Utilities Engineering Planning & Assets Manager

Careers at Council; Port Macquarie; Hybrid; AUD 135,000 - 151,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Fitness Passport gym membership

Welcome Experience relocation access

Annual salary increase per Award

Long service leave

Employee assistance program

Salary packaging options

Annual awards

Job summary

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council is seeking a Utilities Engineering Planning and Assets Manager to lead the Engineering Planning & Assets Section, guiding strategic planning and lifecycle management of water, wastewater and waste infrastructure.

The role requires significant leadership, advanced asset management expertise, and the ability to balance long-term requirements with financial sustainability. Hybrid work arrangements, salary packaging and generous benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• Degree in Civil Engineering or related discipline acceptable for Engineers Australia
• Significant recent experience in utilities or infrastructure environment
• Strong experience in asset management, long-term infrastructure planning and strategic planning
• Demonstrated leadership experience with ability to lead and develop teams
• Proven experience managing budgets, resources, team performance and priorities
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, balancing long-term needs with financial and service delivery
• Excellent written and verbal communication, report writing, stakeholder engagement and negotiation
• Sound understanding of WHS requirements and safety culture
• Current Class C Driver Licence

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Engineering Planning & Assets Section with strategic direction
• Develop and review asset management plans, renewal and rehabilitation programs and long-term strategies across water, wastewater and waste
• Oversee infrastructure planning, hydraulic modelling and asset lifecycle management
• Lead strategic financial, resource and budget planning for long-term investments
• Use engineering data to support evidence-based planning and decisions
• Provide expert technical and strategic advice on utility infrastructure planning and asset management
• Lead and develop staff to foster a high-performing team
• Drive continuous improvement and asset management practices across the section
• Build relationships with stakeholders, industry partners and the community

Job description

Utilities Engineering Planning & Assets Manager

At Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, our Community Utilities
team plays a critical role in planning and managing the infrastructure that
supports essential water, wastewater and waste services across our region. As
our community continues to grow, effective long-term infrastructure planning
and contemporary asset management are essential to ensuring these services
remain sustainable, reliable and responsive to future needs.

We are looking for a Utilities Engineering Planning and
Assets Manager to lead Council's Engineering Planning & Assets Section.
This leadership role will oversee the strategic planning and lifecycle
management of our utility assets, bringing together engineering information,
asset management, infrastructure planning and financial sustainability to guide
investment and support the future growth of our region.

On a typical day this role will:

• Lead
  and manage the Engineering Planning & Assets Section, providing
  strategic direction, resource planning and leadership to a team of
  technical professionals.
• Lead
  the development and review of asset management plans, renewal and rehabilitation programs and long-term infrastructure strategies across water, wastewater and waste.
• Oversee
  infrastructure planning, hydraulic modelling and asset lifecycle management to support sustainable service delivery and future growth.
• Lead
  strategic financial, resource and budget planning to support long-term investment in utility infrastructure.
• Use
  engineering information and asset data to support evidence-based planning,
  prioritisation and investment decisions.
• Provide
  expert technical and strategic advice across the organisation on utility infrastructure planning and asset management.
• Lead,
  coach and develop staff to foster a collaborative, capable and high-performing team.
• Drive
  continuous improvement and contemporary asset management practices across the Section.
• Build
  strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, industry partners and the community to support strategic and service delivery outcomes.

To be successful in the role you will have:

• A
  Degree in Civil Engineering or another relevant engineering discipline acceptable for membership with Engineers Australia, or a recognised degree in another discipline with relevant experience.
• Significant
  recent experience within the utilities industry or a closely related infrastructure environment.
• Strong
  experience in asset management, long-term infrastructure planning and strategic planning relevant to water, wastewater, waste or comparable infrastructure.
• Demonstrated
  leadership experience with the ability to lead, coach and develop professional teams and influence positive outcomes.
• Proven
  experience managing budgets, resources, team performance and operational priorities.
• Strong
  strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to balance long-term infrastructure requirements with financial and service delivery priorities.
• Advanced
  written and verbal communication, report writing, stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills.
• A
  sound understanding of WHS requirements and experience fostering a positive safety culture.
• A
  current Class C Driver Licence.

Remuneration and Benefits

Salary: Starting from $134,858.70 to $150,948.83 per year
depending on skills and experience plus 12% super

Allowances: Civil Liabilities Allowance of 3.5% of your rate of pay.

Motor vehicle: This role qualifies for either a Council leaseback vehicle ($91.64–$152.12 weekly deduction, depending on vehicle type) or a vehicle allowance of $10,780 per annum.

• Flexible
  work arrangements - hybrid working and flexi-time
• Discounted
  gym membership through membership to Fitness Passport
• Candidates
  relocating to the region have access to The Welcome Experience
• Annual
  salary increase as per the Local Government (State) Award 2026 plus annual salary review
• Long
  service leave after 5 years
• Generous
  employee assistance program
• Salary
  packaging options available through Salary Packaging Australia and Maxxia
• Recognition
  through our annual awards ceremony celebrating and rewarding staff achievements

Questions?

If you would like to know more about this opportunity or
have any questions about the role please contact Cameron Hawkins, Group Manager Utilities Planning and Design on 6581 8034.

Applications Close: Sunday 04 October 2026 at 11:30pm

At Port Macquarie-Hastings Council

we believe that diversity makes us stronger. We are committed to creating a workplace that reflects the vibrant community we serve—where everyone feels welcome, respected, and empowered to thrive.

We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, veterans, people with disabilities, culturally and linguistically diverse individuals, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process or in the workplace, please contact us at ****@pmhc.nsw.gov.au.We’re here to support you every step of the way.

Notes

Suitable candidates may be placed on an eligibility list for future identical positions for 6 months or a talent pool for similar positions for a period of 12 months.

Preferred applicants are required to complete
pre-employment checks. This may include: Reference Checks; National Criminal Police Check; Medical Assessment (includes drug and alcohol testing); Qualification verification; Working with Children Check verification.

Port Macquarie Hastings Council adheres to the principles of a child safe organisation and is committed to the care and protection of all children and young people.