Sustainable Project Development Manager

Davidson is seeking a Sustainable Project Development Manager to lead sustainable project initiatives for Unitywater, focusing on environmental innovation and capital solutions. The role involves shaping infrastructure projects to meet sustainability goals, including carbon neutrality by 2040. Candidates should have substantial experience in sustainable project development within the water or utilities sectors. The position is based in Sunshine Coast or Moreton Bay, Australia, indicating it is not fully remote.
• Lead sustainable project development for one of SEQ’s key infrastructure portfolios
• Champion environmental innovation and future-focused capital solutions
• Flexible base location – Sunshine Coast or Moreton Bay

The Organisation

Unitywater provides essential water supply and sewerage services to communities across the Sunshine Coast, Noosa and Moreton Bay regions. Operating on the lands of the Kabi Kabi, Jinibara and Turrbal peoples, Unitywater is dedicated to sustainability, innovation and service excellence. With a strong customer and community focus, Unitywater is driven by its purpose to keep communities healthy and sustainable.

The Sustainable Infrastructure Solutions business unit plays a central role in long-term growth planning, infrastructure delivery and engineering excellence. With increasing expectations for environmental accountability and forward-thinking development, Unitywater has created a pivotal opportunity for a sustainability-minded leader to join as Sustainable Project Development Manager.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Manager, Growth and Planning, the Sustainable Project Development Manager is a newly created, senior leadership role which plays a critical part in helping the organisation meet its strategic goals, including becoming carbon neutral and nutrient zero by 2040, while enhancing biodiversity. You’ll take ownership of shaping sustainable infrastructure initiatives, embedding measurable sustainability targets, and preparing projects for seamless delivery through established design and construction partnerships.

You will develop holistic project solutions that balance financial, social and environmental imperatives, ensuring that infrastructure investments align with both immediate needs and long-term ambitions. Acting as a key integrator across Master Planning, Approvals and Regulation, Major Developments and Growth Engineering, you will embed sustainability into project initiation processes and lead the development of environmentally-enhanced initiatives.

This role also supports the Environmental Sustainability Plan and ensures alignment with Unitywater’s broader strategy through early project definition, bundling, and capital program planning.

Our Ideal Candidate

You are a seasoned engineering or infrastructure professional with significant experience in sustainable project development, ideally within water, utilities, or related infrastructure sectors. You bring deep technical knowledge in sustainability practices including circular economy principles, renewable energy integration, resource conservation, and green infrastructure design.

With deep industry experience, you have demonstrated success in leading teams and delivering strategic project outcomes in complex, multi-stakeholder environments. Your leadership style is collaborative and values-driven, reflecting Unitywater’s One Unitywater Behaviours of creating the future, caring together, and owning it.

You are a strategic thinker and systems integrator, capable of navigating regulatory environments, engaging across diverse teams, and advocating for innovative and sustainable infrastructure solutions.

Why This Role?

This is a rare opportunity to influence and shape Unitywater’s infrastructure sustainability from the earliest stages of project development. With a focus on environmental innovation, integrated planning and long-term service sustainability, the role offers genuine impact and career purpose. Enjoy flexibility in base location and contribute to a forward-thinking organisation committed to a better future for communities and the environment.

To apply, please click ‘Apply Now’ and upload your resume and cover letter. For a confidential discussion, please contact Mark Carter on 0497 806 884.

Davidson is committed to promoting diversity, inclusion and flexibility in all that we do. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and will accommodate accessibility needs on request.

Applications close Friday 20 June 2025.