Title:  Strategic Operations Director

The Opportunity 

Within this role you’ll provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Sydney Desalination Plant based in Kurnell. You'll be the trusted face of Veolia to our client's executive team, leading a multidisciplinary team and driving a culture where safety, innovation and continuous improvement are non negotiable.

You'll be a visible, on site leader — setting the standard for safety and performance directly with your team every day — while shaping the long term strategy that secures Sydney's water future.

What’s on Offer

• Lead a world class desalination plant supplying water to millions of Sydneysiders

• Strategic leadership role with full contract, client and P&L accountability

• Competitive compensation package including performance incentives and employee share plan

• Work for a global leader committed to sustainable water solutions

• A collaborative, high performing leadership culture that values safety and innovation

What You’ll be Doing

• Develop and execute a long term strategic plan to meet future water demands across a changing regulatory, environmental and financial landscape

• Serve as the primary interface with the client's executive team, building trusted, transparent and responsive relationships

• Represent Veolia to government bodies, statutory authorities and community groups

• Lead and develop a high performing multidisciplinary team, fostering a culture of safety, accountability and continuous improvement

• Oversee contract delivery, financial performance and risk management, ensuring full regulatory and SHEQ compliance

• Manage project budgets, forecasts and cost performance, identifying opportunities for optimisation

• Build team capability through professional development, clear goal setting and performance management

What You’ll Need to be Successful

• Extensive experience in water, wastewater or desalination operations, with a proven track record of senior strategic leadership in a complex, fast-paced environment

• Exceptional stakeholder and client management skills, including at executive level

• Strong commercial and financial management capability

• A boots on the ground approach to driving safety, performance and people development

Why Veolia? 

Join a global leader in resource management operating in 40+ countries with 6,500 employees across Australia and New Zealand. You'll make a real impact on sustainable water services while enjoying executive level benefits, genuine career progression, and a culture that values safety, innovation, and customer excellence.

What We Offer:

• Annual bonus programs and employee share plan with matched shares

• Salary Continuance Insurance covering 75% of salary for up to two years

• Fitness Passport, discounted BUPA health insurance and Employee Assistance Program

• LinkedIn Learning, structured development plans and service recognition rewards

Ready to Lead at the Highest Level? Apply Today!

Veolia is committed to building diverse, inclusive teams where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and experiences. If you need any adjustments to support your application, please let us know.

Veolia is committed to conducting recruitment in a fair, ethical and transparent manner based solely on merit. Candidates with direct or indirect personal or professional ties to Veolia and/or any third party related to Veolia business must disclose this information at the time of application.