Long-Term Planning Leader

Position Overview

- 5-Year Maximum Term Contract, Full-Time opportunity

- True hybrid working - work from home and our office

The Role

Lead the development of long-term plans for assets, land, and water products through a stewardship-based approach.

This role provides strategic and commercial leadership that puts the future first—shaping decisions today for outcomes that will benefit communities, customers, and partners beyond our own time.

Partner across the organisation, sector, and with stakeholders to influence complex decisions and champion solutions that may not yet exist—holding space for uncertainty, innovation, and courageous choices.

About Water Utilities

We're on a mission to create a brighter future, where you can be a change maker at the source.

We're committed to reconciliation and supporting the self-determined role for Traditional Owners/Custodians in water and land management.

Your Key Responsibilities

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• Develop and lead long-term planning strategies for assets, land, and water products grounded in stewardship and systems thinking.\
• Collaborate with stakeholders to co-create plans that reflect shared values and future needs.\
• Shape responses to challenges such as water security, climate adaptation, and liveability.\
• Identify and pursue opportunities that create long-term public value across water, energy, and land systems.\
• Balance visionary thinking with commercial discipline to develop executable plans.\
• Represent the organisation in forums to influence and respond to regulatory shifts.\
• Build and lead a multidisciplinary team with capabilities in Country planning, biodiversity, land use, renewables, and water cycle stewardship.\
• Foster a values-led, high-performance culture committed to collaboration, inclusion, sustainability, reconciliation, and customer value.\
• Drive business growth and improve operational performance by leveraging data-driven insights and emerging trends.\
• Mentor and coach employees to develop their skills and achieve career goals.\
• Advocate for organisational priorities and objectives through effective communication and stakeholder engagement.\
• Continuously monitor and evaluate programme effectiveness, identifying areas for improvement and implementing changes as needed.\
• Embed safety protocols and incident reporting processes throughout the organisation to ensure a safe working environment.\
• Ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards, maintaining a strong reputation for integrity and ethics.\
• Contribute to the development of policies, procedures, and guidelines that support business objectives and promote a positive work environment.\
• Manage budgets, resources, and timelines to deliver projects and programmes on time, within budget, and to the desired quality standard.\
• Implement process improvements and optimise workflows to increase productivity and efficiency.\
• Engage with external partners, suppliers, and stakeholders to foster collaborative relationships and drive business success.\
• Provide thought leadership on industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies to inform strategic decision-making.\
• Develop and maintain knowledge of industry developments, regulatory requirements, and market trends to stay ahead of the competition.\
• Enhance employee experience through training, development, and recognition initiatives.\
• Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the organisation, ensuring a welcoming and respectful work environment.\
• Support the development of a diverse and inclusive workplace culture, fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute.\
• Embody and promote organisational values, behaviours, and competencies to align with business objectives.\
• Address and resolve conflicts, grievances, and performance issues in a fair, timely, and professional manner.\
• Monitor and analyse key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure progress towards organisational goals and make data-driven decisions.\
• Communicate effectively with employees, stakeholders, and the wider community to build trust, understanding, and cooperation.\
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, customers, and suppliers to achieve business objectives.\
• Provide coaching and mentoring to employees to help them develop their skills and advance their careers.\
• Develop and implement succession plans to ensure continuity of leadership and expertise.\
• Participate in talent management activities, including recruitment, selection, and retention initiatives.\
• Provide input to policy and procedural updates, ensuring they are aligned with organisational goals and objectives.\
• Collaborate with other departments to drive business growth, improve operational performance, and enhance the overall employee experience.\
• Embed a culture of continuous learning and development, promoting a mindset of lifelong learning and personal growth.\
• Support the development of innovative solutions to address complex problems and drive business success.\
• Establish and maintain effective communication channels with employees, stakeholders, and the wider community.\
• Drive business outcomes through data analysis, market research, and industry benchmarking.\
• Deliver presentations, reports, and other communications that engage and inform various audiences.\
• Provide exceptional customer service, responding promptly to customer inquiries and resolving issues in a fair and professional manner.\
• Identify and capitalise on business opportunities, leveraging internal and external networks to drive growth and expansion.\
• Develop and implement risk management strategies to mitigate potential threats and ensure business continuity.\
• Embed a culture of transparency, accountability, and open communication throughout the organisation.\
• Support the development of a comprehensive risk management framework, including identification, assessment, mitigation, and monitoring of risks.\
• Collaborate with other teams to identify and implement process improvements, increasing efficiency and reducing costs.\
• Provide guidance on employment law, industrial relations, and collective bargaining agreements to ensure compliance with relevant legislation.\
• Conduct regular audits and reviews to ensure adherence to policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.\
• Drive business performance through strategic planning, goal setting, and outcome-based measurement.\
• Facilitate workshops, training sessions, and coaching programs to enhance employee skills and knowledge.\
• Develop and implement a comprehensive training and development program to upskill and reskill employees.\
• Implement and manage HR systems, including payroll, benefits, and leave management.\
• Ensure compliance with employment laws, regulations, and industry standards, maintaining a strong reputation for integrity and ethics.\
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records, including personnel files, performance evaluations, and training documentation.\
• Develop and implement a reward and recognition program to motivate employees and reinforce organisational values.\
• Provide HR advisory services to employees, managers, and leaders to resolve conflicts, answer questions, and provide guidance.\

What We're Looking For

- Tertiary qualification in public policy, urban planning, business, strategy, or related field.

- Proven ability to lead and inspire teams through ambiguity and change.

- Demonstrated experience shaping long-term strategies and making decisions that balance innovation, public value, and commercial outcomes.

- Strong influence and negotiation skills with senior stakeholders.

- Commercial acumen with a good grasp of industry trends.

- A collaborative mindset - you build partnerships and foster diversity of thought.

- Systems and foresight thinking - you're comfortable with uncertainty and thinking beyond what exists today.

- A commitment to safety, inclusion, and shared value for current and future generations.