Portfolio Manager Internal Audit

Who we are

In Melbourne, water is essential to our way of life.

As caretakers for Melbourne’s water cycle, and our catchments. We care for water, life, and land throughout Melbourne: both its people and its biodiversity.

Each time you drink from the tap, flush a toilet, or kayak down the Yarra we’re there. Primed and ready, quietly delivering some of the world’s cleanest water for over five million residents and wildlife that call Melbourne home, just as we have for over 130 years.

About the Role

As Portfolio Manager Internal Audit, you will play a key leadership role within Melbourne Water’s Risk & Internal Audit function, reporting directly to the Chief Risk & Internal Audit Officer.  You will lead the delivery of a dynamic, risk-based internal audit program across the enterprise, working closely with senior leaders, internal stakeholders, Board Committees and co-sourced audit partners, you will provide objective assurance on the effectiveness of controls, strengthen governance and drive continuous improvement across the organisation.

This is a high-impact role for an experienced internal audit professional who can lead concurrent audit engagements end to end,from annual planning, scoping and fieldwork through to reporting, stakeholder engagement and action tracking.    As a trusted advisor to senior management, you will regularly engage with Senior Leaders and attend Audit Committee meetings (as required), supporting the presentation of audit outcomes, emerging risks and assurance insights as required.

You will also lead, coach and support internal audit team members while managing relationships with external service providers to ensure consistent, high-quality and value-adding audit outcomes.

• Lead and program-manage a portfolio of concurrent internal audits within agreed budgets, timeframes and quality expectations.
• Lead the development and ongoing refresh of Melbourne Water's annual and dynamic risk-based Internal Audit Plan, in collaboration with stakeholders and co-sourced service provider
• Manage relationships and performance of co-sourced and external service providers, ensuring delivery of high-quality, value-adding audit outcomes.
• Provide strategic oversight and technical guidance throughout the audit lifecycle, including planning, scoping, fieldwork, reporting and stakeholder engagement.
• Review, challenge and enhance audit methodologies, workpapers, findings and reports to ensure consistency, quality and alignment with Internal Audit Standards.
• Attend and support Audit & Risk Committee meetings and other governance forums as required, assisting with the communication of audit outcomes, emerging themes and strategic assurance matters
• Partner with the Chief Risk & Internal Audit Officer to contribute on Board and Executive Committee reporting/presenting.
• Build productive relationships with Executive leaders and senior stakeholders, providing trusted advice and assurance insights across a broad range of business functions.
• Personally lead and deliver selected audit engagements, undertaking planning, fieldwork, analysis, stakeholder interviews and reporting as required.
• Monitor management action plans and support the ongoing improvement of governance, risk management and control frameworks across Melbourne Water.

For more information, please refer to the attached Role_Mandate

Success in this role will rely on your ability to build trusted relationships, influence at senior levels and promote the value of internal audit as a partner in strengthening risk management, performance and accountability.

About you:

You will bring sound judgement, technical audit expertise and the ability to communicate complex or sensitive findings in a calm, constructive and solutions-focused way.

• Strong stakeholder management skills, particularly when managing sensitive or challenging audit findings.
• Ability to remain calm, balanced and constructive when stakeholders are resistant or defensive.
• Experience managing third-party or co-source audit providers.
• High level of professional judgement, communication capability and relationship-building skills.
• Tertiary Qualification in Finance, Business or related discipline.
• Relevant internal audit qualifications, namely Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and/or Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
• Significant experience in the development and implementation of a strategic, risk-based internal audit program
• Experience operating at a senior manager level or equivalent, with confidence to engage across an enterprise environment
• Demonstrated experience leading audit delivery teams, and ability to delivery independent assurance utilising internal audit methodologies, techniques and strategic reporting.

Why join us:

At Melbourne Water, we care deeply about water and the life it sustains.

Our team is inspired by passion and purpose, with an unwavering commitment to safety. We are on a mission to protect every Melburnian’s way of life, one drop at a time.

We don’t just talk about flexible working - we live it. Our culture of purpose, safety, results, and learning flows through everything we do. We're dedicated to doing what's right, and this commitment extends to the meaningful work we do in a supportive and inclusive culture that encourages you to make the most of your talents.

Our long-standing commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging means that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTIQ+ individuals, Neurodivergent Individuals, people living with disability, mature age and young jobseekers from all cultures can apply with confidence knowing they are safe, affirmed, and celebrated.

If you’re curious, action-orientated, outcomes-focused, and enthusiastic about public resources, community, and the environment, we'd love to receive your application and learn if you could be a great fit.

How to Apply

Click the 'Apply Now' button below and complete our online application form.

Closing date: Monday 28th September 2026 @ 11:55pm