Water Lead – QLD

When you join Tonkin, you become part of a team that thrives on delivering exceptional outcomes, creating lasting value for people, communities and the environment.

Founded in 1955, Tonkin is on a strong, sustained growth journey. Our creative and progressive national team, located across seven offices throughout Australia, is proudly employee-owned and dedicated to providing imaginative, dependable, and technically excellent solutions. We deliver across the public and private sectors with industry-leading expertise in water, waste, transport, natural resources management, buildings, public works, and land development.

With a growing portfolio of high-profile, impactful, and complex projects, we’re seeking exceptional professionals who share our vision to be Australia’s infrastructure consultant of choice.

About the Role

As Queensland Water Lead, you will play a pivotal role in growing Tonkin’s water capability combining business development, technical leadership, and consulting expertise with the delivery of water and wastewater projects.

You’ll work across projects including water supply, sewerage, pipelines and pump stations, while building strong relationships with clients and industry partners, while taking ownership of the growth and development of our existing high-performing water team.

Working closely with Tonkin’s leadership and multidisciplinary teams nationally, you’ll have the opportunity to shape our water offering and play a key role in identifying new opportunities and building long-term client relationships.

Key Responsibilities

Client and Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with current and prospective clients, key stakeholders, and industry networks.
• Leverage existing client relationships and industry networks to identify and win new work for Tonkin.
• Represent Tonkin with clients and stakeholders, ensuring transparent communication, proactive issue management, and delivery of value-driven outcomes.
• Contribute to business development by identifying new opportunities, preparing proposals, and supporting client presentations and tenders.
• Develop and maintain a strong understanding of the local water market, clients, industry trends, and emerging opportunities.
• Shape and influence the water team’s culture, reputation, and market presence through authentic leadership and collaboration.

Program and Project Delivery

• Lead the successful delivery of water and wastewater infrastructure projects, providing technical leadership and project management support across the project lifecycle.
• Develop and implement delivery approaches, project controls, and performance measures that support consistent, high-quality and efficient project outcomes.
• Monitor and report on project delivery performance, schedule, budget, risks, and quality, ensuring proactive issue resolution.
• Provide technical guidance and oversight across water supply and sewerage projects, including pipelines, pump stations and associated infrastructure.
• Foster a strong culture of safety, collaboration, quality, and accountability across project delivery teams.
• Champion innovation and practical solutions in water engineering and project delivery through the application of new technologies, digital tools, and improved processes.

Leadership and People Development

• Mentor and coach engineers and project leaders, building technical capability and supporting career growth.
• Lead and develop a high-performing water team, fostering a culture of teamwork, professional excellence, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement.
• Support workforce planning and recruitment as our water capability continues to grow.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams across Tonkin to share knowledge, expertise, and opportunities.

Financial and Strategic Management

• Responsible for the financial performance of the Queensland Water team, including budgeting, forecasting, project profitability, and resource planning.
• Align water capability and business strategies with Tonkin’s broader strategic objectives.
• Identify and pursue opportunities for operational improvement, service innovation, and business growth.
• Support the development of strategic client and market plans to grow Tonkin’s water capability.

About You

You may currently be a Senior Engineer, Principal Engineer or established Water Leader ready to take the next step in your career. You’re comfortable operating at both a strategic and delivery level, bringing a balance of technical expertise, client engagement, business development, and team leadership to every project.

You will have:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil or Mechanical Engineering, or an associated field (postgraduate qualifications desirable).
• Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) status with Engineers Australia, with RPEQ accreditation and eligibility for other state-based registration schemes.
• Proven experience in water and wastewater engineering across infrastructure projects.
• Demonstrated experience leading engineering teams within a consultancy or engineering environment.
• Strong working knowledge of current local statutory requirements, engineering standards, codes, and contract standards applicable to water infrastructure projects.
• Proven ability to develop and maintain positive internal relationships and work collaboratively with a range of engineering professionals.
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong external client relationships, key stakeholder connections, and industry networks that contribute to business growth.
• Strong financial management and business planning experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a collaborative leadership style that builds trust, capability, and engagement.
• Demonstrated experience in applying Quality Assurance, Risk Management, Safety in Design, HAZOP, and design review processes across projects.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a strong attention to detail and focus on producing high-quality technical outcomes.
• Experience in project planning, scheduling, resource management, and project controls.
• Understanding of contract administration and procurement processes.
• Familiarity with digital engineering, BIM, modelling software, and emerging water infrastructure technologies is highly regarded.

Why Tonkin?

At Tonkin, we know people perform at their best when they enjoy coming to work. We offer you the opportunity to collaborate with leading industry experts in a genuinely supportive and caring environment. We value flexibility and trust – empowering you to build your skills, progress your career quickly, and work in a way that suits you.

Good people. Challenging projects. Caring environment. That’s Tonkin.

Take your career to the next level and click ‘Apply to this Job’ to join Tonkin!

For this role, you must have the right to live and work permanently in this location.

Tonkin will only consider applications submitted directly by candidates. We will not accept or consider any applications from recruiters or recruitment agencies for this position unless requested.