157.23 (depending on experience) plus superannuation in accordance with the Superannuation Guarantee. What you will bring to this role We are looking for a seasoned risk management and insurance professional with strong experience working in a large, complex and operational environment.

You will understand that effective risk management is not simply about frameworks and compliance — it is about working alongside operational teams to identify real-world risks, develop practical solutions and support safe, resilient and effective service delivery. The key selection criteria for this role are: Relevant tertiary qualifications in Risk Management, Business Management, Insurance, Business Continuity or a related discipline Significant experience in risk management, insurance, internal audit and business continuity within a large operational organisation.

Substantial experience working within local government, the public sector or another complex, service-based operational environment, with a strong understanding of the risks and challenges associated with delivering services to the community. Demonstrated ability to provide practical and credible risk advice to operational leaders and business areas, translating risk principles into workable controls and solutions. Proven experience identifying, assessing and managing strategic and operational risks, including the ability to understand the impact of risk on people, services, assets, reputation and organisational objectives.

Experience managing insurance programs, renewals and claims, with an understanding of the operational exposures that underpin insurance requirements. Demonstrated experience managing complex workloads, competing priorities and sensitive matters in a fast-paced operational environment. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify improvement opportunities and implement practical changes. Demonstrated astuteness and discretion in dealing with sensitive, confidential or critical correspondence and matters.

Initiative, enthusiasm, flexibility, sound judgement and a strong work ethic, with the ability to build effective relationships across all levels of an organisation. What will your day-to-day responsibilities look like? Risk Management Framework: Lead the development, implementation and ongoing maintenance of Council’s risk management framework, with a strong focus on strategic, operational and legislative compliance risks.

Operational Risk Management: Work directly with business areas and operational leaders to identify, assess and manage risks, ensuring risk treatments and controls are practical, proportionate and aligned with service delivery requirements. Positive Risk Culture: Promote a proactive and practical risk culture across Council by building awareness, delivering training and embedding effective risk management into day-to-day operations and decision-making.

Risk Management System: Oversee the implementation and management of Council’s enterprise risk management system, ensuring effective recording, monitoring and reporting of strategic and operational risks. Risk Advice: Provide expert, practical and strategic risk advice, including risk assessments, control reviews, treatment strategies and reporting to support safe, effective and resilient operations. Insurance: Lead Council’s insurance renewal processes, assess operational exposures, manage liability claims and work collaboratively with insurers and the contracted claims manager to ensure appropriate coverage and effective claims outcomes.

Internal Audit: Assist with the development and coordination of a risk-based internal audit program with a strong operational focus, supporting compliance, accountability and continuous improvement. Audit Recommendations: Monitor and support the implementation of internal audit recommendations and corrective actions, working with business areas to strengthen controls and address identified risks. Business Continuity: Develop, review and implement business continuity plans to ensure Council is prepared to maintain critical services and respond effectively to operational disruptions.

Crisis Management: Support crisis management planning, preparedness and response activities to strengthen organisational resilience and minimise the impact of significant operational events. Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities to improve risk management processes, systems and controls, and lead initiatives that strengthen the effectiveness and efficiency of Council’s risk management service. How to apply Please submit your application, including your resume and cover letter online via the ‘Apply’ button by 12pm on Friday 30 October 2026.

All applications must be made via the online portal. No applications direct to the hiring manager will be considered. For further information on this role please contact Debbie Pulham, Head of Risk & Assurance at [email protected] or on 0456 782 803. A link to the position description can be found in the job listing on our Knox City Council Jobs and Careers page. Please note: Candidates will be shortlisted as applications are received and this role may close earlier than the anticipated closing date.

Why work at Knox Discover your future at Knox City Council, where you will deliver meaningful impact, find great opportunities and work with committed people to shape our community. As an employee of Knox, you can enjoy: Accrued or rostered days off available for full-time roles, depending on operational requirements Broad range of leave options including 18 weeks' primary and 5 weeks' secondary parental leave Salary sacrifice option for Council-owned childcare fees Opportunities to take on temporary roles or work in different teams to build skills and support career growth Support towards further study 50% off Knox Leisureworks memberships Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for support in managing personal and work-related challenges.

To find out more about the benefits of working at Knox City Council, visit knox.vic.gov.au/why-work-knox Inherent requirements To view the inherent requirements for this position please see attachment below. Office Based role(s) - Inherent Requirements Table .DOCX Our commitments Knox City Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to providing a workplace that embraces diversity and inclusion. We are committed to a positive, barrier-free recruitment process.

If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application. Knox City Council has zero tolerance for child abuse and all forms of harm to children. All children and young people who access our services, programs, events and facilities have the right to feel safe and be safe. This includes spaces owned or managed by Council. We take the wellbeing and safety of children and young people in our care seriously.

We maintain a child safe organisation by embedding the protection of children into everyday thinking and practice. All Knox City Council employees, contractors and volunteers are responsible for ensuring children and young people are valued, heard and protected from abuse. Knox City Council acknowledges our offices are located on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation.

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