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

This is a Program Manager role within Engagement & External Affairs, focused on leading a portfolio of community and First Peoples initiatives that create meaningful, inclusive, and culturally informed outcomes.

The role will focus on bringing structure and momentum to complex programs. The Program Manager will coordinate multiple workstreams, manage priorities, oversee governance, track risks and dependencies, and make sure initiatives are delivered on time, within scope and aligned to Melbourne Water’s broader strategy.

The role will play a vital role in supporting reconciliation outcomes, including oversight of initiatives such as the Reconciliation Action Plan, Walking Country Together Leaders Forum and Cultural Advisory Group. With a key focus on collaborating with people, building trusted relationships across internal teams, community stakeholders, external partners, and First Peoples programs.

• Develop and oversee the implementation and reporting approach for the Melbourne Water Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)  
• Provide governance oversight and support to First Peoples’ programs such as the Walking Country Together Leaders Forum and Cultural Advisory group.  
• Drive program-level planning, including roadmap development, prioritisation, and alignment of initiatives to deliver intended outcomes and benefits.  
• Establish and maintain robust program governance frameworks, ensuring clear accountabilities, decision-making pathways, and effective escalation processes.  
• Provide strategic guidance and oversight to project leads, ensuring consistency, alignment, and adherence to engagement frameworks and organisational standards.  
• Implement and embed program management methodologies, tools, and reporting systems to support effective coordination and transparency.  

For more information, please refer to the attached Role Mandate

Thrive in a role where you can contribute to important organisational commitments, support First Peoples initiatives, and help build stronger, more trusted relationships between Melbourne Water, communities, and partners.

About you:                          

• Lived experience and/or a strong understanding of cultural sensitivities, with the capability to support culturally informed engagement, build trusted relationships, and contribute to meaningful outcomes for First Peoples and community stakeholders.

• Experience in program or portfolio management, ideally across complex, multi-stream initiatives in government, infrastructure, or community-focused environments.  

• Strong understanding and experience in developing and delivering Reconciliation outcomes and/or an ability to adapt similar skills/experiences to First Peoples programs.  
• The person will need to be confident influencing others, including Senior Leaders, bringing clarity to complex issues, and supporting project leads to deliver consistent, high-quality outcomes

• Relevant tertiary qualification in public policy, business, project/program management, social sciences, community development, or a related discipline (or equivalent practical experience).   

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 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: Wednesday 15^th July 2026 at 11:55pm AEST