Program Director

at; South Australia; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A government-owned water utility is seeking a Program Director to lead the Metro Growth Program, managing a significant capital works infrastructure initiative. The candidate should have experience with large-scale projects in regulated environments and possess excellent leadership and communication skills. This full-time role involves overseeing a program delivery spend of up to $1.192 billion, ensuring compliance with government commitments while fostering a collaborative team culture.

Qualifications

• Experience in leading large, complex programs in heavy industry or major infrastructure.
• Understanding of South Australian water sector and relevant regulatory requirements.
• Highly developed strategic and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and delivery of the Metro Growth Program.
• Manage program delivery spend up to $1.192 billion.
• Ensure proactive risk management and issue escalation.

Skills

Project management

Risk management

Leadership

Collaboration

Communication

Education

Relevant project management or engineering qualifications

Job description

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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

This is a career opportunity to lead the design, construction and delivery of the Metro Growth Program, a major capital works water and wastewater infrastructure program aligned to South Australian Government commitments outlined in the 2024 Housing Roadmap. This State significant program maintains a significant public and Government profile, requiring both technical skill and professional acumen. The Program Director holds end-to-end accountability for the planning, and delivery of this complex, multi-year program, from early project planning and procurement through to construction, commissioning and transition to operational assets.

This role is responsible for ensuring delivery in line with approved scope, schedule and budget, managing a program delivery spend of up to $1.192 billion. This position will ensure the program works to maintain strong program controls, and risk management frameworks, managing interdependencies across multiple projects. The role will ensure proactive identification and escalation of risk and issues to safeguard program achieving Government commitments.

This is a full-time, ongoing opportunity available to candidates who can obtain a Baseline Security Clearance and who are seeking employment as an SA Water employee, as contractor arrangements are not being considered.

About the Person

This role will suit an experienced Program Director who has led large, complex programs in heavy industry or major infrastructure environments and understands the realities of delivering at scale in high-risk, highly regulated and visible setting. The role will suit a collaborative contribution style, that can listen to and share information with colleagues across cross-functional teams to achieve the overall program's goals and collective success.

What sets the right person apart is the ability to balance strong program discipline with an open and collaborative approach across SA Water, and its partners. Experience in project management, risk and controls provides the foundation, while good judgement, professional acumen and a partnering mentality guide when to delegate, when to step in and when to escalat(e?) matters for input or support.

As a natural people leader, the successful candidate has built and led high-performing positive team cultures, leading through complexity and change. A supportive and inclusive culture built on trust and support will enable our people to achieve their best work.

Leadership style matters in this role. We are looking for an open strong team player who prioritises collective success, who is open to feedback and able to set aside their own ideas in favour of the best solution for the program.

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:

• Lead and coach team members to ensure a supportive inclusive environment, delivering high quality task outcomes, and ongoing professional growth.
• Responsible for the effective balance of time, cost and quality across the Metro Growth program, with a view to achieving Government milestones to a maximum $1.192B delivery spend.
• Establish and ensure an integrated program master schedule, supported by master district schedules to identify interdependencies, critical path and key project and program activities.
• Responsible for ensuring Senior and General Managers, and Managers are up to date with program progress, and challenges and opportunities are elevated in a timely manner.
• Influence, lead and negotiate with internal resources including Systems Planning and Infrastructure Planning & Strategy, Engineering, Operations and Commissioning, Commercial and Supply teams to undertake project work as and when required in line with Program needs.
• Identify, plan, and mitigate risks to Program delivery across all aspects of project management including but not limited to schedule, cost, procurement, contract, contractor performance and works planning, during design, contracting, construction, commissioning and handover phase.

Your success in this role will come from:

• Hold relevant project management, engineering or related qualifications and/or industry knowledge, and understanding of relevant technical, regulatory and policy requirements.
• An understanding of the South Australian water sector, design and delivery processes and strategic planning processes.
• Highly developed strategic and analytical skills and demonstrated capacity to successfully manage assessment and resolution of complex issues across multiple teams and stakeholders.
• Ability to lead and support a positive, collaborative and inclusive team and cross‑team work culture, with strong inter‑personal skills.
• Ability to prioritise and elevate Program and organisational technical and strategic risks within the business.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and an ability to clearly articulate messages to a variety of audiences, including:
  • Preparation of high‑quality reports, presentations and responses on complex issues.
  • Proven ability to engage with senior leaders to deliver successful outcomes.

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 – [e-mail] .

Applications close 11:55pm, 18 January 2026.

Please note: We request that recruitment agencies do not submit candidates for this position, as they will not be accepted.

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.

We provide water and wastewater services to over 1.5 million South Australians. We're on Twitter M-F, 9-5. Customer Service Centre available 24/7, 1300 650 950.