First Nations Strategy Lead Sydney Water | Parramatta NSW | Full-time | Identified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Role Lead strategy. Strengthen cultural governance. Shape the future of water, Country and community. Sydney Water is seeking a highly experienced and culturally grounded First Nations Strategy Lead to guide enterprise-wide change and strengthen how First Nations perspectives, rights, aspirations and cultural authority are embedded across the organisation. This is a significant leadership opportunity for an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person who can walk strongly between community, culture, governance and corporate systems. In this role, you will help shape how Sydney Water respects Country, partners with Aboriginal communities, and embeds First Nations knowledge into decision-making, service delivery, infrastructure planning, workforce participation, procurement, environmental programs and community outcomes. Sydney Water provides water, wastewater, recycled water and stormwater services across Greater Sydney. With more than 3,500 employees, Sydney Water plays an essential role in safeguarding Sydney’s future, protecting iconic waterways, and delivering reliable and affordable services to communities. About the role The First Nations Strategy Lead will provide culturally grounded, enterprise-level leadership across the development, governance and delivery of Sydney Water’s First Nations Strategy. This role exists to ensure Sydney Water operates as an organisation that respects Country, values cultural authority, and partners authentically with Aboriginal communities, Elders, Traditional Custodians and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations in the planning, design and delivery of water services that impact lands, waters and communities. You will lead the co-design, implementation and continual improvement of the First Nations Strategy while ensuring cultural safety, self-determination, equity, reconciliation and Country-centred practice are embedded across the organisation. This is a role with real influence. You will advise Executives, senior leaders and governance committees, build strong external partnerships, lead a small team, and help translate community voice into practical, measurable organisational action. What you will lead In this role, you will: Lead the co-design, implementation and continual improvement of Sydney Water’s First Nations Strategy. Develop frameworks, policies, action plans, annual reporting cycles and long-term roadmaps with community guidance. Establish culturally appropriate governance structures that support accountability and transparency. Provide authoritative advice to Executives, senior leaders and governance committees on First Nations matters, risks, opportunities and systemic change. Champion cultural capability uplift across Sydney Water. Build respectful relationships with Traditional Custodians, Local Aboriginal Land Councils, Elders, knowledge holders and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations. Represent Sydney Water in external forums and partnerships across reconciliation, cultural safety, employment, procurement and community engagement. Lead relationship-based community engagement across Sydney Water’s operating areas. Ensure engagement, policy design and program delivery are culturally safe, trauma informed and community led. Strengthen Aboriginal procurement, supplier diversity and culturally appropriate procurement pathways. Advise on cultural considerations across infrastructure planning, environmental programs, customer experience and corporate strategy. Support the integration of Country-centred approaches across major projects and organisational priorities. Lead the First Nations Strategy Specialist and First Nations Project Support Officer to deliver the First Nations Strategy project plan. About you Sydney Water is looking for a strong Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander leader who brings cultural knowledge, strategic capability, community trust and experience influencing change in complex environments. You will bring: Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage, as this is an Identified position. Strong cultural knowledge and established community relationships. Deep understanding of cultural protocols, Lore, community dynamics and Country-based knowledge systems. Senior-level experience leading First Nations strategy, policy or programs in a complex organisation. Proven ability to build trusted partnerships with Traditional Custodians, Local Aboriginal Land Councils, Elders, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and community leaders. Experience embedding cultural safety and trauma-informed practice in engagement and service delivery. Experience advising Executives or senior leaders on First Nations matters, systemic risks and opportunities. Strong skills in governance, reporting, risk management and strategic documentation. Experience driving First Nations employment, procurement, community engagement or cultural capability initiatives. Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to translate community voice into practical organisational advice. Experience in water, utilities, environment, natural resource management or infrastructure would be highly regarded, as would experience in Country-led planning, cultural landscape mapping, Indigenous design, Reconciliation Action Plans, social impact reporting or NSW Government First Nations frameworks. The leadership capability you will bring This role requires someone who can lead with cultural integrity, strategic discipline and influence. Sydney Water is seeking a leader with advanced capability in: Strategic thinking Relationship building Culture transformation Stakeholder management Advocacy Continuous improvement You will also bring the ability to work with accountability, agility and innovation while supporting others to deliver meaningful outcomes. Why this role matters Water is life. Water is Country. Water carries story, responsibility, connection and obligation. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, decisions about water, land, infrastructure and environment are not separate from culture. They are deeply connected to identity, community, ancestors and future generations. This role is an opportunity to ensure First Nations voices are not only heard, but embedded into governance, planning, strategy and delivery. It is a role for someone who understands the importance of cultural authority, community trust and respectful partnership. Someone who can sit with Elders and community, then walk into executive spaces and advocate with clarity, strength and purpose. This is a chance to help shape a major organisation’s relationship with First Nations peoples, Country and water for generations to come. Why join Sydney Water? At Sydney Water, your work will help deliver essential services, protect waterways, support communities and contribute to a more sustainable future. Sydney Water offers: Competitive remuneration. Hybrid working arrangements. Career growth and leadership development opportunities. 24/7 wellbeing support for you and your family through the EAP portal. Discounted private health insurance. Up to 18 weeks of fully paid parental leave. Childcare allowance. Fitness Passport access. Novated leasing options. Flexible working and career progression opportunities. Identified role information This is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Identified position . The role is open to, and applications will only be accepted from, people who identify as Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples pursuant to the exemption granted to Sydney Water under section 126 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW) , sections 8 and 51. Applicants must be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident at the time of submitting their application. As part of the recruitment process, applicants will be asked to complete background checks, including a criminal history check. To Apply Click here to apply - https://www.livehire.com/careers/sydneywater/job/AKPT4/6F947ZR31X/first-nations-strategy-lead Role details Position: First Nations Strategy Lead Organisation: Sydney Water Location: Parramatta NSW Work type: Full-time Work environment: Hybrid Team leadership: Yes, leading a team of 2 Job family: Strategy, Change and Planning Job function: Business Planning and Strategy Career stream: Leadership Closing date: Tuesday 26 May 2026 For recruitment adjustments or support to participate in the application process, please contact: Connor May Connor.May@sydneywater.com.au Indigenous Job Match endorsement Indigenous Job Match is proud to support Sydney Water in promoting this important First Nations leadership opportunity. This is a powerful opportunity for an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander leader to influence strategy, cultural governance, procurement, employment, infrastructure, environmental planning and community outcomes across one of New South Wales’ most essential public service organisations. What makes this role significant is that cultural knowledge is not being treated as an add-on. It is central to the purpose of the role. Sydney Water is seeking someone who can bring cultural authority, community relationships, strategic thinking and enterprise leadership together to create long-term change. We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander professionals with experience in First Nations strategy, policy, reconciliation, cultural capability, community engagement, procurement, governance, social impact, infrastructure, water, environment or organisational change to consider this opportunity. For the right person, this role offers the chance to lead with culture, influence systems, strengthen partnerships with community, and ensure First Nations voices help shape decisions that impact Country, water and future generations. If you are ready to bring your cultural leadership, strategic voice and community-centred approach into a role with real enterprise influence, we encourage you to apply.
