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 senior leadership role responsible for driving Melbourne Water’s heritage management, and implementation of major river and waterway strategic programs, with a strong focus on meaningful and impactful Traditional Owner engagement

A major focus is leading the implementation of the Yarra Strategic Plan — Burndap Birrarung Burndap Umarkoo (BBBU), as well as coordinating Melbourne Water’s actions within the Waterways of the West program. The role is about turning strategy into delivery, while maintaining strong external relationships and actively supporting Aboriginal self-determination in waterway management

• Effective delivery of Melbourne Water’s regulatory compliance and legislative requirements for Aboriginal and Historic heritage.Building Melbourne Water’s organisational capability in Aboriginal and Historic heritage management.
• Leading strategic engagement with Traditional Owners and key agency stakeholders.
• Providing expert advice to the Board, Executive and senior leaders on complex heritage matters.
• Overseeing delivery, reporting and stakeholder relationships for Burndap Birrarung Burndap Umarkoo - the Yarra Strategic Plan.
• Building awareness of the Plan to ensure responsible portfolios across Melbourne Water are aware of their commitments to deliver their actions under the Plan
• Managing program financials, government funding reporting and operational budgets.
• Leading a small team and creating a culture of safety, inclusion, performance and wellbeing.

For more information, please refer to the attached Role Mandate

In this role drive meaningful heritage outcomes, supporting Aboriginal self-determination, strengthening community trust, and helping Melbourne Water deliver major waterway commitments in a culturally respectful and operationally effective way.

About you:                          

• Extensive experience leading programs and teams delivering cultural heritage and collaborative environmental management programs.  
• Demonstrated high level relationship management experience with Traditional Owners in complex operating contexts.
• Advanced community engagement skills, with demonstrated background in risk and reputation management. Experience in waterway and natural resource management, ideally with experience in working with and improving Traditional Owner capacity for land and water management.
• You will need to hold a Tertiary qualification in Water and Environmental Management and/or Aboriginal Cultural Management.  

This is a role for someone who can operate at both a strategic and delivery level — influencing government and Traditional Owner relationships, advising senior leaders, and ensuring Melbourne Water delivers meaningful heritage and waterway outcomes.

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 15th July 2026 @ 11:55pm AEST