Senior Planner - Climate Change Adaptation

Sydney Water; Parramatta; Hybrid; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid Work Environment

Continuous Professional Growth

24/7 Wellbeing Support

Discounted Private Health Insurance

Family First: Parental leave & support

Fitness Passport

Novated Leasing

Competitive Remuneration

Job summary

Sydney Water is seeking a Senior Planner – Climate Change Adaptation to lead the development and implementation of climate risk and opportunity assessments across water and wastewater planning. You will embed resilience into long-term investments and build tools to support decision-making.

You will work with Strategy & Sustainability, Finance, IP-IMO and Planning to deliver the S-CCROA framework and related governance, shaping climate adaptation across the business.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Engineering, Infrastructure Management, Planning, Science, or a related discipline.
• Strategic thinker with proven experience in planning, influencing, negotiation, and facilitation.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with experience in preparing advice for senior management and the Executive/Board.
• Demonstrated experience in climate change adaptation, climate risk assessment, resilience planning, infrastructure planning or asset management.
• Strong understanding of vulnerability assessment, climate risk, and adaptation planning principles.
• Experience developing frameworks, methodologies, guidance materials or decision-support tools.
• Proven ability to lead and manage complex projects and influence outcomes across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and strategic thinking skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, including workshop facilitation, stakeholder presentations and preparation of executive-level advice.
• Ability to translate complex technical information into practical business outcomes and planning decisions.
• Relevant tertiary qualification in Engineering, Environmental Science, Climate Science, Planning, Sustainability or a related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Co-lead Sydney Water's System Climate Change Risk and Opportunity Assessment (S-CCROA) Framework development and implementation.
• Shape how climate risks and opportunities are identified, assessed and managed across Sydney Water's water and wastewater systems.
• Develop climate planning methodologies, tools, guidance and supporting governance arrangements.
• Work collaboratively with planners, engineers, operational teams and sustainability specialists to embed climate resilience into long-term planning.
• Deliver climate adaptation training, workshops and capability uplift initiatives across the business.
• Influence strategic investment and planning decisions by providing expert advice on climate risks, opportunities and adaptation responses.
• Drive continuous improvement of climate risk management practices through piloting, stakeholder engagement and incorporation of industry leading practice.]

Skills

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Leadership

Analytical mindset

Project management

Climate risk awareness

Education

Engineering or related discipline

Environmental/Climate background

Job description

Senior Planner - Climate Change Adaptation

• Impactful Projects: Co-lead the development and implementation of Sydney Water's System Climate Change Risk and Opportunity Assessment (S-CCROA) Framework and help embed climate resilience into long-term planning and investment decision-making.
• Work-Life Balance: Enjoy flexibility, including the option of up to 2 days working from home.
• Have a real impact on projects that impact the local community

About the Role

We are on the lookout for a Senior Planner – Climate Change Adaptation to help shape Sydney Water's response to climate change and build resilience across our water and wastewater services.

Working collaboratively with teams across Strategy & Sustainability, Finance, IP-IMO and Planning, you will provide specialist climate adaptation expertise, develop practical tools and methodologies, and support the delivery of Sydney Water's Climate Risk Management Program and broader resilience objectives.

This role will play a pivotal role in establishing and implementing Sydney Water's System Climate Change Risk and Opportunity Assessment (S-CCROA) Framework, supporting the integration of climate risk and opportunity assessment into system planning, asset planning and investment decision-making.

Join us in shaping Sydney Water's climate resilience future by leading climate risk and opportunity assessments, provide climate change subject matter expertise in Sydney Water system and asset planning projects, including project-based climate change risk assessments.

Responsibilities

• Co-lead Sydney Water's System Climate Change Risk and Opportunity Assessment (S-CCROA) Framework development and implementation.
• Shape how climate risks and opportunities are identified, assessed and managed across Sydney Water's water and wastewater systems.
• Develop climate planning methodologies, tools, guidance and supporting governance arrangements.
• Work collaboratively with planners, engineers, operational teams and sustainability specialists to embed climate resilience into long-term planning.
• Deliver climate adaptation training, workshops and capability uplift initiatives across the business.
• Influence strategic investment and planning decisions by providing expert advice on climate risks, opportunities and adaptation responses.
• Drive continuous improvement of climate risk management practices through piloting, stakeholder engagement and incorporation of industry leading practice.

Experience And Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Engineering, Infrastructure Management, Planning, Science, or a related discipline.
• Strategic thinker with proven experience in planning, influencing, negotiation, and facilitation.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with experience in preparing advice for senior management and the Executive/Board.
• Demonstrated experience in climate change adaptation, climate risk assessment, resilience planning, infrastructure planning or asset management.
• Strong understanding of vulnerability assessment, climate risk, and adaptation planning principles.
• Experience developing frameworks, methodologies, guidance materials or decision-support tools.
• Proven ability to lead and manage complex projects and influence outcomes across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and strategic thinking skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, including workshop facilitation, stakeholder presentations and preparation of executive-level advice.
• Ability to translate complex technical information into practical business outcomes and planning decisions.
• Relevant tertiary qualification in Engineering, Environmental Science, Climate Science, Planning, Sustainability or a related discipline.

Applications close Sunday 22nd November at 11.59 AEST

We support you throughout the application process and can provide adjustments where required. For more information, please contact Marc Evans, Talent Acquisition Partner at ***********@sydneywater.com.au

• Competitive Remuneration: We'll ensure your skills and contributions are recognised and rewarded.
• Hybrid Work Environment: A flexible balance of office collaboration and remote working.
• Continuous Professional Growth: Access to leadership and development programs to support your career.
• 24/7 Wellbeing Support: Free and confidential wellbeing services for you and your family through our Employee Assistance Program.
• Discounted Private Health Insurance: Access affordable health cover options.
• Family First: Up to 18 weeks paid parental leave and childcare support benefits.
• Fitness Passport: Access to a wide network of gyms and aquatic centres across NSW.
• Novated Leasing: Flexible vehicle financing options to support your lifestyle.

As part of the application process, Sydney Water will be collecting your personal information to assess your suitability for the role. Your personal information may also be used to establish a Dayforce talent profile. Your personal information will be collected in accordance with Dayforce’s Terms and Privacy Policy and Sydney Water’sPrivacy Collection Statement – recruitment. Please note as part of the application process, you will be asked to undergo background checks which include a criminal history check.