Principal - Water & Wastewater (Construction)

Construction Delivery | Contract Administration | Commercial Leadership | Team Growth

You have already proven that you can deliver complex water infrastructure projects. This role asks a bigger question: can you lead the commercial, contractual and people outcomes that determine whether those projects truly succeed?

Our client is seeking a Principal who can take ownership through the construction phase, act as a trusted adviser to clients and contractors, and strengthen the capability of the wider water and wastewater team.

The Opportunity

You will lead internal and project delivery teams across complex trunk water and wastewater infrastructure for land development, local government and water utility clients. The position combines senior project leadership with construction administration, commercial decision-making, client development and team growth.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Lead the construction delivery and administration of complex water and wastewater infrastructure projects.
• Act as Superintendent or Superintendent's Representative under standard Australian contracts, including AS 2124, AS 4000, AS 4902 and AS 4300 series contracts.
• Assess extensions of time, latent conditions, delay and disruption costs, payment claims, variations and scope changes.
• Provide clear, impartial contractual determinations and executive-level recommendations to clients and councils.
• Oversee site inspections, quality assurance, defect close-out, practical completion, defects liability periods and final asset handover.
• Lead the preparation of tender packages, technical specifications and commercial schedules.
• Chair tender evaluation panels and produce defensible, audit-ready evaluation reports and award recommendations.
• Identify and resolve technical, contractual and commercial issues during construction.
• Build strategic client relationships, generate new project opportunities and support sustainable team growth.
• Coach, mentor and develop team members while supporting succession planning, recruitment and retention.
• Manage project risk, resourcing, financial performance and delivery standards across disciplines and offices.

What We're Looking For

Mandatory experience and capability:

• Proven leadership of water and wastewater infrastructure projects through the construction phase.
• Strong construction administration experience under standard Australian contracts.
• Demonstrated ability to assess complex contractor claims and negotiate fair, defensible commercial outcomes.
• Experience leading high-probity competitive tenders, tender evaluations and executive recommendations.
• Strong site inspection, quality assurance, defect management and asset handover capability.
• The technical standing and competency required to support appropriate construction-phase certification.
• Demonstrated people leadership, coaching and team development experience.
• Strong commercial acumen, risk management, budgeting and business planning capability.
• A track record of trusted client management, successful project delivery and winning work from new and existing clients.
• The ability to interpret complex technical information and communicate it clearly to clients, contractors and regulatory stakeholders.

Technical Experience

• Water and wastewater pipelines, pump stations and associated civil and mechanical infrastructure.
• Construction drawings, technical specifications, constructability reviews and tender documentation.
• Relevant water industry codes, construction standards and utility requirements.
• Security of payment legislation and the assessment of payment claims.
• Practical completion, defects liability, commissioning and final asset transfer processes.

Desirable Experience

• Established relationships across local government, water utilities, contractors or land development clients.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams across multiple offices.
• A visible industry profile developed through networking, client engagement or thought leadership.

Why This Role Stands Out

• Influence major water and wastewater projects from tender through construction and handover.
• Operate as a senior technical, contractual and commercial authority, not simply a project delivery resource.
• Shape team capability, succession and growth while mentoring the next generation of leaders.
• Build long-term client advocacy and contribute directly to the direction and performance of the business unit.
• Work across complex municipal, utility and land development infrastructure programs.

How to Apply

If you are ready to take ownership of construction outcomes, commercial decisions and team growth, submit your application or speak confidentially with James Foden at Telos Co. Applications will be reviewed as they are received.