Head of Economics and Regulation

At Sydney Water, we exist for our customers. We’re more than 3,500 people working together striving to do more and be better for the environment, our customers, our people, and our water. Our teams are passionate about innovation, sustainability, and delivering exceptional customer experiences. As the leading provider of water, wastewater, recycled water, and stormwater services in Greater Sydney, we are dedicated to ensuring reliable, affordable services while safeguarding Sydney’s future and protecting our iconic waterways. 

We are seeking a visionary and commercially astute Head of Economics and Regulation to lead, shape and deliver the enterprise funding and regulatory strategies that secure and sustain Sydney Water’s long-term success. This senior management role reports to the Executive General Manager, Finance, Commercial & Digital. 

About the Role 

As Head of Economics and Regulation, you will drive the processes that secure the funding Sydney Water requires to meet customer, community, and shareholder expectations. You will oversee business planning, regulatory submissions, financial and regulatory modelling, and the management of our revenue reset cycle. This includes working with the Board, Executive, and key business functions to steer corporate planning, define expenditure programs, manage customer pricing, incentive schemes, and strategic engagement with the economic regulator. 

Your mandate encompasses effective management of customer pricing plans, regulated cost of capital, competitive access issues, and critical regulatory cycles. You will play a vital role in shaping public policy debates and advancing Sydney Water’s position on competition and regulatory reform. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Strategic Corporate Planning:  Oversee and direct the development of long-term and short-term investment, pricing and customer bill plans aligned with Sydney Water’s strategic vision. 
• Business & Regulatory Leadership: Shape, implement, and adapt Sydney Water’s business and regulatory models to maximise customer and shareholder value. 
• Financial & Regulatory Modelling: Maintain and continuously improve financial models and regulatory frameworks to ensure a single source of truth for reporting and stakeholder engagement. 
• Performance Oversight: Monitor and evaluate team and enterprise performance, implement best practice improvements, and facilitate a strong performance culture driven by incentives and customer commitments. 
• Board & Executive Support: Prepare and present high-quality board, executive, and committee papers for key decision-making, ensuring robust analysis and recommendations. 
• Regulatory Engagement: Manage strategic relationships with regulators such as IPART and other stakeholders - including through the design and execution of regulatory strategies, pricing reviews, evidence-based proposals, and customer research. 
• Policy & Advocacy: Lead Sydney Water’s participation in market reform, competition policy, investment planning, infrastructure access, and environmental regulatory issues. 
• Change Leadership: Mentor and inspire your team to challenge the status quo, drive transformation and continuous improvement, and foster agility in processes and outcomes. 
• Team Management: Lead, coach, and empower a high-performing team, ensuring delivery of regulatory cycles, pricing determinations, and compliance with licence and policy requirements. 

About You 

To succeed in this role, you’ll bring: 

• Leadership Experience: At least 10–15 years in senior roles within regulated utility environments, including 10 years’ experience leading high-performing teams. 
• Technical Expertise: Proven background in economics, business, government, or finance, with demonstrated capability in cost/revenue modelling, econometric analysis, cost-benefit analysis, environmental value measurement, and customer analytics. 
• Strategic Acumen: Advanced commercial acumen, deep business and regulatory understanding, and the ability to develop and deliver robust regulatory strategy. 
• Analytical Excellence: Strong conceptual, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the confidence to communicate complex issues succinctly and creatively. 
• Stakeholder Management: Exceptional skills in influencing, communicating, and building credibility with executives, boards, regulators, customers, and internal teams. 
• Business Acumen: Advanced proficiency in financial, regulatory, and strategic decision-making. 
• Collaboration & Agility: Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally, prioritise competing demands, manage deadlines, and drive change in a high-volume environment. 
• Qualifications: Degree in economics, business, government, finance, or a related field, or equivalent experience. 

Make a Lasting Impact 

If you are ready to lead the development and delivery of Sydney Water’s funding, business planning, and regulatory strategies and want to help shape the future of water management for Greater Sydney, we invite you to apply and make a meaningful difference to our city’s environmental and economic future. 

Please note as part of the application process, you will be asked to undergo background checks which includes a criminal history check and medical assessment. 

You must be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident at the time of submitting your application to be considered for this role. 

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. 

Discounted 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 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. 

Closing Date: 7th August at 11:59pm AEST 

Please advise if you require any adjustments to actively participate in the application and recruitment process. 

For any further information please contact hayley.williams@sydneywater.com.au 

Working at Sydney Water 

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 First Nations people, LGBTQIA+, people with disability, people with caring responsibilities, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and veterans. 

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 job profile for the role’s full accountabilities.