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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 Principal Advisor Major Development Planning and Performance plays a strategic role in shaping, guiding and optimising the organisation’s major development activities. The position leads the development, coordination and continual improvement of planning frameworks, performance monitoring, governance processes and investment evaluation to ensure major projects are delivered effectively and aligned with organisational priorities. It provides expert advice to senior leaders, translates complex data and analysis into clear insights, and supports decision-making that strengthens project outcomes and organisational performance. The role also drives collaboration across business groups, ensures consistency in reporting and standards, and champions best practice in planning, risk management and operational excellence to enable long-term, sustainable development. 

About the Person

The ideal candidate for the Principal Advisor Major Development Planning and Performance role is someone who is great at turning complex information into clear, useful advice. They are highly organised, confident working with data, and able to spot risks or issues early so projects stay on track. They work well with senior leaders and different teams, bringing people together and helping everyone stay aligned on goals and priorities. This person is comfortable developing frameworks, improving processes, and creating simple, consistent ways to track performance. They communicate clearly, think ahead, and can balance detail with big-picture planning. Most importantly, they are reliable, collaborative, and able to guide others, so major projects run smoothly and deliver strong outcomes for the organisation. 

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: 

• Establish a framework across Major land Developments to ensure effective data capture, reporting, tracking, performance measures (KPIs), escalation and consequence management.
• Provide advice to senior management about land development performance issues and consequences to the housing industry and/or government.
• Input and develop online/website information and reporting that will ensure timely, up to date and useful information that will improve the experience and interface between SA Water and developers. 
• Work together with Major Development Services to identify commercial risks, ensure they are recorded and managed.
• Be aware of safety risks and hazards associated with working with high impact projects, external facing work, publicly visible projects.
• Monitor major growth fronts and developments, develop pipelines of major land developments to ensure resources can be allocated, business readiness.

Your success in this role will come from: 

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Finance, Business or other appropriate discipline equivalent experience.
• Qualifications in project management, performance management, business improvement, change management or other relevant disciplines.
• Demonstrated skills and experience in leading, delivering and coordinating the successful implementation of high impact programs of work.
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of supporting/coaching business teams and stakeholders through high impact programs of work and transformational initiatives.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills required for internal and external data reporting, presenting, advising and briefing.
• Excellent and strong stakeholder engagement and relationship skills and experience. 

Further information can be found in the attached PD – Position Description Principal Advisor Major Development Planning and Performance

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, 23 December 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.