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

Melbourne Water is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Strategic Flood Adaptive Planning Specialist to lead the development of an adaptive planning program long term Flood and Drainage Service.

This specialist role plays a critical part in ensuring Melbourne Water can anticipate, assess, and respond to emerging opportunities, risks and long-term pressures driven by climate change, urban growth, and evolving community expectations.

Reporting to the Manager Strategic Flood and Drainage Planning, you will establish and lead a comprehensive adaptive planning program that guides how Melbourne Water manages future flood risk across the Port Phillip and Western port region. A key part of this role is establishing alignment between the Flood Service Adaptive Plan program and the Flood Information Program’s forward approach, ensuring both streams work cohesively to support long-term, evidence-based decision making. In this role you will provide

• Strategic direction on future flood risk, integrate climate and land use change considerations.
• Shape adaptive pathways that inform investment, policy, asset management, and service delivery over time.
• Influence and leadership to how Melbourne Water builds resilience across our city’s catchments and communities.

For more information, please refer to the attached Role Mandate

About you:

To be successful in this role you will have a:

• Strong expertise in floodplain management, strategic planning, adaptative planning or related fields 
• Strong capability in systems thinking, long-term planning to a 50-year horizon and flood risk assessment. 
• Experience leading complex, multistakeholder programs or frameworks. 
• Ability to translate technical insights into clear strategic direction. 
• A collaborative mindset and confidence working across teams, programs, and partners. 

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 don’t 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's 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’re curious, action-orientated, outcomes-focused, and passionate 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: Monday 16^th February 2026 at 11:55pm AEST