Program Manager Low Carbon Landscapes (Max-Term until June 2029)

Ready to make a splash in your career? WaterNSW is seeking an experienced Program Manager Low Carbon Landscapes (Full-Time, Max-Term until June 2029) to join our Land & Catchment Management team.

This is a unique opportunity to lead the delivery of high-impact environmental and government-funded initiatives that create lasting benefits for communities, landscapes and the environment. As a key leader within the team, you will drive strategic projects focused on enhancing carbon sequestration, improving biodiversity and water quality, building climate resilience, and strengthening connections to Country for First Nations communities. Working across a diverse network of internal and external stakeholders, you will oversee the end-to-end delivery of a complex program of projects, ensuring strong governance, budget management, operational excellence, and safety outcomes. This role offers the chance to influence meaningful environmental outcomes while contributing to WaterNSW's long-term strategic objectives and sustainability agenda.

This is an opportunity to work with an essential organisation creating a more sustainable future for the state. This role offers the flexibility to work around life, your contribution will be valued, and you’ll be supported to build a rewarding career.

Location: Parramatta is the preferred location for the role. However, we may be open to considering having the successful candidate based anywhere in NSW where we have a WaterNSW office.

Our Perks and Benefits:

At WaterNSW, we believe that our employees should be as well taken care of as our rivers, dams, and pipelines, that’s why we offer a load of benefits:

• Flexible working
• Work a 9-day fortnight at Full pay on the Enterprise Agreement
• Up to 16 weeks paid parental leave
• Fertility leave
• Corporate wear allowance
• Professional development and educational assistance
• Salary starting from $156,345 base + super
• And so much more!

What you’ll do:

• Leadership: Provide leadership through working with WaterNSW managers, delivery team leads and subject matter experts (SMEs) to define and document business and project requirements that support effective project development and delivery, while also guiding delivery team members.
• External Representation: Represent WaterNSW as a key interface with external agencies, stakeholders, clients and customers, including close collaboration with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) and Taronga Conservation Society (Taronga) on grant funded projects.
• Program Governance & Delivery: Lead the delivery of programs by establishing effective governance structures, providing comprehensive oversight and coordination, and ensuring accurate reporting. Proactively escalate any key risks or sensitivities, while maintaining alignment with WaterNSW’s strategic priorities and project objectives.
• Cross-functional Coordination: Manage interdependencies across multidisciplinary teams to deliver consistent, high-quality program outcomes.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and manage relationships with external stakeholders, including government agencies, landholders, and First Nations communities to communicate the project, gather information, promote collaboration and maintain engagement throughout the project lifecycle.
• Quality, Reporting & Capability: Prepare comprehensive reports and briefings, and take responsibility for leading governance forums. Conduct a reviews of project deliverables to ensure they meet high quality standards. Additionally, actively contribute to business planning activities and provide mentoring to team members to support their professional development.

What we are looking for:

• Tertiary qualification in environmental science, land management or conservation science with experience in the management of projects or programs >$1-3 million in value.
• Demonstrated extensive experience in the management and successful delivery of complex projects in the land management, conservation or environmental field.
• Knowledge of program management principles (including development, implementation and program change control).
• Experience in preparing grant applications, securing and negotiating grant funding and managing compliance with grant requirements.
• Extensive Stakeholder engagement experience with highly developed written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience in preparing and tracking budget across multiple projects.
• Current NSW Drivers Licence.
• Nice to Have: Understanding of carbon credits and biodiversity offset schemes.

Who we are:

WaterNSW operates the state’s dams, capturing and storing water, and then supplying it ready for distribution – for the environment, agriculture, industry and the community. With 41 major dams and hundreds of waterways across the state, we play a vital role at the source of the state’s water, delivering two thirds of all water used in NSW.

We’re the people taking care of the state’s water at the source – capturing, storing, delivering.

How we will support you:

At WaterNSW, we balance flexibility – and the way we work – with the needs of the business, our teams, and us as individuals. When it comes to working in an office, we work in a hybrid way. If you’re required to be in the field or on site, the benefits of flexibility can be achieved in other ways, such as through a condensed work week. We are proud to be a WORK180 Endorsed Employer and are committed to providing equal opportunities for women. Visit our WORK180 page to access our benefits and career development opportunities.

Our commitment & culture:

No matter how or where you work, safety is the number one priority. This means the physical and mental safety of you, your colleagues, and the public. WaterNSW is committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Veterans, and people from all backgrounds to apply. We celebrate the unique perspectives, knowledge and lived experience you bring and are committed to ensuring an inclusive, supportive and respectful workplace for everyone. Find out more at waternsw.com.au.

For more information, please reach out to: Jasmine Choong on jasmine.choong@waternsw.com.au.

Please note applications for this position will close on Wednesday 12th August 2026 at 11.59pm.

You must have full work rights in Australia to qualify for all positions at WaterNSW.

We are a 2026 Circle Back Initiative Employer – we commit to respond to every applicant.

Privacy and collection of your personal information

If you apply for a position via our website or recruitment@waternsw.com.au, WaterNSW may collect your personal information. Please visit WaterNSW’s Privacy Page to view the Careers Collection Notice for more information about how WaterNSW collects, uses, and discloses your personal information.