Operational Reliability Leader

Urban Utilities; Nambour; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging

Novated leases

Corporate discounts

Parental leave

Personal leave

Flexible work

Job summary

Urban Utilities in Australia seeks an Operational Reliability Leader to safeguard our water and wastewater networks and to support public health and regulatory obligations.

You will lead contingency planning, mentor a team, and balance operational, capital and customer outcomes. On-call duties apply to emergency management, with a commitment to safety and reliability across our services.

Qualifications

• An engineering background relevant to water network operations.
• Experience translating technical risk into actionable commercial guidance.
• Strong stakeholder management and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage shifting priorities in a complex operational environment.

Responsibilities

• Identify operational risk and lead contingency, supply disruption and emergency response planning
• Resolve systemic performance issues affecting long-term network health
• Monitor compliance with network performance standards and drinking water quality requirements
• Manage trade-offs across operational, capital, commercial and customer outcomes
• Build your team’s capability through coaching and structured development

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Written communication

Risk translation

Prioritization

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

At Urban Utilities, our purpose is simple yet powerful - Enrich Quality of Life. With a $7 billion asset base and services spanning 1.5 million residents and more than 31,000 commercial customers across South East Queensland, we are committed to enhancing the liveability of our communities every day.

The Operational Reliability Leader is accountable for network reliability that protects public health and safety and meets our regulatory obligations. This role exists to protect the long-term performance of our 9,500km water network and 9.700km wastewater network. Success in this role will be improving trends in asset availability, water quality, non-revenue water sewer containment, backed by strong contingency planning and a team that resolves systemic issues before they recur.

What You'll Deliver

• Identify operational risk and lead contingency, supply disruption and emergency response planning


• Resolve systemic performance issues affecting long-term network health


• Monitor compliance with network performance standards and drinking water quality requirements


• Manage trade-offs across operational, capital, commercial and customer outcomes


• Build your team’s capability through coaching and structured development

About You

• A relevant engineering degree


• Experience or qualifications in hydraulics, production planning or water chemistry (highly regarded, not essential)


• A track record of leading teams and translating technical risk into commercial terms stakeholders can act on


• Strong stakeholder management and written communication skills


• The ability to manage shifting priorities in a complex operational environment

This role carries on-call responsibilities to support our emergency management framework.

At Urban Utilities, we believe our workforce should reflect the community we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences, including First Nations peoples, people with disability, members of the LGBTIQ+ community, veterans, emergency responders and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

You might not meet every single requirement listed. If you are excited about the role and believe you can make a strong contribution, we encourage you to apply. If you require adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know so we can support you.

Applications will close 27 September 2026.

This position is subject to relevant security clearance and if applicable, Security of Critical Infrastructure requirements. Applicants may be required to undergo a Pre-employment medical, which may include Drug and Alcohol testing, as well as other background checks as part of the recruitment process for this role.

For further information please contact our Talent team at [e-mail]

Why Urban Utilities

Urban Utilities delivers essential water and wastewater services to more than 1.5 million people across South East Queensland. Every day, our teams work to support thriving communities and a sustainable future. Generous Salary Packaging options, including novated leases Corporate discounts across Health insurance, technology and more 18 weeks of paid parental leave, 15 days personal leave including two proactive wellbeing days, and an additional day of leave each year to connect with friends and family Flexibility at UU depends on the type of work you do but could include options such as, 9-day fortnights and flexible days. Talk to us about what flexibility means to you! Urban Utilities is an endorsed employer for all women. See our range of benefits and policies directly at WORK180 There's no us without you. Come shape the future with us.

We're constantly challenging the status quo, searching for opportunities, pushing people to their potential, encouraging creativity and diversity, and fostering collaboration within and beyond our teams to be the best we can for our communities.