* Planning & Decommissioning Manager | Design & Delivery Manager | Project Governance Manager | Communications & Engagement Manager
* Lead a $160M+ infrastructure program transforming regional Victoria
* Solve complex challenges. Deliver lasting community impact
Shape the Future of Regional Water Infrastructure
To learn more about this project, please visit: https://connect.coliban.com.au/rural-water-efficiency
Coliban Water is delivering one of the most significant infrastructure programs in regional Victoria - the Rural Water Efficiency Project (RWEP).
This is a 5-year, fully funded transformation program focused on modernising water delivery, improving sustainability, and transforming how water is delivered across regional Victoria.
This is a rare opportunity to join a brand-new leadership team, shaping a complex infrastructure project from the ground up.
A Trusted Regional Utility with a Clear Purpose
At Coliban Water, our vision is simple: healthy water, healthy people.
We deliver essential water and wastewater services to almost 180,000 customers across North Central Victoria, supporting communities, agriculture and industry across a region spanning more than 16,500 square kilometres.
This program represents a major investment in regional infrastructure — and a rare opportunity to be part of a project that will leave a lasting legacy for communities, customers, and the environment.
Four Leadership Roles | One Integrated Program
Coliban Water is seeking four experienced Managers to lead critical workstreams within the RWEP program, based in Bendigo, VIC.
Reporting to the Project Director, these roles will operate as part of an integrated leadership team responsible for delivering complex program outcomes across infrastructure delivery, planning, governance and stakeholder engagement.
This is a single application process, where you can indicate which role aligns best with your experience.
While all roles share common expectations, each has a distinct focus:
* Deliver infrastructure design, procurement and capital works across a major rural water modernisation program.
* Suited to leaders from engineering, utilities, construction, infrastructure or major project delivery environments.
* Click here for position description
Manager - Planning & Decommissioning
* Oversee environmental approvals, planning pathways, land access and decommissioning programs across the project.
* Well suited to professionals from town planning, environmental approvals, infrastructure planning or regulatory environments.
* Click here for position description
* Drive governance, reporting, risk, compliance and program coordination across the broader project team.
* Ideal for backgrounds in governance, legal, finance, program controls or complex public-sector environments.
* Click here for position description
Manager - Communications & Engagement
* Lead stakeholder engagement, customer communication and public-facing project initiatives across the program.
* Best suited to professionals from strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, public relations or infrastructure consultation backgrounds.
* Click here for position description
Click here for an overview of the RWEP team structure
Why This Project Is Different
This is not a business-as-usual infrastructure program.
RWEP combines technical complexity, regional impact, stakeholder sensitivity and long-term transformation within a highly collaborative project environment.
You'll have the opportunity to:
* Build and shape newly formed leadership functions
* Influence program direction and decision-making
* Work across office, field and stakeholder environments
* Solve complex problems with visible community impact
* Contribute to infrastructure outcomes that will shape the region for decades
* Join a program environment built on collaboration, momentum and genuine team culture
This is the kind of project that rarely becomes available in regional Victoria.
What Success Looks Like
In your first 3 months:
* Building strong internal and external relationships
* Bringing your team together and creating alignment
* Developing a clear understanding of program priorities, risks, and delivery approach
At 12 months:
* Confidently navigating complexity and change
* Leading a high-performing, engaged team
* Proactively managing risks and driving program outcomes
To succeed in these opportunities, you will bring strong leadership capability together with demonstrated experience operating within complex infrastructure, planning, governance or stakeholder environments.
You will likely possess qualifications and experience aligned to your chosen stream, alongside proven capability in leading teams, managing competing priorities and delivering outcomes within high-accountability environments.
Additionally, the following skills and background will be highly valued:
* Experience operating within large-scale infrastructure, utilities or public-sector environments
* Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management capability
* Commercial judgement and the ability to navigate complexity and ambiguity
* Experience balancing strategic thinking with operational delivery
* Confidence influencing outcomes across technical, operational and community stakeholders
* Strong communication, governance and decision-making capability
As our ideal candidate, you are a collaborative and emotionally intelligent leader who enjoys solving problems, building relationships and driving meaningful outcomes.
These are opportunities for professionals who want more than a standard management role, they are opportunities to help shape a major regional infrastructure program with lasting community impact.
What This Opportunity Offers You
Remuneration will be competitive and aligned with Band 5 to 6 Frameworks, commensurate with skills and experience.
The positions are funded for a period of five years. The organisation intends to align the employment arrangement with the project's duration, subject to the certification of a new Enterprise Agreement and compliance with the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth). Until the new Agreement is certified, any employment will be made in accordance with the current Enterprise Agreement.
Additional benefits include:
* Flexible Working Arrangements
* Strong leadership support and development investment
* The opportunity to build and lead your own team
* A career-defining project with lasting community impact
Ready to Lead Something That Matters?
If you are motivated by complex challenges, meaningful community impact, and the opportunity to help shape one of regional Victoria's most significant infrastructure programs, we encourage you to APPLY NOW!
When submitting your application, please choose the leadership stream most closely aligned to your skills, experience and career background.
Applications Close Sunday 31st May 2026
For more information about this role, please contact the team at Scout Talent (07) 3330 2595
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