Policy Manager - 9 month contract

Who we are

In Melbourne, water is essential to our way of life.

As caretakers for Melbourne’s water cycle, and our catchments. 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.

About the Role

Are you passionate about shaping public policy and influencing outcomes that support Melbourne's water future?

We are looking for an experienced External Policy professional to help drive Melbourne Water's external policy agenda and support the organisation's engagement with government, regulators and key industry stakeholders.

Working closely with the Manager External Policy, you will identify emerging policy issues, develop evidence-based policy positions, coordinate organisational responses to government reforms, and provide strategic advice on matters impacting Melbourne Water, our customers and the environment.

This is an exciting opportunity to work across a diverse range of issues including water policy, climate resilience, liveability, environmental outcomes and infrastructure planning, while building strong relationships internally and the broader water sector. In this role you will:

• Develop and implement policy positions for Melbourne Water, including managing Melbourne Water's position on policy and legislative change at state and national level
• Lead cross-organisational engagement to identify key risks required to address and shape policy and legislative review processes
• Identify key government policy reform opportunities (impediments and enabling policy) that would result in significant benefit to our customers and community
• Developing submissions, position papers and business cases to advocate or respond to potential government policy changes
• Provide advice to Board, Leadership Team and Senior Management on Melbourne Water’s strategic position on key policy reforms with supporting evidence
• Design and deliver influencing strategies that advance Melbourne Water's policy objectives through engagement with government, regulators, industry bodies and key external stakeholders.

For more information, please refer to the attached Role Mandate

This 9-month opportunity would suit an experienced policy, strategy, regulatory or advocacy leader who enjoys navigating complex environments, building trusted relationships, and driving meaningful change.

About you:

This role would suit a strategic and politically astute policy professional who enjoys influencing complex outcomes and shaping public policy that delivers long-term benefits for customers, communities and the environment.

• Tertiary degree in Public Policy, Political or Social Science, Law or Economics.
• Experience in policy, government relations, regulatory affairs, strategy or advocacy roles.
• Experience within the water, infrastructure, environmental, utilities or public sectors would be highly regarded.
• Able to thrive in complex and ambiguous environments and can confidently provide advice on challenging policy issues.
• Has a strong interest in government, public policy, regulation and industry reform.
• Ability to influence outcomes without direct authority and can bring diverse stakeholders together around a common position.
• Government relations and stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to build credibility and trusted relationships with senior leaders, regulators, government representatives and industry bodies.
• Experience advising Executive Leadership Teams, Boards or senior decision-makers.
• Strong understanding of government decision-making processes and policy development frameworks.
• strategically while also being highly practical and delivery focused.
• Excellent communication skills and can translate complex policy issues into clear, compelling advice for executives and decision-makers.

Join a purpose-driven organisation where your work will help shape policies that protect and enhance Melbourne's way of life for generations to come.

Why join us:

At Melbourne Water, we care deeply about water and the life it sustains. 

Our team is inspired by passion and purpose, with an unwavering commitment to safety. We are on a mission to protect every Melburnian’s way of life, one drop at a time.

We don’t just talk about flexible working - we live it. Our culture of purpose, safety, results, and learning flows through 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 enthusiastic about public resources, community, and the environment, we'd love to receive your application and learn if you could be a great fit. 

How to Apply

Click the 'Apply Now' button below and complete our online application form.

Closing date: Tuesday  1^st September @ 11:55am AEST