Do you want your work to make a difference for NSW? Working to protect and manage the state’s water resources.

- Contribute to meaningful water management planning statutory requirements and initiatives that support communities, industry, and the environment across NSW.
- Two ongoing (permanent) full-time (35 hours per week) opportunities.
- Office location negotiable across NSW (regional location encouraged) and hybrid working supported.
- Salary relative to experience, ranging from $154,231 to $178,369 + super.
- Flexible working conditions.

Are you an experienced water resource management qualified ready to manage and lead a small team to develop Statutory water plans that promote sustainable water management for the environment, communities and industry across New South Wales?

The NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water – Water Group is seeking two highly capable Managers, Water Planning professionals to join our Coastal and Groundwater Planning Team within the Water Knowledge and Planning Branch. These roles will lead the development and implementation of complex statutory water planning initiatives across surface water and groundwater systems.

About the role

As Manager, Water Planning, you will manage and lead a small team of water planning specialists to develop and deliver water management plans and water resource planning initiatives that meet State and Commonwealth legislative requirements.

You will:

- Lead complex water planning projects from development through to implementation.




- Provide expert technical and strategic advice on water planning and management.
- Guide sustainability, ecological, socio-economic and technical assessments.
- Build and maintain productive relationships with government, industry, community and Aboriginal stakeholders.
- Represent the department on inter-agency and regional committees.
- Develop the capability, performance and engagement of a high-performing team.

About you

We are looking for a strategic and collaborative leader with:

- Significant experience in water planning, natural resource management, environmental science or a related discipline.
- Demonstrated success leading complex water policy, planning or management initiatives across multiple stakeholders and jurisdictions.
- Strong project leadership skills, with the ability to deliver quality outcomes in complex and sensitive environments.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement, negotiation and influencing capabilities.
- Experience and success in leading and developing professional teams.

Essential requirements

- Tertiary qualifications in hydrology, integrated water management, water planning, natural resource management, environmental science or equivalent experience.
- Current NSW Driver Licence.
- Ability to undertake overnight travel as required.

For more information read the full Role Description: Manager Water Planning.

Should you require further information about the role please contact Anna Bailey via

Applications close Friday 31 July 2026 at 11:55PM.

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📌 Manager Water Planning, Coastal & Groundwater (City of Sydney)
🏢 Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
📍 City of Sydney