Senior Manager People Operations

Lead People. Shape Change. Create Impact.

SA Water is evolving, and we're looking for an exceptional Senior Manager People Operations to help lead the next chapter of our people journey.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a critical function at a time of significant transformation, influencing how we attract, support, develop and retain the people who deliver essential water and sewer services to South Australians every day.

Leading our People Central, People Partnering, Payroll and Talent Acquisition teams, you'll be at the heart of the business, partnering with executives and leaders to deliver exceptional people experiences and outcomes across a diverse, complex and evolving workforce.

You'll be equally comfortable in the boardroom and on the ground, providing strategic advice, leading change initiatives, navigating complex employee and industrial relations matters, and ensuring our people operations continue. While you'll operate as a trusted adviser to executives, this is also a hands-on leadership role to deliver excellence. You'll enjoy being close to the business, supporting leaders through challenges, driving key projects, and partnering with your team to deliver practical people solutions. Most importantly, you'll lead an established team and create an environment where people can thrive, grow and do their best work.

Success in this role requires a leader who embodies SA Water's leadership capabilities of Courage, Connection and Commitment. Someone who can confidently lead through change, build trusted relationships across all levels of the organisation, and stay focused on delivering outcomes that matter.

This is a full-time, three-year max-term opportunity.

What You'll Bring

• Extensive generalist HR leadership experience across the full employee lifecycle, from attraction and acquisition through to development, retention and separation.
• Strong Employee Relations and Industrial Relations expertise.
• Sound knowledge of employment legislation and contemporary people practices.
• Proven success leading transformation, organisational change and people initiatives.
• The ability to influence, challenge and support executive leaders.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and maintaining high-performance cultures.
• A pragmatic, solutions-focused approach and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Experience supporting both white-collar and blue-collar workforces will be highly regarded.

Why SA Water?

This is more than a people leadership role. It's an opportunity to shape strategy, influence culture, lead meaningful change and leave a lasting impact on an organisation that serves communities across South Australia.

You'll join a team that values fresh thinking, collaboration and continuous improvement, where you'll have the autonomy to make decisions, the support to succeed, and the opportunity to lead work that genuinely matters.

How to Apply

To apply, click 'Apply'. Please submit and complete the application form, upload a cover letter and current resume. For enquiries, please contact Heidi Neale from the Talent Acquisition team on Heidi.neale@sawater.com.au or 04•• ••• 292.

Applications close 11:55pm, 25 August 2026.

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

If you're a courageous leader, a trusted partner, and someone who thrives on connection, challenge and achievement, we'd love to hear from you