At Compass Group Defence, we deliver essential services that keep Australia's Defence personnel healthy, comfortable, and mission-ready. From nutritious meals and quality accommodation to cleaning and transport services, our teams support thousands of Defence members across Australia every day.

We are looking for an experienced and proactive Safety Advisor to join our Defence business. Based in Canberra, you'll partner with operational leaders across NSW and the ACT, providing expert health, safety, environmental and food safety guidance across our diverse operations.

This role supports key service lines including food services, accommodation, cleaning and transport, ensuring safe, compliant and high-performing workplaces across multiple Defence sites. Working closely with operational leaders, you'll provide expert advice and guidance across all service lines, helping to drive a strong safety culture, strengthen food safety compliance, manage operational risks and deliver continuous improvement across a diverse and complex environment.

Why Join Us?

• Canberra-based role with regular travel across Defence sites
• Hybrid work arrangements available
• Work alongside a supportive national HSEQ team
• Opportunity to influence safety culture across diverse operations
• Exposure to food, accommodation, cleaning and transport environments
• Genuine career development opportunities within a global organisation

The Role

As a Safety Advisor, you will play a critical role in supporting safe, compliant and high-performing workplaces across multiple service streams.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing expert WHS, environmental and food safety advice to operational teams
• Supporting food safety compliance programs across Defence dining facilities
• Conducting risk assessments and developing safe work procedures
• Leading incident investigations and implementing corrective actions
• Supporting injury management and return-to-work processes
• Conducting site audits, inspections and compliance reviews
• Ensuring compliance with legislative, client and company requirements
• Coaching managers and frontline teams to strengthen safety capability
• Supporting accommodation, cleaning and transport teams to manage operational risks
• Identifying trends and driving continuous improvement initiatives across safety and quality performance

About You

We're seeking a collaborative safety professional who enjoys working closely with frontline operations and influencing positive outcomes.

You'll bring:

• Australian Citizenship and the ability to obtain a Defence Security Clearance
• Certificate IV in Work Health & Safety as a minimum (Diploma or Degree highly regarded)
• Experience in a Health, Safety, Environment and Quality role
• Strong incident investigation, risk management and auditing capability
• Experience supporting operational environments such as hospitality, accommodation, facilities management, food services, cleaning, transport or other multi-site service operations
• ICAM investigation training and root cause analysis experience (desirable)
• Food safety experience, HACCP knowledge or food industry qualifications (highly regarded)
• Current unrestricted driver's licence
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills
• The ability to build relationships with operational leaders and frontline teams

The Benefits

As part of Compass Group, you'll enjoy:

• Access to hundreds of retail discounts and benefits
• Salary packaging options to maximise your take-home pay
• Health and wellbeing programs for you and your family
• Recognition and reward programs
• Ongoing learning, development and career progression opportunities
• The support and stability of a global organisation

ESS is a market leader in delivering hospitality and support services to Defence, offshore and remote sites across Australia. From dining facilities to accommodation and recreation services, we support Defence communities every day.

We are committed to a fair, equitable and accessible recruitment process. If you require adjustments or alternative formats, please contact us at 1300 TALENT or careers@compass-group.com.au.

We celebrate diversity and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people of all backgrounds, ages, sexual orientations, gender identities and people with disability.