Water, Environment and Society Market Leader SA

ABOUT MOTT MACDONALD

Mott MacDonald is one of the world's largest employee‑owned engineering, management and development consultancies, delivering complex programmes across water, environment, transport and social infrastructure in more than 150 countries. In Australia, Mott MacDonald brings genuine global depth to local markets, combining technical excellence with the scale and reach of an international network.

In South Australia, water, environment and society represents one of the firm's most significant growth opportunities. SA's water and environment sector is increasingly active, driven by investment in water security, climate adaptation, urban development and the state's broader infrastructure agenda. Mott MacDonald is positioning itself to be a leading voice in that market.

THE PROSPECT

This is one of the most senior and consequential roles in Mott MacDonald’s SA operation. The Water, Environment & Society (“WES”) Market Leader will own the strategic direction, commercial performance and people leadership of the WES practice in South Australia, with direct accountability for revenue, client relationships, team capability and market positioning.

This is not a delivery‑only role, nor is it purely a business development appointment. It requires someone who can operate across both dimensions with equal confidence: someone who is as comfortable presenting a compelling proposal to a government client as they are mentoring a senior engineer, reviewing a P&L; or contributing to Mott MacDonald’s national strategy.

The right person will bring genuine energy and ambition to a market that is ready to be led and the credibility, relationships and vision to make Mott MacDonald the first call for SA's water, environment and society clients.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING

Vision & Strategic Leadership

- Set and lead the strategic direction for Mott MacDonald’s Water, Environment & Society practice in South Australia, translating national strategy into clear, actionable goals with measurable outcomes
- Energise and inspire the team (c.20) in a competitive market, providing clarity of purpose and a compelling vision that attracts, retains and motivates great people
- Contribute actively at a national leadership level, providing SA market insight and influencing business priorities and strategies across the Australian WES practice

Market & Client Engagement

- Build and maintain a strong, visible presence across SA's water, environment and society markets with government agencies,



water authorities, regulators, contractors and industry partners
- Stay ahead of market trends, policy shifts, funding cycles and competitive dynamics to anticipate opportunity and position the business accordingly
- Represent Mott MacDonald externally as a trusted advisor and thought leader, the kind of person clients want in the room when the important conversations are happening

Winning Work

- Lead the identification and selection of bids, providing strategic and commercial direction in proposal development to win work that is right for the business and the client
- Build and convert a strong pipeline of opportunities across water, environment and society, including panel positions, major projects and strategic partnerships
- Apply commercial rigour to bid strategy, understanding margin, risk and the difference between work worth winning and work worth walking away from

People & Team Leadership

- Lead a diverse, senior team with direct responsibility for coaching, mentoring and developing a cohort of experienced professionals
- Build succession depth, identify emerging leaders and drive capability uplift across the SA WES practice
- Create a positive, high‑performance culture that values accountability, collaboration and genuine passion for outcomes and where people are proud to do their best work

Business & Operational Management

- Hold direct P&L; accountability for the SA WES practice, driving revenue growth, managing margins and overseeing resource allocation to sustain long‑term business health
- Oversee operational performance across the portfolio, ensuring delivery excellence, client satisfaction and continuous improvement
- Develop and implement business plans aligned to national objectives, tailored to the specific challenges and opportunities of the South Australian market

Service Delivery

- Draw on deep sector expertise to lead the delivery of high‑quality professional services, maintaining Mott MacDonald’s reputation for technical excellence and client focus
- Ensure outputs meet professional standards, quality frameworks and safety requirements,



with appropriate governance and risk management across all projects

ABOUT YOU

You are a recognised leader in SA's water, environment and/or society sectors. Someone with the technical depth to be credible with clients and the commercial and people leadership skills to run a growing practice. You understand how government and water authority clients in SA procure services, make decisions and build trusted relationships with their consulting partners.

You’ll bring:

- Significant experience in the water, workplace or society sectors in South Australia, with a profile and established network and technical track record across government agencies, water authorities and industry
- A proven track record of winning work, leading bids, building pipelines and converting relationships into contracted engagements
- Demonstrated P&L; accountability in a consulting or professional services environment, with the commercial acumen to manage a practice for growth and profitability
- Strong people leadership experience, coaching and developing senior professionals, building team culture and managing performance with clarity and care
- The presence and credibility to represent Mott MacDonald at the highest levels of government and industry, and to influence national strategy from a position of SA market authority
- A genuinely strategic mindset balanced with operational discipline and able to set direction and then ensure it’s executed
- Relevant tertiary qualifications in engineering, environmental science or a related discipline; chartership (CPEng or equivalent) highly regarded

WHY MOTT MACDONALD

With 2025 revenues of close to A$5bn (2025) and 100% employee‑owned: every person in the business has a genuine stake in Mott MacDonald success. The culture reflects that: collaborative, intellectually curious and driven by the quality of outcomes rather than the volume of activity.

This role comes with significant autonomy, a dedicated individual development budget and direct access to Mott MacDonald’s global network of technical and commercial expertise. For the right leader, it’s an opportunity to build something meaningful in a market that is growing with the backing of a world‑class organisation and the freedom to lead it your way.

HOW TO APPLY

This search is being managed by EGM Partners on behalf of Mott MacDonald. For a confidential discussion or to apply, please contact Emily Palmer on 04•• ••• 432 or Yasmine Johnson on 04•• ••• 100 .

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📌 Water, Environment and Society Market Leader SA (Adelaide)
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📍 Adelaide