Utilities Engineering Planning & Assets Manager

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

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Gym membership via Fitness Passport

Welcome Experience for relocations

Annual salary review

Salary packaging options

Job summary

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council is seeking a Utilities Engineering Planning & Assets Manager to lead the Engineering Planning & Assets Section and guide the lifecycle management of utility assets for water, wastewater and waste services.

You will oversee strategic planning, asset modelling and financial sustainability to support growth, with a focus on evidence-based investment decisions and cross-functional leadership across the organisation.

Qualifications

• Degree in Civil Engineering or another relevant engineering discipline acceptable for membership with Engineers Australia, or a recognised degree with relevant experience.
• Significant experience in utilities or related infrastructure environments.
• Strong asset management, long-term infrastructure planning and strategic planning experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Engineering Planning & Assets Section, providing strategic direction and leadership to a technical team.
• Develop and review asset management plans, renewal/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.
• Lead strategic financial, resource and budget planning for long-term utility investment.
• Use engineering information and asset data to support evidence-based planning and investment decisions.
• Provide expert technical and strategic advice on utility infrastructure planning and asset management.
• Lead, coach and develop staff to foster a high-performing team.
• Drive continuous improvement and modern asset management practices across the section.
• Build strong relationships with internal/external stakeholders and community.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Strategic planning

Communication

Safety culture

Education

Civil Engineering degree or equivalent

Job description

Utilities Engineering Planning & Assets Manager

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

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

On a typical day this role will:

• Leadand manage the Engineering Planning & Assets Section, providingstrategic direction, resource planning and leadership to a team oftechnical professionals.
• Leadthe development and review of asset management plans, renewal andrehabilitation programs and long-term infrastructure strategies acrosswater, wastewater and waste.
• Overseeinfrastructure planning, hydraulic modelling and asset lifecyclemanagement to support sustainable service delivery and future growth.
• Leadstrategic financial, resource and budget planning to support long-terminvestment in utility infrastructure.
• Useengineering information and asset data to support evidence-based planning,prioritisation and investment decisions.
• Provideexpert technical and strategic advice across the organisation on utilityinfrastructure planning and asset management.
• Lead,coach and develop staff to foster a collaborative, capable andhigh-performing team.
• Drivecontinuous improvement and contemporary asset management practices acrossthe Section.
• Buildstrong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, industrypartners and the community to support strategic and service deliveryoutcomes.

To be successful in the role you will have:

• ADegree in Civil Engineering or another relevant engineering disciplineacceptable for membership with Engineers Australia, or a recognised degreein another discipline with relevant experience.
• Significantrecent experience within the utilities industry or a closely relatedinfrastructure environment.
• Strongexperience in asset management, long-term infrastructure planning andstrategic planning relevant to water, wastewater, waste or comparableinfrastructure.
• Demonstratedleadership experience with the ability to lead, coach and developprofessional teams and influence positive outcomes.
• Provenexperience managing budgets, resources, team performance and operationalpriorities.
• Strongstrategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to balancelong-term infrastructure requirements with financial and service deliverypriorities.
• Advancedwritten and verbal communication, report writing, stakeholder engagementand negotiation skills.
• Asound understanding of WHS requirements and experience fostering apositive safety culture.
• Acurrent Class C Driver Licence.

Remuneration and Benefits

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

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

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

• Flexiblework arrangements - hybrid working and flexi-time
• Discountedgym membership through membership to Fitness Passport
• Candidatesrelocating to the region have access to The Welcome Experience
• Annualsalary increase as per the Local Government (State) Award 2026 plus annualsalary review
• Longservice leave after 5 years
• Generousemployee assistance program
• Salarypackaging options available through Salary Packaging Australia and Maxxia
• Recognitionthrough our annual awards ceremony celebrating and rewarding staffachievements

Questions?

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

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.

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