is now recruiting for:

Manager, Government Relations

Applications are now closed for this role. For application enquiries, please contact our team.

Overview

About Seqwater

Seqwater is the Queensland Bulk Water Supply Authority responsible for delivering safe, secure and cost-effective bulk water supply for more than three million people across South East Queensland. We also:

provide essential flood mitigation services
manage catchment health and offer community recreation facilities
provide water for irrigation to about 1,200 farmers across seven water supply schemes.

Seqwater is one of the largest water businesses with the most geographically spread and diverse asset base of any capital city water authority. Our operations extend from the New South Wales border to the base of the Toowoomba ranges.

The way we work at Seqwater

We provide a safe, sustainable and valued water supply on behalf of the South East Queensland community.
Water for Life - an innovative leader, delivering our most precious resource for generations to come.
Integrity – be honest and do the right thing.
Respect – work together, seek to understand, value differences and bring your best.
Care – look after yourself, each other, our communities and our environment.
Courage – speak up, find better ways, lead by example.

Working with Seqwater

Download the Working at Seqwater Brochure

Download

At Seqwater, we do good work, with great people in beautiful places. We are one of the largest and most diverse water businesses in Australia, providing essential water services for more than three million people across South East Queensland.

We are incredibly passionate about the good we do and the difference we make. We get to work with great people, with the backdrop of South East Queensland's most beautiful places, and are proud to have a team that is genuinely committed to our shared purpose.

We aim to be a positive and supportive organisation that nurtures diversity, inclusion, career growth and opportunity.

Manager, Government Relations

Your Role

You will play a pivotal role in developing and maintaining positive relationships between Seqwater, government entities and elected representatives. Your primary responsibilities will include monitoring legislative and regulatory developments, advocating for the organisation's interests, and strategically engaging with government officials and stakeholders. You will also support the executive and senior management relationship leads in developing strong relationships with key Government stakeholders in support of Seqwater’s strategic objectives.

As a Senior Leader, you will also play a critical role using your strong leadership capabilities to shape Seqwater’s culture and drive improved performance, safety and customer experience.

Key responsibilities

Work with Executive and Senior Leadership Teams to develop and implement a comprehensive government affairs strategy aligned with the organisation goals and objectives.
Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key government officials, Ministerial officers, and agencies, and represent Seqwater at elected representative briefings and at other forums Coach and mentor the Executive and Senior Leadership Teams to build strong relationships with key external stakeholders to maximise stakeholder support for Seqwater’s corporate strategies.
Maintain an understanding of contemporary issues affecting the water industry and provide strategic advice on government relations issues and potential impacts on the business; and recommend mitigating actions.
Advocate for the organisation's interests through direct engagement with government officials, policymakers, and relevant stakeholders.
Oversee organisational preparedness for the annual Parliamentary Estimates hearings, in addition to regular input to Parliamentary Preparatory Questions (PPQs), Questions on Notice (QONs), and briefing materials.
Effectively lead the Government Relations team driving a high-performance culture delivering improved outcomes in government relations.
Manage incoming correspondence from government and elected representatives, ensuring timely responses that protect and enhance Seqwater’s reputation and demonstrate our focus on community and customer centricity.
Observe and comply with all Seqwater work health and safety, quality and environmental management systems and procedures.
Undertake other duties, which are assigned from time to time by the Leader.
In all duties, comply with the behavioural expectations set out in The Way We Work (Seqwater’s Code of Conduct), and our policies and procedures.

Qualifications and experience

Essentials

Bachelor’s degree in communications, political science, public policy or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
Proven experience in developing government relations, with a minimum of 10 years' experience
Experience mentoring and leading a team of experienced advisers

Desirables

Previous experience working within a ministerial office, a senior departmental role, key industry association or a relevant role in the utilities sector
Post graduate qualifications in a relevant discipline
A strong network across State and Local Government
Knowledge and interest in the water sector.

Capability Requirements

Sound knowledge of government policy, processes and political landscape relating to the utilities industry
Well-developed oral and written communication skills with the ability to influence and engage key stakeholders
Ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders
Demonstrated strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
Reputation management
Alignment with Seqwater values

Key relationships

Leads others:

Senior Government Relations Advisor
Government Relations Advisor

Internal customers:

Executive Leadership Team (ELT)
Senior Leadership Team (SLT)
Communication and Engagement Team

External customers:

Offices of the shareholding Ministers
Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water
Queensland Treasury
Queensland Treasury Corporation
State and local government organisations, including elected representatives
Industry organisations and stakeholders
Seqwater customers

Leadership Competencies

Seqwater’s leadership model, The Way We Lead, identifies the attributes that leaders at all levels need to demonstrate to support our vision, promise and values.

The model is underpinned by the belief that for leaders to create stronger engagement with their teams, they must balance their attention and efforts between inspiring, motivating and energising others while supporting and driving them to deliver on actions, goals and outcomes.

Leaders at Seqwater:

Build trust – are present, connected and authentic
Collaborate – build purposeful relationships
Demonstrate commitment – take ownership, embrace challenges and contribute expertise
Make effective decisions – think and act on what is best for business
Lead change – create a shared sense of purpose, make things happen
Drive for results – focus effort on the things that take us towards excellence.

Position Description

To learn of the requirements and attributes of our ideal candidate for this position, we invite you to please download the full position description below.

Download the PD

How to Apply

Requirements

To be considered, please provide the following information in your online application, for the assessment of your suitability:

A short (no more than two pages) statement focusing on how you align with the core accountabilities outlined in the role statement below.
Your current CV highlighting your relevant experience, qualifications, and achievements.

If you need assistance with your application please reach out to us.

Download Position Description