PRINCIPAL GOVERNANCE AND COMPLIANCE OFFICER

Personnel Area: Corporate Services

Branch: Support Services

Salary Range: Band 8 $150,432 - $162,791 AUD per annum + Superannuation

(Remuneration stated is for the full-time positions)

Work type:  Temporary Full-time

Duration: Up to 2 years (Extension/s thereafter but not guaranteed)

Location: Fortitude Valley, Green Square

Our Business

Brisbane City Council is one of the largest local governments in the Asia-Pacific region and one of the biggest employers in Queensland. We employ an inclusive and diverse workforce, with great benefits and flexible work options. A job with Council offers skill development, career mobility and access to benefits that matter.

Our Branch

Support Services delivers Council’s essential corporate and business support functions through a centralised service model. Our teams provide expert advice, systems, processes and operational support that enable Council to deliver high-quality services to the Brisbane community.

The Role

As the Principal Governance and Compliance Officer, you will provide expert governance, risk and compliance oversight for Council's Employee Services functions, with a focus on payroll services. You will play a critical role in strengthening compliance, supporting audits, reducing risk and helping deliver a secure, reliable and future-ready payroll function.

Reporting to the Employee Services Manager, you will work closely with Payroll Operations, Governance and Assurance, Finance, People and Culture to ensure payroll processes, controls and systems continue to meet regulatory and organisational requirements.

About you:

You are an experienced leader with strong technical and legal expertise in payroll governance, compliance and risk management. You are collaborative, analytical and comfortable influencing at all levels of an organisation.

To be successful, you will have:

• extensive experience leading teams responsible for payroll compliance, audits, risk assessments and internal controls
• proven success developing and maintaining compliance frameworks across payroll, superannuation, taxation, Awards, Certified Agreements and related legislation
• strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with demonstrated experience driving process improvement and compliance outcomes
• the ability to provide expert advice and influence decision-making across diverse stakeholder groups
• excellent communication, relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills
• experience supporting legislative and industrial change implementation within payroll environments.

Benefits of working for Council include:

• flexible working hours, and flexible arrangements
• free gym and wellness centre
• award winning superannuation fund
• generous leave provisions
• competitive salary.

Benefits of working for Council: CLICK HERE

How to apply:  Click on the 'I’m interested' button to complete your online application. Please upload your tailored resume and covering letter (of no more than one page) demonstrating your suitability to the position.

This role may require a Criminal History Check.

For more information: Zoe Hare, Talent Partner on 07 3178 5012.

People from diverse backgrounds, including those living with a disability and/or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who may have questions about the recruitment process or working at Council, are encouraged to reach out to the contact above, who can connect you with a member of Council’s Diversity and Inclusion team.

Application Closing Date: Sunday 16 August 2026 at 11:55pm AEST.

Brisbane City Council is a multi-award winning accessible and inclusive workplace where our people represent the diverse communities we serve, are supported, and can feel safe. Council has been awarded Employer of the Year at the National Disability Awards and has been recognised multiple times with ‘Gold Employer’ status from the Australian Workplace Equality Index for LGBTI inclusion.

Council and its employees must follow the Public Sector Ethics Act 1994 (Qld) and the Code of Conduct. This means employees are expected to act with honesty, fairness, and always prioritise the public interest over personal or private gain. The Code of Conduct requires employees to openly disclose any other work they do outside of Council — including paid or unpaid employment, operating their own business or volunteering in certain circumstances — and to manage any conflicts of interest or other risks (such as fatigue) in a way that puts the public interest first. Maintaining employment outside Council does not preclude you from being considered for roles within Council.