Scientific Analytical Services Manager

At Urban Utilities, our purpose is simple yet powerful – Enrich Quality of Life. With a $7 billion asset base and services spanning 1.5 million residents and more than 31,000 commercial customers across South East Queensland, we are committed to enhancing the liveability of our communities every day.

Your Opportunity

Are you a people-focused leader with a strong scientific background and a passion for building high-performing teams? 

Urban Utilities is seeking an experienced Scientific Analytical Services Manager to lead our laboratory and scientific services operations in our Trade Partnering team, that forms part of our Customer & Innovation Group. 

The Customer and Innovation group leads and champions the way Urban Utilities connects with its customers. Our approach is focused on remaining contemporary, by understanding the current and future needs of our customers and appropriately shaping our services.

Reporting to the Head of Trade Partnering, the Scientific Analytical Services Manager  leads a multidisciplinary team responsible for delivering high-quality scientific and analytical services that support Urban Utilities' water, wastewater and environmental operations.

While a strong understanding of scientific environments is important, this role is primarily focused on people leadership, operational excellence, change management and stakeholder engagement. You will be responsible for creating a culture where people thrive, performance is optimised, and the team is equipped to meet current and future business needs. 

You can learn more about our NATA accredited Laboratory here - https://saslaboratory.com.au/

Some of your accountabilities will include:

• Lead and develop a high-performing Scientific Services team, fostering a culture of safety, collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement and employee engagement.

• Deliver safe, efficient and customer-focused laboratory and scientific services, ensuring compliance with quality, accreditation and regulatory requirements.

• Drive operational performance and business improvement, identifying opportunities to enhance service delivery, productivity, capability and customer outcomes.

• Lead strategic change and contribute to the future direction of Scientific Services, supporting innovation, transformation and long-term business objectives.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, stakeholders and industry partners, providing trusted advice and fostering collaboration to achieve shared outcomes.

• Manage business performance, governance and financial outcomes, including planning, budgeting, risk management, compliance and the effective use of resources to deliver organisational priorities.

About You

We are seeking candidates who are passionate about shaping our future, and ideally have the following qualifications, skills and experiences:

• Tertiary qualifications in Science, Environmental Science, Chemistry, Microbiology or a related discipline, or significant relevant industry experience. Experience leading a technical or operational function within a commercial or regulated environment is highly regarded.

• An experienced people leader with the ability to lead, coach and develop high-performing teams, build capability, drive engagement and create a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.

• A strategic and commercially minded thinker with the ability to identify opportunities, manage risk, solve complex problems and contribute to long-term business planning and organisational success.

• Builds strong relationships and communicates effectively with customers, regulators, industry partners and colleagues.

• Has experience leading change, improving business performance and delivering better outcomes for customers.

• Able to meet the operational requirements of the role, including working in an environment with exposure to raw wastewater (with immunisation requirements in accordance with Urban Utilities' policy) and participating in on-call arrangements, including responding to business needs outside normal working hours when required.

At Urban Utilities, we believe our workforce should reflect the community we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences, including First Nations peoples, people with disability, members of the LGBTIQ+ community, veterans, emergency responders and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

You might not meet every single requirement listed. If you are excited about the role and believe you can make a strong contribution, we encourage you to apply.

If you require adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know so we can support you.

Why Urban Utilities

Urban Utilities delivers essential water and wastewater services to more than 1.5 million people across Southeast Queensland. Every day, our teams work to support thriving communities and a sustainable future.

• Generous Salary Packaging options, including novated leases

• Corporate discounts across Health insurance, technology and more

• 18 weeks of paid parental leave, 15 days personal leave including two proactive wellbeing days, and an additional day of leave each year to connect with friends and family

• Flexibility at UU depends on the type of work you do but could include options such as, 9-day fortnights and flexible days. Talk to us about what flexibility means to you!

• Urban Utilities is an endorsed employer for all women. See our range of benefits and policies directly at WORK180

There’s no us without you. Come shape the future with us.

How to Apply

Click ‘Apply’ to submit your application.

Please note: applicants may be required to undergo a Pre-employment medical, which may include Drug and Alcohol testing, as well as other background checks as part of the recruitment process for this role.

For further information please contact our Talent team at [email protected]

Our Talent team & Hiring Managers kindly request that no unsolicited CVs are sent for this role.