Water Capital Delivery - Major Maintenance Specialist

Water Capital Delivery - Major Maintenance Specialist

QLD Executive Permanent(Full Time)

Rare, newly created leadership opportunity, driving timely delivery of key capital projects & shifting the department's mindset to getting things done

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• Play a hands-on role in managing significant projects
• Lead critical infrastructure projects and help drive lasting change

Located in the beautiful Darling Downs South-West region of Southern Queensland, the Southern Downs local government area is about 160 kilometres south-west of the Brisbane CBD. With bustling rural centres and quaint townships, the region is built on exceptional agriculture and farming foundations and boasts World Heritage listed national parks and recreation areas. The area is also rapidly becoming a gourmet food and wine destination and has an annual calendar full of exciting cultural and sporting events.

Southern Downs Regional Council is offering a rare leadership opportunity for an experienced water industry professional to step into a newly created role. This position functions as the effective 2IC to the Manager Water, with the opportunity to act in the Manager's role during periods of absence. This is a strategically significant role that will influence the future of water infrastructure delivery across the region and offers a clear pathway to further leadership progression.

This position has been established to strengthen capital works delivery and sharpen the department's focus on proactive planning, execution and outcomes. You'll be tasked with driving timely delivery of key capital projects, shifting the department's mindset towards getting things done, and embedding a more commercial and customer-focused approach. With oversight of two direct reports - the Capital Delivery Principal Engineer and the Construction Supervisor - and a broader team of 58 across the department, your influence will extend across all aspects of operations and delivery.

You will play a hands-on role in managing significant projects, including a $35M upgrade to the Stanthorpe Water Treatment Plant, strategic renewal planning for Warwick and Stanthorpe assets, the Connelly Dam upgrade, and the execution of the Toowoomba to Warwick Pipeline. This position will also be instrumental in addressing existing delivery challenges, such as overcoming delays, improving capital works readiness, and training and mentoring technical staff, particularly with project management.

Your responsibilities will span scoping, procurement, contract and contractor management, capital works planning, and onsite supervision. You'll also support the development of strategic policies and assist with development application processes and emergency response planning. Importantly, you'll need to build strong relationships both internally and externally, liaising with consultants, managing stakeholders, and presenting confidently at Council meetings.

The ideal candidate will bring significant experience in the water and wastewater sector, particularly in project and contract management. Experience in local government is highly valued, but not essential. A degree qualification in a relevant discipline or RPEQ status would be advantageous; however, demonstrated results in delivering water infrastructure projects and operational understanding of the sector are paramount.

This is a role for a resilient, solutions-focused leader who can manage a team with autonomy, has a calm and collaborative style, and knows how to prioritise and escalate issues appropriately. If you're ready to lead critical infrastructure projects, build capability across a high-impact team, and help drive lasting change within a progressive regional council, this is your chance to make a meaningful difference.

To download a comprehensive information pack and to apply, visit mcarthur.com.au and search under ref. J7417. For a confidential discussion, call Rebecca McPhail on (07) 3211 9700.

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