In Melbourne, water is essential to our way of life.
As caretakers for Melbourne’s water cycle, 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 or kayak down the Yarra, we’re there. Primed and ready, quietly delivering some of the world’s cleanest water for over five million residents and wildlife that call Melbourne home, just as we have for over 130 years.
If you value making it count, diving in with curiosity, and doing what’s right, you're in the right place.
Salary MWEA Level 7: $115,394 + Super
Reporting to the Manager Service Enablement Healthy Waterways, this fixed-term opportunity (to 24 December 2026) is ideal for a Senior Project Officer or professional who is experienced in projects related to public open space and land development to lead the delivery of the Maintenance Agreements log Program under Project Headway.
Working closely with the Project Manager – Project Headway, you will coordinate and deliver a complex program of work focused on reviewing, developing, and negotiating Maintenance Agreements between Melbourne Water and Local Councils for Stormwater Quality Wetlands, Constructed Waterways, and Retarding Basins across Melbourne’s growth areas.
This role will suit someone who thrives in a collaborative environment and has a proven track record of stakeholder engagement, negotiation, and delivering outcomes in complex, multi-stakeholder settings.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading the planning, prioritisation, and delivery of Project Headway initiatives.
- Managing the review, development, and negotiation of Maintenance Agreements with Councils.
- Building strong relationships with internal stakeholders and Local Councils to achieve agreed outcomes.
- Influencing and negotiating with key stakeholders to resolve issues and progress delivery objectives.
- Managing procurement activities and consultant/service provider contracts.
- Preparing high-quality reports, executive briefs, and project updates.
- Identifying risks, driving continuous improvement, and ensuring compliance with governance requirements.
- Promoting a strong safety culture and supporting safe work practices.
You are a highly organised project professional with experience delivering complex programs in environments such as water, land development, infrastructure, or local government.
You will bring:
- Demonstrated experience delivering multiple projects or workstreams, balancing competing priorities and deadlines.
- Proven experience developing, reviewing, and negotiating agreements, contracts, or similar documentation.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills, with the ability to influence and negotiate effectively with senior stakeholders, including Local Government representatives.
- Experience in procurement and contract management.
- Excellent communication, problem-solving, and reporting skills with a strong focus on outcomes.
- Experience with asset or enterprise systems such as Maximo, GIS (ESRI), or similar platforms (desirable).
- Knowledge of Drainage Service Schemes, wetlands, waterways, retarding basins, or similar asset and service frameworks (desirable).
For more information, please review the attached position description: Senior Project Officer (Project Headway).pdf
At Melbourne Water, we care about water and all life that springs from it.
Our people are fuelled by passion, and with safety at the forefront, we have an unwavering sense of purpose, and are on a mission to protect every Melburnian’s way of life, one drop at a time.
We walk the talk when it comes to flexible working – but that’s not all. Our culture of purpose, safety, results, and learning permeates 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 care deeply for public resources, community, and the environment, we'd love to receive an application and learn if you could be a great fit.
Click the '' button below and complete our online application form.
Closing date: Sunday 12th July at 11:55pm AEST
