About Urban Utilities

Urban Utilities is one of Australia’s largest water distributor-retailers, providing water and wastewater services to more than 1.6 million people across South East Queensland on behalf of its five shareholding councils. Behind that service sits a network of more than 20,000 kilometres of pipes, an asset base of around $7 billion and an employee group of about 1,260 plus a similar size contractor workforce. A well-run and financially disciplined organisation with strongly built relationships with customers, shareholders and industry, Urban Utilities is on the cusp of its most defining decade as the organisation navigates a trilemma of rapid population growth, ageing infrastructure and climate volatility, while continuing to deliver safe and efficient water and wastewater services to South East Queensland communities.

About The CEO Role

Reporting to the Board, the Chief Executive Officer will lead Urban Utilities through this defining period of transformation – evolving Urban Utilities from a responsive, service-focused utility into a truly modern, resilient organisation with a legacy of enabling the growth of South East Queensland. With South East Queensland’s population forecast to grow by one third over the next 20 years and the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games approaching, the organisation is delivering a substantial infrastructure agenda which includes a multi-billion dollar capital program. The CEO plays a pivotal role in leading the executive team and organisation to ensure Urban Utilities is well placed to navigate the challenges and capitalise on the opportunities ahead, shaping and evolving the enterprise strategy to effectively balance the renewal of ageing assets and new infrastructure with affordability and trust. At the same time, the CEO has an important responsibility to maintain the organisation’s credibility and reputation as Urban Utilities’ principal voice with government, regulators, shareholding councils, media and the community.

About The Ideal Candidate

Urban Utilities is seeking an established chief executive, or a proven enterprise leader, with a record of leading large, complex, asset-intensive organisations at scale. Direct water-sector experience is welcome but not essential; greater weight is placed on outstanding leadership, sound commercial and financial judgement (including in regulated, price-set environments) and the credibility to build trusted relationships across government, regulators and a broad stakeholder base. Major capital and infrastructure delivery experience and whole-of-system strategic thinking are important and previous experience driving transformation within a similarly complex environment will be highly regarded. The successful candidate will be decisive and values-driven, with relevant tertiary qualifications; an MBA or similar postgraduate qualification will be well regarded.

Why This Role Matters

Few leadership roles offer the chance to shape something this fundamental: the water security and liveability of one of Australia’s fastest-growing regions for generations to come. For the right leader, this is an opportunity to leave Urban Utilities and the communities it serves, measurably stronger.

This is a Brisbane based role.

Applications

Applications should be submitted via the 'Apply' link and include a cover letter outlining your interest in the role, together with a current CV. Should you wish to discuss the opportunity in confidence prior to applying, you are welcome to contact lead Partner James Lazarus on 07 3232 9127 or at executive@uandu.com, quoting reference “QUU CEO 45491” in the subject line.

Please submit your application by COB 30th June 2026.

At u&u Recruitment Partners, we value diversity, equity and inclusion. We welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and people with disability.

Should you require reasonable adjustments or have a preferred method of communication throughout the recruitment process, we encourage you to make a request via adjustments@uandu.com or contact u&u on 07 3232 9100 to discuss. In response to these requests, we will collaborate closely with you to implement the appropriate adjustments.

Additionally, for a barrier-free and inclusive online experience, you can access u&u’s opportunities using accessibility software Recite Me at https://www.uandu.com/jobs.

Please submit your resume in Word format only.