Cost performance manager

• Join a leading client organisation delivering billion-dollar water infrastructure programs, offering long-term involvement in complex, large-scale projects.
• Engage with Top-Level StakeholdersWork directly with senior leaders on high-impact, world-class projects, expanding your professional infrastructure delivery network.
• Learn from the Best Join a team led by one of only 15 certified managers in Australia & 378 in the world, offering you mentorship from a globally recognized expert.

Who we are:

Sydney Water is undertaking a 10-year infrastructure program to renew, expand & build infrastructure to support a more sustainable, resilient, and efficient water network for Sydney's growing population. We provide safe drinking, recycled, wastewater, and stormwater services with a focus on reliability, affordability, and environmental sustainability. As a state-owned corporation, we prioritize customers and communities.

About the role:

The main responsibility of this role is to manage the development and application of expert cost insights to support Infrastructure Delivery performance management. The role will provide subject matter expertise in cost data, budgeting, and financial performance to ensure reliable and meaningful cost metrics are integrated into systems and reporting tools. By working collaboratively with finance, project controls, and the reporting and system teams, the role will help validate cost data from SAP and related systems and support the design of cost-related KPIs and reporting and systems frameworks. This position plays a key role in enabling early identification of financial risks and opportunities, ensuring project cost performance is accurately monitored and supports proactive and informed decision-making.

• Act as a subject matter expert for cost estimate performance data, ensuring its integrity and accuracy across all systems and reports.
• Design and validate performance KPIs, frameworks, and data structures to ensure they align with project and business objectives.
• Engage and collaborate with multiple teams and key stakeholders, including Reporting, Systems, Finance, and Commercial, to ensure consistent data interpretation and reporting.
• Provide expert insights by analysing cost data to identify trends, risks, and variances.
• Support the development and continuous improvement of systems, processes, and tools, championing best practices and data quality throughout the organization.

• A tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline, such as program/project management or engineering, with a preference for a postgraduate qualification or equivalent experience.
• Over eight years of experience in cost control, commercial, or financial performance roles within infrastructure or capital programs.
• Demonstrated expertise in interpreting and validating cost data from financial systems (e.g., SAP), and a proven ability to use cost-based KPIs like CPI and cost variance to report on program performance.
• Strong analytical skills to identify financial risks and trends and the ability to collaborate effectively with finance, commercial, and delivery teams to align on financial frameworks.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with experience in a matrix structure to influence decision-making and co-designing financial data models with BI and systems teams.

• 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 see the job profile for the role's full accountabilities

• Competitive Remuneration: We'll ensure that your skills and contributions are valued and rewarded appropriately.
• Employee Networks: We proudly offer and support Employee Led networks, such as Women of Water, Pride, First Nations and Disability & Neurodiversity Networks
• Continuous Professional Growth: We will invest in your career with leadership and development programs to propel your success in the direction you desire.
• 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 generous 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.

Closing Date: Monday 29th Sept at 11:59 PM AEST

We want to ensure you feel supported and informed throughout every step of our recruitment process. Please advise if you require any adjustments to actively participate in the application and recruitment process. Please contact deirbhile.neary@sydneywater.com.au for any further information.

Working at Sydney Water

We welcome and encourage applications from diverse backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTQIA+, people with disability, people with caring responsibilities, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and veterans.

As part of the application process, Sydney Water will be collecting your personal information to assess your suitability for the role. We will also use your personal information to establish a LiveHire talent profile in our Talent Community.

Your personal information will be collected in accordance with LiveHire's Terms, Privacy Policy and Sydney Water's Privacy Collection Statement – Job Application. Please note as part of the application process, you will be asked to undergo background checks which includes a criminal history check.