Job DescriptionThe Deputy Program Director supports the Program Director in leading, coordinating, and integrating delivery of a large-scale, complex water or wastewater capital investment program, with a strong focus on program management support services. The role provides day-to-day leadership across defined program components, ensuring alignment of scope, schedule, cost, quality, safety, and regulatory compliance.
Operating as the Program Director's principal deputy, this position plays a central role in translating program strategy into coordinated execution across multiple projects, delivery partners, and stakeholders. The Deputy Program Manager supports governance, decision-making, and performance oversight while contributing deep water and wastewater sector expertise, particularly in advanced treatment, reuse, conveyance, and large-scale infrastructure systems.
The role is suited to a senior leader experienced in multi-jurisdictional, highly regulated environments, where strong integration, controls, and stakeholder coordination are essential to delivery confidence.
Key ResponsibilitiesProgram Leadership & Delivery Support- Support the Program Director in the delivery of a major water or wastewater program, comprising multiple interdependent projects and workstreams.
- Lead assigned projects, technical packages, or functional areas, acting as the primary delivery authority for those elements.
- Provide coordination and integration across project managers, designers, constructors, and support functions as appropriate to ensure consistent and aligned delivery.
- Act as delegate for the Program Director as required, including chairing governance forums and representing the program in senior stakeholder engagements.
- Support the implementation and operation of robust program management frameworks, including planning, scheduling, cost control, risk management, change control, and reporting.
- Oversee program performance monitoring and dashboards, supporting early identification of trends, risks, and opportunities.
- Lead or support program-level issue resolution and corrective action planning to sustain delivery confidence.
- Apply strong water and wastewater technical understanding to support informed program decisions across treatment facilities, conveyance systems, pumping infrastructure, and supporting assets.
- Ensure delivery approaches align with regulatory, environmental, safety, and quality requirements typical of large public-sector water programs.
- Support coordinated stakeholder engagement across client teams, delivery partners, regulators, and third parties.
- Lead or support risk, assurance, and compliance activities, including reviews, audits, and readiness assessments.
- Manage interfaces between multiple agencies, jurisdictions, and contractors within a complex delivery environment.
- Support commercial oversight, including cost forecasting, change management, supplier performance, and contract compliance.
- Lead, coach, and mentor project and program team members, supporting development of future delivery leaders.
- Promote best practices, innovation, digital tools, and continuous improvement across the program management function.
- Contribute lessons learned and knowledge sharing to strengthen organizational water sector delivery capability.
QualificationsMinimum Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in engineering (civil, mechanical, process, or electrical), project management, or a related discipline and 10+ years' experience, including 2 years of leadership experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education.
Preferred Experience- Experience supporting or deputising for a Program Director on major water or wastewater capital programs.
- Familiarity with advanced water treatment, water reuse, wastewater purification, or large-scale conveyance systems.
- Strong experience with program controls, governance, assurance, and executive reporting.
- Proven ability to integrate multidisciplinary teams across design, construction, and commissioning.
- Experience delivering programs in environmentally sensitive or climate-resilience-driven contexts.
- Demonstrated experience working within a program management context, either as Program Manager, Deputy or in a lead program delivery role.
- Experience operating in complex, regulated, multi-stakeholder public infrastructure settings.
- Professional certification (PMP, PgMP, or equivalent) preferred.
Additional Information- Sponsorship is not available for this position
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