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About the Company 

At SA Water, our work sustains life. Every day, we deliver safe, reliable water and wastewater services to more than 1.8 million South Australians, supporting healthy communities across our state.

Behind this essential service are people who care. From engineering and science to construction, digital, operations and customer experience, every role plays a part. We bring our authentic selves to work, driven by purpose, supporting one another to deliver work that truly matters.

About the job  

This is a high-impact opportunity to lead SA Water's enterprise-wide government relations, ministerial engagement and parliamentary strategy for a trusted public utility delivering essential services to the community. You will act as a principal adviser to the Chief Executive and Executive Leadership Team, navigating complex and politically sensitive matters while shaping SA Water's engagement with Ministers, Parliament and government.

Leading a specialist, high-performing function, you will bring strategic clarity, authoritative judgement and deep expertise in Cabinet, Ministerial and Parliamentary processes, ensuring SA Water is positioned as a credible, proactive and trusted partner across government.

As SA Water's senior Government Relations leader, you will operate at the centre of strategic decision-making, providing expert advice on emerging issues, risks and opportunities. This is a highly visible executive leadership role operating in a fast-paced environment where responsiveness, sound judgement and the ability to influence outcomes on complex matters are critical to success.

This is a 3-year max term, full-time opportunity. 

About the Person

You are a highly experienced and trusted government relations leader, known for your sound judgement, political acumen and ability to navigate complexity with confidence and discretion. You bring deep expertise in Cabinet, Parliamentary and Ministerial processes, together with a proven track record advising senior executives on sensitive, high-impact and politically complex matters. Comfortable operating autonomously and at pace, you thrive in environments where priorities shift quickly, deadlines are critical and outcomes matter. You build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, provide clear and strategic advice, and combine exceptional communication and influencing skills with the flexibility and organisation required to manage competing priorities effectively.

About Policy and Corporate Services

Policy and Corporate Services provides the foundations that keep SA Water operating effectively. The team manages government relations, strategic policy, legal assurance and compliance, as well as governance and risk to ensure we meet our regulated and legislated responsibilities.

The team’s work is fast-paced and responsive to government priorities, evolving legislation and ministerial needs. You’ll be part of a team that adapts quickly, provides trusted advice, and ensures SA Water operates with confidence in a complex operating environment.

Working with Policy and Corporate Services means contributing to meaningful, high-impact work behind the scenes, helping keep essential water and wastewater services running while influencing decisions that matter for communities across South Australia.

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 and steward SA Water’s Government Relations function, building a high performing, and expert team.
• Provide end-to-end leadership of Cabinet, Ministerial, and Parliamentary engagement frameworks.  
• Drive responsive and effective engagement with the Minister’s Office, ensuring SA Water delivers timely, high-quality advice, briefings and correspondence.
• Advise the Chief Executive and Executive Leadership Team on political context, risks and opportunities.
• Drive proactive engagement with the Minister’s Office and key government stakeholders.
• Monitor emerging political and policy developments, providing proactive advice on issues that may impact SA Water, its customers and stakeholders.
• Represent SA Water in whole-of-government and cross-agency forums, influencing outcomes at a senior level.

Your success in this role will come from: 

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Law, Communications, Public Affairs or related discipline, or equivalent experience.  
• Extensive senior‑level experience advising executives and Ministers on Cabinet, Parliamentary and government decision‑making processes, including high‑risk and politically sensitive matters.
• Deep practical expertise in South Australian government processes, Cabinet and Parliamentary conventions, and Ministerial engagement, gained through substantial experience at a senior level
• Strong leadership capability in building and leading specialist professional teams, developing expertise and judgement in others.
• Advanced written and verbal communication expertise, including the ability to frame complex issues clearly for executive and Ministerial audiences.
• Demonstrated credibility in representing an organisation at senior whole‑of‑government and cross‑agency forums.
• Demonstrated capability to effectively manage competing priorities and adhere to strict deadlines

Further information can be found in the attached Candidate Pack: Senior Manager Government Relations.

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

Applications close 11:55pm, 20 July 2026.

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.