Dams Safety Systems Manager - Owner’s Representative

• Shape Sydney’s water future through world‑class dam safety leadership
• Attractive salary package + exceptional benefits
• in a purpose‑driven team delivering essential services for 5+ million people

Why this role matters

Sydney Water’s dams are vital to the resilience, safety and liveability of Greater Sydney. As our Dam Safety Systems Manager (Owner’s Representative), you will lead the governance, assurance and regulatory engagement that keeps these assets safe, compliant and future‑ready. Your decisions will directly protect communities, safeguard water security, and uphold Sydney Water’s obligations as a declared dam owner.

About the role

In this technical cross functional leadership position, you will:

• Champion Sydney Water’s Dam Safety Management System (DSMS) and ensure full compliance with the Dams Safety Act, Regulation, DSNSW Guidelines, ANCOLD Guidelines, ISO 55001 and ISO 31000.
• Act as Sydney Water’s Owner’s Representative, maintaining strong, transparent and proactive engagement with Dams Safety NSW.
• Lead dam safety governance, risk assessment and assurance, ensuring risks are identified, assessed, controlled and monitored across the portfolio.
• Drive continuous improvement in dam safety processes, surveillance programs, reporting and portfolio‑wide governance.
• Influence and collaborate across engineering, operations, asset management and executive teams to embed a culture of dam safety excellence.
• Provide strategic leadership on complex technical programs, regulatory obligations and long‑term dam safety planning.

About you

You are a respected dam safety professional with deep technical expertise and the leadership presence to influence at all levels. You bring:

• 10+ years’ experience in dam safety management for declared dams
• A degree in engineering, science or related discipline (postgraduate dam engineering, risk or asset management preferred)
• Strong experience engaging with Dams Safety NSW or equivalent regulators
• Demonstrated capability in dam safety engineering, risk assessment, consequence category assessment, surveillance and reporting
• Proven experience developing and implementing portfolio‑wide dam safety governance
• A track record of leading complex technical programs with cross‑functional stakeholders
• Advanced understanding of: Dams Safety Act & Regulation, DSNSW Guidelines, ANCOLD Guidelines, ISO 55001 & ISO 31000
• Excellent analytical, communication and stakeholder management skills

Why our team like working at Sydney Water:

• Huge multi-billion-dollar programs of work which shapes Australia’s busiest and largest city. It’s rewarding!
• Positive team culture which celebrates wins and binds together to face challenges
• Flexible working arrangements, to give you fair work/life balance.
• We want your perspective and ideas to help us find better ways to delight our customers, so we encourage you to apply no matter your age, gender, or culture.
• Be part of a committed, highly skilled team who’ll appreciate what you bring to the table. You’ll set and achieve real goals and make decisions that matter, as together we help shape the lifestyle of greater Sydney.

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. 
• Subsidised 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. 

At Sydney Water, we are passionate about making a difference to the lives of our customers and communities. We have a proud heritage and progressive future providing world class drinking water and services that are vital to our customers’ quality of life and safeguarding Sydney’s future. We see the world is changing, so we are changing too. 

Our vision is to create better lives through world-class services, and we believe that starts with our people. Our people and their jobs are as diverse as the communities we serve. Our diverse skills, mindsets and backgrounds work together on exciting and challenging projects that make a difference and help ensure Sydney remains one of the most iconic and liveable cities in the world.

We welcome and encourage applications from diverse backgrounds, including Frist Nations people, LGBTQIA+, people with disability, people with caring responsibilities, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

"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. We look at our Talent Community first when new opportunities come up when you apply for a role. Your personal information will be collected in accordance with LiveHire’s Terms, Privacy Policy and Sydney Water’s Privacy Collection Statement – Job Application. Please see the position description for the role’s full accountabilities."

Do you think you are up for the challenge? We would love to hear from you! Please submit your resume, cover letter outlining your experiences and respond to the screening questions as part of the application. 

Application close date: Thursday the 18^th of May 2026 11:59pm

If you require further information regarding this vacancy, please email jay.gil@sydneywater.com.au

Please see the job profile for the role’s full accountabilities.