About the WAEC

Western Australia is a great place to live and deliver elections. And it is getting better as we transform the Western Australian Electoral Commission (WAEC) into a leading electoral service through modernising systems, strengthening capability, and lifting the experience for voters and stakeholders.

Elections might look straightforward from the outside, but behind every polling place, ballot count and result is a team that is calm, switched-on, and committed to getting it right. From State Elections and by-elections to Local Government and a wide range of community and private elections, we are always planning, delivering, and improving.

At WAEC, we are guided by four values: Make it Count, Check Every Box, Focus on Fairness and Achieve Together. We are committed to recruiting people whose behaviours, leadership style and approach to public service align with these values, recognising that cultural contribution is as important as technical capability.

This is a rewarding opportunity to contribute to something bigger than an election -supporting trusted democratic processes and helping shape the future of WA.

The Opportunity

As the Returning Officer Manager, you will play a vital role in delivering trusted State and Local Government elections by ensuring key statutory election appointments are identified, engaged and supported at every stage.

Working with People, Culture and Safety and Electoral Operations, you will support Returning Officers, Returning Officer Liaison Officers and Presiding Officers through onboarding, training, payment, engagement and operational coordination. A key focus will be maintaining ongoing contact with statutory and temporary election appointees between electoral events, ensuring this talent pool remains informed, connected, capable and ready to support election delivery when required.

This leadership role requires strong planning and organisational skills, calm decision-making and the credibility that comes from hands-on election experience. As part of WAEC’s Electoral Operations team, you will support election delivery and help uphold the integrity of Western Australia’s democratic processes.

About You

You are an experienced operational leader who understands what it takes to coordinate and deliver trusted elections. You have managed complex, high-volume processes and understand the importance of critical appointments, onboarding and workforce readiness.

You bring strong planning and organisational capability, a hands-on and solutions-focused approach, and the ability to work effectively in fast-paced, time-critical environments. You are detail-oriented, proactive in identifying risks and confident in resolving issues as they arise.

You are a collaborative communicator who builds trusted relationships and takes pride in enabling others to perform at their best. You build purposeful relationships and maintain regular engagement to keep people connected, capable and ready to contribute when required. You are motivated by work that supports the integrity and transparency of the electoral process.

Want to know more?

For a confidential discussion about this opportunity, you are encouraged to contact Tina Wheatley, Director Talent Solutions, Price Consulting Group on 0494 660 344.

How to apply:

To apply, please submit:

• A covering letter (maximum two pages)
• A resume outlining the skills, experience, and capabilities you will bring to the role.
• In your covering letter, please outline your motivation for applying and how your skills, values and experience align with the role. We are particularly interested in your experience coordinating complex operational or project-based activities, including high-volume appointments or workforce deployment processes.

The Position Description is attached to assist you in preparing your application.

Applications close at 4PM (AWST) Monday 20 July 2026. Please allow sufficient time to submit your application, as late applications will not be accepted.

Select “Apply for Job” at the top or bottom of this advertisement to submit your application. Applications must be submitted online, and if you experience any issues, please contact WAEC Human Resources on (08) 9214 0400.  

Other Conditions and Eligibility

To be eligible for a permanent appointment to a position with the WAEC, it is essential that you are an Australian Citizen or have permanent resident status in Australia. Non-permanent residents of Australia are only eligible for fixed term appointments if they possess a valid visa with appropriate working rights for the duration of the fixed term appointment.

The successful applicant will be required to sign Declaration of Neutrality and Declaration of Confidentiality forms, confirming they have no active or official connection with any political party and will maintain the confidentiality required to protect the integrity of the Commission.

The work-related requirements for the role will be assessed throughout the selection process. A variety of assessment methodologies may be used throughout the recruitment process, including but not limited to skills assessments, psychometric testing, interview/s, and referee checks.