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About the Company 

SA Water is a successful, modern water utility wholly owned by the Government of South Australia. We employ more than 1,700 people across a broad range of disciplines who operate more than $14 billion worth of infrastructure to deliver essential water and sewerage services to more than 1.8 million South Australians.

We operate in a geographically and climatically diverse service area, with sites and locations from Ceduna through to Port Augusta, the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands, across to the Riverland, down to Mount Gambier, and most places in between.

Our strength and expertise have been shaped by our history. For more than 165 years, South Australians have depended on us to innovate and deliver efficient and sustainable water services. With nationally and internationally recognised industry expertise, we’re focused on understanding and meeting our customers’ expectations.

As well as safely delivering smart and reliable services for our customers of today, we innovate to shape the water solutions of the future that will support thriving economies and healthy communities.

We are driven by our values; we value our people, we do work that matters, we keep it real, we know that our work has impact and we are future focussed. Staying true to our values ensures that we consistently deliver positive outcomes for all South Australians.

About the job  

The Manager, Major Development Services plays a key role in enabling South Australia’s growth by leading the team responsible for managing major developer and commercial customer connections to SA Water’s infrastructure. This role combines strategic and technical leadership, overseeing complex development projects, ensuring customer solutions are commercially sound and technically robust and building strong relationships across government, industry and internal stakeholders.

With a focus on collaboration, service excellence and transformational change, the Manager Major Development Services drives outcomes that support sustainable development and enhance the liveability of communities across the state.

About the person

The ideal person for this role is a determined and adaptable leader who thrives in complex, fast-paced environments. They bring strong problem-solving skills and the ability to navigate challenging stakeholder relationships with confidence, diplomacy, and resilience. They are highly agile in their approach, they can balance competing priorities, adapt quickly to shifting demands and maintain focus on delivering outcomes that are commercially sound and strategically aligned.

With a calm and solutions-focused mindset, they inspire their team to perform at their best, driving collaboration, accountability and a commitment to delivering excellent results for customers and the community.

About Growth

The Growth group is at the heart of shaping South Australia’s future. This team plays a key role in supporting the state’s housing and infrastructure growth by delivering trusted water services that unlock land for development, create thriving new communities, and sustain existing regions. With a strong focus on single-point accountability, they ensure efficiency, consistent decision-making, and seamless connections for our customers. By bringing expertise and innovation together, they help drive smarter solutions and stronger partnerships that support South Australia’s growth for generations to come.

In addition, your responsibilities will include: 

Fostering trust with our people, customers and community by providing expert advice and service that ensure we effectively communicate and engage audiences with our business strategy and its delivery across South Australia, every day. 

You will: 

• Ensure business plans are developed to achieve strategic priorities and performance goals of team members are aligned, ensuring accountabilities and authorities are clear and that direct reports have the authorities needed to be able to achieve their work.
• Lead and implement business transformation projects, leading to a Business-to-Business approach with developers that will improve the developers' experience.
• Provide expertise and influence commercial outcomes for current and potential business growth opportunities for SA Water by building strong relationships with the development industry.
• Ensure the outcomes in the South Australian Government Housing Roadmap are developed and delivered.
• Manage multiple complex developer agreements and commercial arrangements in line with SA Water policies and financial guidelines.
• Build and maintain a strong, constructive working relationship with staff, focussed on achieving business goals and enabling staff to work safely to their full potential.
• Set effective baseline conditions for productive work by completing important people management processes of selection, induction, assessment and recognition of performance.

Your success in this role will come from: 

• Tertiary qualifications in Business Management, Finance, Law, Commerce, utility services management and/or extensive industry experience.
• Demonstrated experience in a similar position within the development/infrastructure industry.
• Demonstrated leadership experience and ability in leading a team to achieve a set of complex and technical outcomes.
• Proven ability to negotiate and influence stakeholders including demonstrated experience managing complex contracts and resolving disputes.
• Proven experience working and multi-tasking under pressure, able to respond quickly to changing situations in complex environments.
• Highly articulate with strong communication and networking skills, ability to prepare clear responses/narrative quickly to meet the needs of various stakeholders.
• Understanding of the drivers of economic reform in the economy and the public sector generally and strong understanding of net present value financial modelling.
• Experience in account management, change management, and transformational change.
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of the Water Industry Act 2012, Development Act 1993 and/or similar complex legislation.

Further information can be found in the attached PD – Manager Major Development Services.

To apply, click 'Apply'. Please submit and complete the application form, upload a cover letter and current resume. For enquiries, please contact Steph Haines from the Talent Acquisition team steph.haines@sawater.com.au.

Applications close 11:55pm, 13 November 2025.

A great customer experience is best achieved by having a diverse and inclusive team that reflects the community we serve. Applications are encouraged from everyone, including people living with disability, job seekers of all ages, members of the LGBTIQA+ community, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people from culturally diverse backgrounds. 

Our Industry is like no other. Dive into the wonderful world of water and explore the boundless opportunities. Learn more about the water industry at careersinwater.com.au.

Please note: We request that recruitment agencies do not submit candidates for this position, as they will not be accepted.