Free Position Description (General Manager) Template

Purpose of the Free Position Description (General Manager) Template

Defining the role of a General Manager (GM) is critical for any organisation's success, and this includes their significant responsibilities for work health and safety. Our Free Position Description (General Manager) Template provides a structured starting point for outlining the authority, accountabilities, and core competencies for this senior leadership position.

A well-crafted Position Description ensures the GM understands their role in championing a positive safety culture, driving compliance, and allocating the necessary resources for an effective safety framework. It formalises their duties, including the specific 'officer' duties required under Australian WHS legislation.

This template helps organisations clearly articulate how the GM's leadership directly influences the entire safety management system. It establishes clear expectations for performance, linking executive decision-making to practical safety outcomes on the ground. By using this Position Description as a foundation, you can ensure your senior leadership is equipped and accountable for building and maintaining a safe and healthy workplace, which is a core component of all effective WHS management systems.

How to use the Free Position Description (General Manager) Template

Using this template is straightforward. First, download the document in your preferred format (DOCX for easy editing or PDF).

The template is structured with key sections typically found in a senior executive PD, including position summary, key responsibilities, qualifications, and performance indicators, with a strong focus on WHS leadership.

You can then edit the document to align with your organisation’s specific structure, industry, and operational risks. Fill in the placeholder text with details relevant to your business, such as reporting lines, specific strategic objectives, and key internal and external relationships.

Important: This is a template only. We've designed it as a comprehensive starting point, but you must customise it to reflect the specific operational realities, risks, and legal structure of your organisation.

It is not a substitute for legal advice or professional WHS consultation. Every workplace is unique, and this document must be adapted accordingly.

When to Use This Position Description

This template is most useful during several key business phases. The most obvious is during the recruitment process for a new General Manager, where it ensures all candidates have a clear and consistent understanding of the role's safety obligations.

It is also invaluable when conducting annual performance reviews for an incumbent GM, providing a benchmark against which their WHS leadership and performance can be measured. Furthermore, it should be reviewed and updated during any significant organisational restructure or following a major update to your safety management system to ensure it remains current and relevant.

Who Should Use It

This resource is designed for use by several key stakeholders within an organisation. Human Resources (HR) managers will find it essential for recruitment, onboarding, and performance management processes.

Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and company Directors can use it to formally delegate WHS responsibilities and establish clear lines of accountability. WHS managers and professionals can also use this template to collaborate with HR and the executive team, ensuring that safety leadership is properly embedded at the highest levels of management.

Using a clear PD like this also provides a solid foundation for subsequent WHS compliance audits by demonstrating that roles and responsibilities have been formally defined.

WHS Responsibilities for a General Manager

A General Manager holds a pivotal position in influencing an organisation's safety performance. Their PD must clearly outline duties such as:

• Exercising due diligence to ensure the organisation complies with all relevant WHS laws.
• Actively promoting and fostering a proactive, positive safety culture across all departments.
• Ensuring adequate financial and physical resources are allocated for managing WHS risks.
• Reviewing safety performance reports and ensuring corrective actions are implemented effectively.
• Leading incident investigations for serious events and championing a 'lessons learned' approach.

Defining these responsibilities is not just good practice; it's fundamental to meeting legal obligations. For organisations needing support in translating legal duties into practical management actions, engaging in specialist WHS consulting can provide valuable clarity and direction.

Integrating with Certified Systems

For organisations certified or seeking certification to international standards, the GM's role is paramount. This Position Description template can be easily adapted to include specific responsibilities required by standards like ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems).

These duties often involve demonstrating leadership and commitment, ensuring the OHS policy and objectives are established and compatible with the strategic direction, and promoting continual improvement. Aligning the GM's PD with these frameworks is a critical step, and our ISO 45001 consulting services can guide you through this integration process.

By clearly defining the General Manager's role from the outset, your organisation sets a powerful precedent for safety leadership. This template is just one of many tools available in our free resources library designed to help you build a stronger, safer workplace.