Who we are

In Melbourne, water is essential to our way of life. As caretakers of Melbourne’s water cycle and catchments, we care for water, life, and land across the city. From protecting storages and preparing for floods, to delivering infrastructure and supporting healthy waterways, our work shapes how Melbourne lives.

At the same time, we plan for the future, preparing for climate challenges in a growing city and making sure this essential system works for generations to come.

If you want your work to make a real difference, are willing to dive into complex challenges, and believe in doing what’s right, you’ll find your place here.

About the Role

Play a pivotal role in shaping Victoria’s water future. As the Program Manager for Urban Water Planning & Delivery, you’ll lead a high‑impact portfolio of projects that directly influence long‑term water security for our communities. This is an opportunity to bring your program leadership expertise to a complex, meaningful environment—where your work will contribute to sustainable outcomes, smarter infrastructure delivery, and better services for millions of people.

In this role you will partner closely with government and water corporations and drive best‑practice approaches across a diverse program of capital works and strategic initiatives. If you’re energised by solving complex challenges, navigating dynamic stakeholder environments, and improving delivery performance at scale, this is a chance to make a real difference.

• Works with the Urban Water Planning and Delivery Team and DEECA to develop a coordinated program of work to support the Urban Water Options Investigations
• Supports Head of Urban Water Planning and Delivery in managing complex stakeholder requirements, authorising environments and regulatory frameworks, including regular reporting and governance requirements for Accord water corporations and DEECA.
• Develops frameworks to schedule and monitor works program, team budgets, and performance reporting frameworks.
• Develops project and contract delivery strategies and directly manages tender processes program delivery functions to ensure timely and efficient procurement activities.
• Proactively monitors project status, risks, and reporting, including to the Project Steering Group, GM Strategic Forum, MD Accord, Boards and DEECA
• Works collaboratively to drive continuous improvement and greater efficiency across the Team and its interactions with Accord Corporations

For more information, please refer to the attached Role Mandate 

Join us and help shape a resilient and sustainable water future—one program at a time.

About you:

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Significant experience working with and influencing diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, water corporations, boards, and executive forums.
• Deep understanding of regulatory environments, authorising environments, and governance frameworks, with the ability to manage complex stakeholder expectations.
• Strong relationship management, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Proven experience delivering large capital programs across the full project.
• lifecycle, from initiation and planning through to execution and closure.
• Strong capability in program project scheduling, resource planning, cost management, and performance monitoring.
• Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to assess project scope, challenge delivery assumptions, and drive value‑for‑money outcomes across complex capital programs.
• Ability to proactively manage project risks, status reporting, and governance requirements across multiple complex projects.
• Tertiary qualification or equivalent professional experience relevant to large capital program delivery with project or program management credentials (e.g. PMBOK, PRINCE2) would be highly regarded.

The role will suit someone who is comfortable operating in ambiguity, able to make sound decisions with evolving information and maintain momentum,during shifting priorities.

They can manage peaks and troughs in workload with resilience and composure, staying focused on outcomes while supporting the wider team and stakeholders through changing demands.

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 30th March 2026 at 11:55pm AEST