This is a Senior people professional role which has organisational impact.

• You have proven experience working in complex and matrixed environments
• You’re a strategic thinker and influencer.
• You are comfortable leading through ambiguity.

Make a meaningful impact every day

At Sydney Water, everything we do is for our customers, our communities and the future of our city. With more than 3,500 people, we protect Sydney’s water, environment and liveability — and we’re transforming how we work to ensure our services remain sustainable, reliable and future‑ready.

As we evolve our operating model and uplift organisational capability, we’re building a high‑performing, engaged workforce that enables our strategy. Join us and play a pivotal role in leading this transformation.

As a strategic people business partner, you will shape culture, drive change, strengthen leadership capability and deliver people strategies that support the future operating model. The position requires a trusted advisor and confident change leader who can navigate complexity, influence senior stakeholders and guide teams through ambiguity with clarity and impact.

About the role

• Provide strategic partnering to members of Sydney Water’s Executive Leadership team to translate organisational strategy and model changes into targeted people plans.
• Drive the people‑related components of organisational transformation, including organisational design, capability uplift and cultural evolution across the business.
• You will provide strong leadership, coaching and direction to a team of P&C professionals to ensure they deliver high‑quality, customer‑focused people solutions for both a workforce that is made up of blue and white collar employees.
• Develop, refine and embed people strategies, frameworks and initiatives that align with our evolving operating model and organisational goals.
• Provide expert advice on organisational change, union engagement and complex case management, ensuring risks are managed and outcomes are fair and compliant.
• Internally this role is communicated as ‘Manager, People & Culture’. Please see the role profile for the role’s full accountabilities.

What You’ll Bring

To succeed, you will bring:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Organisational Psychology or related field.
• Proven experience leading and developing P&C or HR teams in complex, fast‑paced environments and can inspire high performance.
• Successfully delivered organisational change programs and can confidently lead teams and stakeholders through transformation.
• Influenced senior executives as a trusted advisor and shape people strategies that directly support business priorities.
• Managed complex casework, organisational change and union engagement with sound judgement, with experience leading operating-model or structural change to redesign roles, evolve ways of working and uplift organisational capability.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Organisational Psychology or related field.

Why Sydney Water?

• Play a pivotal role in shaping our culture, capability and the future of water in Greater Sydney.
• Hybrid working arrangements that support flexibility and work life balance.
• Join a collaborative team committed to innovation, sustainability and positive impact.
• Competitive remuneration and opportunities for development.

Recruitment Process

• To apply, please submit your CV along with a covering letter explaining why you are the right candidate for this role.

As part of your cover letter, please submit your response to the below question.

• Describe a people plan or workforce strategy you developed in response to specific business or customer needs. What insights informed your approach, how did you ensure it delivered value, and how did you measure its effectiveness?

Closing date: 11.59AEST on Friday 14th August

Please note as part of the application process, you will be asked to undergo background checks which includes a criminal history check and a medical assessment either online or in person. You must be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident at the time of submitting your application to be considered for this role. 

Please review the job description here

Please advise if you require any adjustments to actively participate in the application and recruitment process.  

Dive into Our Great Benefits:

• Competitive Remuneration: We’ll ensure that your skills and contributions are valued and rewarded appropriately.
• Hybrid Work Environment: We offer a hybrid work model that balances remote work and office collaboration, supporting our team's productivity and well-being.
• Continuous Professional Growth: We will invest in your career with leadership and development programs to propel your success.
• 24/7 Wellbeing Support: Access for you and your family to free and confidential mental health and general health support through our EAP portal.
• Discounted Private Health Insurance: Unlock affordable access to top-tier health coverage with our discounted insurance plans.
• Family First: Prioritise your family with up to 18 weeks of fully paid parental leave and a childcare allowance.
• Fitness Passport: Achieve your physical fitness goals using our Fitness Passport, granting you access to a multitude of gyms and pools across NSW.
• Novated Leasing: Get in the driver's seat of your financial future with our novated lease options.

For more information, you can contact TA Partner Connor May at Connor.May@sydneywater.com.au 

As part of the application process, Sydney Water will be collecting your personal information to assess your suitability for the role. Your personal information may also be used to establish a Dayforce talent profile. Your personal information will be collected in accordance with Dayforce’s Terms and Privacy Policy and Sydney Water’s Privacy Collection Statement – recruitment. Please note as part of the application process, you will be asked to undergo background checks which include a criminal history check.