Program Lead Maintenance

Melbourne Water; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Melbourne Water is seeking an experienced Program Lead Maintenance to lead the amenity maintenance program across the Western Suburbs and Western Treatment Plant, delivering safe, reliable, and cost-effective services. You'll mentor teams, manage budgets, drive continuous improvement, and ensure compliance with health, safety, and quality standards, while building inclusive, high‑performing teams.

Location at Western Treatment Plant with an operational vehicle; join a purpose-driven organisation

Qualifications

• Experience leading teams responsible for civil, grass, spray crews and maintenance programs.
• Strong leadership skills to motivate and develop inclusive teams.
• Experience managing multiple priorities, deadlines and outcomes in dynamic operations.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills.
• Experience leading change initiatives and influencing others.
• Strong problem-solving, decision-making and risk management capabilities.
• Commitment to safety, customer service and continuous improvement.
• Experience using Office and asset/maintenance management systems.
• Knowledge of workplace health and safety, environmental and quality management practices.
• Ability to stay calm in emergency or high-pressure situations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of the region’s amenity maintenance program, monitor performance and identify efficiency opportunities.
• Manage a monthly program of work from initiator groups in the Western Suburbs including treatment plant areas.
• Foster a high-performing, safety-focused culture by leading team members, contractors and service providers.
• Ensure maintenance activities are delivered safely, efficiently and in line with requirements.
• Manage program budgets, forecasts and accruals and keep stakeholders informed.
• Champion continuous improvement and best-practice maintenance processes.
• Lead recruitment, onboarding and development activities, supporting performance and career growth.
• Model Melbourne Water’s values and develop diverse, inclusive teams.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental and quality management requirements.

Skills

Team leadership

Civil maintenance

Grass maintenance

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Trade qualification or certificate

Tools

CMMS

Microsoft Office

Job description

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.

Who We Are

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.

About The Role

As Program Lead Maintenance, you will lead, mentor and support a skilled team responsible for the safe, reliable and efficient delivery of Melbourne Water’s amenity program, including grass and civil maintenance activities. You will provide operational leadership to team members, contractors and service providers, ensuring maintenance programs are delivered safely, on time, within budget and to a high standard of quality.

You will drive continuous improvement across service delivery, optimise program performance and implement best-practice maintenance approaches to achieve positive outcomes for our operations, customers and stakeholders.

In this role you will:

• Lead the delivery of the region’s amenity maintenance program, continuously monitoring performance and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, service outcomes and value.
• Manage a monthly program of work from various initiator groups, working in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne including areas such as high conversation areas in the Western Treatment Plant to urban areas for safety and amenity purposes
• Foster a high-performing, safety-focused culture by providing strong leadership to team members, contractors and service providers.
• Ensure maintenance activities are delivered safely, efficiently and in line with customer, regulatory and business requirements.
• Manage program budgets, forecasts and accruals, ensuring customers and stakeholders are informed and expectations are met.
• Champion continuous improvement and best-practice maintenance processes to enhance operational performance and customer outcomes.
• Lead recruitment, onboarding and development activities, while supporting team members through performance planning, career development and capability building.
• Role model Melbourne Water’s values and leadership behaviours by inspiring, empowering and developing diverse and inclusive teams.
• Ensure compliance with Melbourne Water’s health, safety, environmental and quality management requirements, promoting a culture of zero harm.

About You

You are an experienced maintenance or operations leader with a strong background in civil, parks, infrastructure or asset maintenance environments. You are passionate about leading people, delivering operational excellence and building strong relationships with stakeholders.

You will bring:

• Proven experience leading teams responsible for civil, grass, spray crews and maintenance programs.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to motivate, develop and support high-performing and inclusive teams.
• Demonstrated success managing multiple priorities, meeting deadlines and delivering outcomes in dynamic operational environments.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, communication and relationship-building skills.
• Experience leading and implementing change initiatives, with the ability to influence and engage others.
• Strong problem-solving, decision-making and risk management capabilities.
• A commitment to safety, customer service and continuous improvement.
• Experience using Microsoft Office and asset management or maintenance management systems.
• Sound knowledge of workplace health and safety, environmental and quality management practices.
• The ability to remain calm and effective in emergency or high-pressure situations.

You'll also bring:

• Trade qualification, relevant certificate or extensive on the ground maintenance/operational leadership experience.
• Relevant plant operation licences and certifications.
• Construction Induction (White) Card.
• Current Victorian Driver Licence.
• Ability to complete a medical assessment and criminal records check.

Location: Western Treatment Plant. This role includes an operational vehicle in line with Melbourne Water policy.

For more information, please review the attached position description:Program Lead Maintenance (WTP)

Why Join Us

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.