Waterways Strategy Lead

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, run through a backyard sprinkler, or kayak down the Yarra we’re there, silently delivering some of the world’s cleanest water for over five million residents and wildlife that call Melbourne home. If you value making it count, diving in with curiosity, and doing what’s right, you're in the right place. Who we are Melbourne Water has been quietly delivering some of the world’s cleanest water for over 130 years while caring for water, life and land throughout Melbourne. About the Role Join us in shaping the future of Victoria’s waterways Melbourne Water is seeking a skilled and collaborative Waterways Strategy Lead to help shape the future of our region’s catchments and waterways. This role is responsible for leading the development and implementation of key strategies, including the Regional Catchment Strategy (RCS) and Regional Waterways Strategy (RWS), in close collaboration with internal teams, Traditional Owner groups, and external stakeholders. We’re looking for someone who thrives on building strong relationships and navigating complex stakeholder environments. You’ll be responsible for coordinating cross‑sector governance through the Catchment Partnership Agreement, delivering stakeholder engagement initiatives, and ensuring that our strategies reflect Traditional Owner aspirations, legislative obligations and community expectations. Your ability to bring people together and maintain momentum across diverse interests will be critical to success. This role also contributes to the strategic oversight of the Healthy Waterways Strategy (2018–2028), supporting its evaluation, reporting, and alignment with other guiding plans such as the Yarra Strategic Plan, Waterways of the West, and the Biodiversity Conservation Action Plan. You’ll play a key role in ensuring our strategies are not only well‑designed but also effectively communicated and implemented. Act as a communication conduit between the RLG and key delivery partners across the sector. Facilitate the implementation of RLG‑initiated actions and interventions. Provide secretariat and other support as directed by the chair of the RLG. Provide expertise in developing, maintaining and influencing key strategic internal and external relationships. Support the development of future Healthy Waterways Strategies. Support the strategic alignment of the HWS with other guiding strategies and plans including Yarra Strategic Plan, Biodiversity Conservation Action Plan and Regional Catchment Strategy. For further information please refer to the Role Mandate. Qualifications Degree qualified in relevant discipline and/or extensive experience in a similar role in the environment and water sector. Extensive experience leading and influencing cross‑sectoral initiatives in complex operating environments. Experience working in a corporate environment, and the ability to embrace complexity and ambiguity and translate them into concrete working programmes and deliverables. Experience in coordinating workshops and events. If you’re a strategic operator with a strong track record in stakeholder engagement and a passion for delivering meaningful environmental and community outcomes, we’d love to hear from you. 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: Sunday 11th January :55pm AEST #J-18808-Ljbffr