About us:
Unitywater operates in one of Australia’s most exceptional environments in terms of natural beauty, geographical and demographic breadth. We operate on Kabi Kabi, Jinibara and Turrbal Country, proudly providing safe and reliable water to customers in Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast and Noosa. We are a water utility serving one of the fastest growing regions in the country.

We think a pretty good job starts here.

About the role:
As the Area Manager Mechanical & Electrical (M&E), you will play a pivotal role in driving operational excellence, safety, and innovation across Unitywater’s M&E services.

In this role, you’ll lead and mentor a skilled team of frontline leaders and subject matter experts, championing a culture of safety, efficiency, and continuous improvement. You will oversee mechanical and electrical operations, optimise budgets, improve productivity, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards, all while fostering strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

This is an opportunity to make a real difference in the community, shaping how critical water and wastewater infrastructure is maintained and delivered. If you thrive on leadership, strategic thinking, and operational problem-solving, this role offers the chance to leave a lasting impact while guiding and inspiring a high-performing team.

Above all, this role requires a resilient and adaptable leader who drives continuous improvement, builds strong stakeholder relationships, manages competing priorities effectively, and contributes to the safe and reliable delivery of essential services for the Sunshine Coast community.

About you:
Our One Unitywater behaviours - Create the Future, Care Together, and Own It – define how we work together at Unitywater. To contribute to this, you will demonstrate the following skills and qualities for the role:

You are a strategic and hands-on leader with proven experience managing mechanical and electrical operations or a similar field-based workforce. The key capabilities and attributes we are looking for include:

Mandatory requirements:

• Tertiary qualifications relevant to the role or equivalent industry experience.
• Previous experience leading and managing mechanical and electrical operations and/or field-based teams.
• Ability to clearly present complex information in written and oral form.
• Ability to build and maintain long-term relationships with executives, stakeholders, peers, and subordinates.
• Thorough understanding of industrial workplace health and safety compliance and regulatory requirements.
• C Class Driver’s License

Highly desirable attributes

• Experience using Maximo.
• Advanced Excel skills.
• Demonstrated commercial acumen and budget management experience.
• Experience managing emergency response situations.
• In-depth understanding of sewerage treatment plants, pump stations, and maintenance activities.
• Proven ability to oversee and influence a unionised field workforce to optimise safety and productivity.
• Experience in contract management.
• Strong analytical ability – delves into data and forms evidence-based opinions.
• Solid communicator, comfortable working in a digital environment.

Working at Unitywater:
As a Unitywater team member you will enjoy a range of benefits: 

• Flexibility: We value flexibility and support work-life balance with hybrid and flexible working, purchased annual leave and access to floating public holidays. Tell us what this looks like for you!
• Wellbeing: We offer several initiatives to support your wellbeing, such as discounted private health insurance, salary packaging, employee assistance program, and access to retailer discounts and benefits.
• Learning and Development: We offer a range of opportunities to feed your curiosity such as: Walk on Country experience, study assistance, and access to a dedicated learning program and professional memberships.
• Extras: We invite you to join our dedicated employee networks focused on First Nations Reconciliation, LGBTIQ+, CALD, Gender, Life Stage diversity, and Accessibility.  

We celebrate, value and include people of all backgrounds, gender and expressions, sexualities, cultures, bodies and abilities. We are committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community we serve and fostering a workplace that is diverse and inclusive, where you feel connected, are safe to be yourself and supported to be the best version of yourself. 

We strive to have a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community we serve and encourage all suitable applicants to apply for this role. Please feel free to share your pronouns and any reasonable adjustments you may need during the interview process. 

If you would like to speak to a team member about our commitment to diversity and inclusion, please contact our Inclusion Specialist emma.guest@unitywater.com or Reconciliation Action Plan Advisor rebecca.williams@unitywater.com.

Additional information: 

• We are proud to be recognized as an employer of choice for women by WORK180.
• We are proud members of Pride in Diversity and Australian Disability Network. 
• We are a 2025 Circle Back Initiative Employer – we commit to respond to every applicant.

How to apply:
Please apply online following the links, and make sure to upload your up-to-date CV.

If you’re successful we will need you to undergo a few checks…. We know they might not be the fun part, but you will need to confirm your right to work in Australia and complete relevant pre-employment checks, including verification of criminal history, drivers licence and driving history, alcohol and other drug screening.

Applications close: Sunday 25th January 2026.

For further information please contact the Careers team at careers@unitywater.com

Unitywater respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waterways in which we live, work and operate, the Kabi Kabi, Jinibara and Turrbal peoples. We honour their enduring connection to these places and their deep cultural, spiritual and environmental knowledge and stewardship over the waterways that sustain us all. We pay our deepest respects to Elders past and present, who hold the wisdom, traditions and stories of their people.