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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 Strategy is responsible for leading SA Water’s strategic planning and advice for major developments across the state. This role provides expert guidance on development proposals, growth planning and infrastructure needs, ensuring SA Water can support population and economic growth in the right places at the right time. It works closely with government, councils, industry and developers to influence planning decisions, identify risks and opportunities, and make sure SA Water’s services are aligned with South Australia’s long-term growth. The role also coordinates technical assessments, prepares strategic advice, supports policy development, and ensures major development activities contribute to sustainable, future-focused outcomes for SA Water and the community. 

About the Person

The ideal person for this role is someone who can confidently lead major development work from start to finish. They’re great at building strong relationships with government, developers and key stakeholders, and they know how to bring people together to make informed decisions. They can understand big strategic growth projects, spot risks early, and communicate clearly so everyone stays on track. This person is organised, proactive and comfortable coordinating lots of moving parts, from analysing infrastructure needs to managing commercial discussions and ensuring important milestones are met. Most importantly, they can turn complex information into practical advice and help SA Water plan for future housing growth, major developments and new strategic opportunities. 

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: 

• Lead strategic relationships with government and drive strong collaboration, decision making, commercial outcomes and strategies.
• Be a point of contact for government and private sector developers in relation to strategic projects. 
• Be across all announcements, strategic insights and details about strategic growth projects, government commitments and new growth fronts.
• Establish a program wide framework for strategic major developments to ensure effective and regular tracing and communication of program performance, progress, issues, risks, achievements and interdependencies with key stakeholders. 
• Manage a program of strategic major developments that includes the development and gathering of water and wastewater capacity assessments, risk assessments, infrastructure requirements, cost estimates, funding models and delivery plans.
• Manage major developments accounts and interfaces within Infrastructure Schemes (as advised by government) and other government commitments. 
• Ensure major development programs are well understood by business units to ensure priority, resources and budgets are adequately applied. 

Your success in this role will come from: 

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Business or other appropriate discipline equivalent experience.
• Qualifications in project management or other relevant accreditations.
• 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.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required for internal and external reporting, presenting, advising and briefing.
• Excellent and strong stakeholder engagement and relationship skills and experience. 

Further information can be found in the attached PD – Principal Advisor Major Development Strategy

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.