Associate Director, Water in Sydney

As part of our Consulting & Strategic Advisory practice, our Water team works at the intersection of people, regulation and the water environment, helping regulated water utilities deliver better outcomes for customers and the environment. We bring together a diverse, high‑performing team with deep technical expertise, strong regulatory insight and a collaborative, digitally enabled approach, delivering high‑quality advisory services and independent technical assurance that drive real change for communities.

The Associate Director - Water will be responsible for contributing to the growth of our Water and Wastewater Advisory capability across Australia, with links to our global practice. The role provides strategic and technical leadership across a multidisciplinary team delivering a variety of advisory and engineering services to water utilities and regulators. Building upon the foundational advisory services of regulatory economics, technical assurance, bioresources/biosolids and asset management, along with leveraging Engineering and Design (E&D) and Project and Program Management (PPM) teams, this role will contribute to the growth of AtkinsRéalis’ portfolio in the Australian water sector.

Working closely with the Water Market Lead, you will assist in building a high‑performing, sustainable team, aligned to market demand, while establishing a nationally recognised centre of excellence known for technical quality, innovation and collaboration. The location of the role is flexible across the East Coast of Australia, with hybrid‑working supported and with potential offices including Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane.

Your role includes:

• Assisting in shaping team structure, capability and capacity to respond to emerging Australian water market, regulatory and policy priorities.
• Supporting client engagement across the water sector, helping to strengthen relationships and contribute to business planning that builds a sustainable pipeline of work.
• Playing a key role in work‑winning activities, supporting the coordination and development of compelling, competitive and commercially sound bids and proposals.
• Providing high‑quality regulatory, technical and advisory services to Australian and international clients, working collaboratively with the Water Market Lead and wider business.
• Supporting effective project resourcing and delivery in line with service delivery standards, governance requirements and client expectations.
• Supporting delivery against financial targets, productivity objectives and the development of a strong performance culture.
• Supporting our Water Market Lead in developing, mentoring and motivating a high‑performing, diverse and inclusive Water team, contributing to clear development and mobility pathways.
• Championing a collaborative win‑work culture, supporting opportunity management through CRM and shared accountability for growth.

About you:

• Leadership and communication skills with the ability to lead, inspire, collaborate, and engage effectively across medium‑sized teams.
• Track record of developing self and others to deliver demonstrable results.
• A known leader within the Australian water sector, with a strong network.
• Able to establish trusted relationships with clients and get satisfaction from meeting/exceeding client expectations.
• Possess a proactive and client‑focused attitude towards delivery.
• Ability to critically assess projects of all complexities to identify risks and opportunities and use project management and governance processes to balance business and client needs.
• Experience of supporting the creation and successful delivery of financial and operational performance budgets and forecasts, taking inputs from various stakeholders.
• Possess knowledge, experience and expertise of core Consulting Advisory functions including industry leading approaches to operations and maintenance, tools, planning and integration.
• Appropriately flexible for travel as required around relevant office locations.

Rewards & benefits:

• Flexible and hybrid work solutions.
• Remote work opportunities outside of country.
• Performance driven discretionary bonus program.
• Employee Wellbeing Program: 24/7 access to specialists in finance, legal matters, family care, personal health, fitness, and nutrition.

AtkinsRéalis is a world‑class engineering services and nuclear organisation. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.