Who we are

In Melbourne, water is essential to our way of life.

As caretakers for Melbourne’s water cycle, and our catchments. We care for water, life, and land throughout Melbourne: both its people and its biodiversity.

Each time you drink from the tap, flush a toilet, or kayak down the Yarra we’re there. Primed and ready, quietly delivering some of the world’s cleanest water for over five million residents and wildlife that call Melbourne home, just as we have for over 130 years.

About the Role

Join the Research and Modelling portfolio as the Manager, Drinking Water Research and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of safe, resilient drinking water for Greater Melbourne. This role, leads a forward-looking research program that directly informs water quality strategy, infrastructure planning and operational decision-making, ensuring the region remains equipped to manage emerging risks and a changing climate. You will work at the intersection of science and impact, translating innovative research into real-world outcomes that protect public health and strengthen long-term water security. Using your research expertise and professional networks you will build partnerships with leading national and international researchers to drive innovation across the water sector, while contributing expert insight that supports both strategic planning and day‑to‑day water supply operations.

• Technical leadership of the design, execution and effectively communication of research initiatives, including supporting knowledge transfer and adoption of research outcomes.
• Provide internal and external expert advice and be a knowledge focal point for science relating to the Water Supply Domain, including supporting the development and review of relevant service strategies and adaptive plans.
• Implement a structured stakeholder engagement program to foster and maintain an internal network of Melbourne Water colleagues across the value chain portfolios to understand business research priorities, secure support/sponsorship of research projects and drive effective.

Please find refer to the attached Role Mandate

About you:

• A qualification in a discipline related to water supply management.
• Experience designing, delivering, and publishing scientific research, including field-based research.
• Experience in managing projects, budgets, and procurement activities; ability to manage time effectively and meet critical deadlines.
• Experience working effectively in multidisciplinary teams; developing constructive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Mature communication and facilitations skills, including the ability to prepare materials for non-technical audiences.
• A standout candidate will demonstrate advanced spatial and data-driven analytical capability.

Why join us:

At Melbourne Water, we care deeply about water and the life it sustains. 

Our team is inspired by passion and purpose, with an unwavering commitment to safety. We are on a mission to protect every Melburnian’s way of life, one drop at a time.

We do not just talk about flexible working, we live it. Our culture of purpose, safety, results, and learning flows through everything we do. We're dedicated to doing what is right, and this commitment extends to the meaningful work we do in a supportive and inclusive culture that encourages you to make the most of your talents.

Our long-standing commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging means that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTIQ+ individuals, Neurodivergent Individuals, people living with disability, mature age and young jobseekers from all cultures can apply with confidence knowing they are safe, affirmed, and celebrated.

If you are curious, action-orientated, outcomes-focused, and enthusiastic about public resources, community, and the environment, we'd love to receive your application and learn if you could be a great fit. 

How to Apply

Click the 'Apply Now' button below and complete our online application form.

Closing date:  Thursday 9th July 2026 at 11:55pm AEST