Associate Director - Project Controls | Defence & Infrastructure

Turner & Townsend; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced professional to oversee and manage all project services functions, including cost control, scheduling, risk management and reporting, across major programmes in Australia. You will act as the key interface among client teams and consultants, ensuring alignment with project goals.

You will work under senior guidance to support submissions, budgeting and financial management, while leading a team of project services professionals and driving process

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, project management, business administration, or a related field.
• 5–10 years of experience in project controls or project management.
• Experience managing project services on large, complex projects.
• Strong knowledge of project management methodologies and best practices.
• Proficiency with Primavera and MS Project.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Leadership and team management abilities.
• Excellent written and spoken English.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and drive the strategic, operational and technical diagnosis of client needs.
• Support client’s organisation and senior management to deliver major projects effectively.
• Assist in submissions, fee bidding, budgeting and business planning.
• Develop and implement project controls processes and tools.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting and variance analysis.
• Lead scheduling activities and track milestones.
• Conduct risk assessments and implement risk strategies.
• Prepare and present periodic project performance reports.
• Collaborate with project managers, finance and procurement to align objectives.
• Monitor resources and drive efficient utilization.
• Lead and mentor project services professionals.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical skills

Communication

PMP/ CCP preferred

Citizenship eligibility

Education

Engineering/PM/Business Admin degree

Tools

Primavera

MS Project

Job description

Job Description

Turner & Townsend is a global professional services company with over 22,000 people in more than 60 countries.

Working with our clients across real estate, infrastructure, defence, energy and natural resources, we transform together delivering outcomes that improve people’s lives. Working in partnership makes it possible to deliver the world’s most impactful projects and programmes as we turn challenge into opportunity and complexity into success.

Our capabilities include programme, project, cost, asset and commercial management, controls and performance, procurement and supply chain, net zero and digital solutions.

We are majority-owned by CBRE Group, Inc., the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, with our partners holding a significant minority interest. Turner & Townsend and CBRE work together to provide clients with the premier programme, project and cost management offering in markets around the world.

Please visit our website: www.turnerandtownsend.com

Main job purpose

• Oversee and manage all project services functions, including cost control, scheduling, risk management, and project reporting.
• Ensure the effective integration of project controls processes to support successful project delivery.
• Act as the primary point of contact for project services, coordinating between various departments to ensure alignment with project goals.
• Interfacing with the client and other consultants at all project stages.

Responsibilities

• Provide and drive the direction of the strategic, operational and technical diagnosis of the client needs.
• Support client’s organisation and senior management in improving their capacity to develop and deliver major projects and programs efficiently and effectively.
• Under the direction of the manager, contribute to the business success of the organisation by assisting in the areas of submissions, fee bidding, and financial management and reporting, budgeting, and business planning.
• Manage the development and implementation of project controls processes and tools.
• Oversee project cost management, including budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis.
• Lead project scheduling activities, ensuring timelines are met and milestones are tracked.
• Conduct risk assessments and implement risk management strategies.
• Prepare and present regular project performance reports to senior management.
• Collaborate with project managers, finance, procurement, and other stakeholders to ensure alignment on project objectives.
• Monitor and control project resources, ensuring efficient allocation and utilization.
• Drive continuous improvement in project services processes and tools.
• Mentor and lead a team of project services professionals, providing guidance and development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, project management, business administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5-10 years of experience in project controls, project management, or related roles.
• Proven experience in managing project services functions across large, complex projects.
• Strong understanding of project management methodologies and best practices.
• Proficiency in project management software and tools (e.g., Primavera, MS Project).
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams.
• Professional certification in project management or related field (e.g., PMP, CCP) is preferred.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work with staff at all levels
• Excellent verbal and written English with excellent report writing skills.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to multitask.
• Strong time management skills, quick thinking and resilience to deal with a fast paced environment.
• Must be an Australian Citizen and able to obtain AGSVA NV1 or a British Citizen with current UKSV to be eligible for this role

Additional Information

Our inspired people share our vision and mission. We provide a great place to work, where each person has the opportunity and voice to affect change. We want our people to succeed both in work and life. To support this we promote a healthy, productive and flexible working environment that respects work-life balance.

Turner & Townsend is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and actively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.

Turner & Townsend does not accept any speculative or unsolicited CV’s that have been sent to our internal recruitment team or hiring managers from agencies outside of our preferred supplier list. Any speculative or unsolicited CV’s will be treated as a direct application.

It is strictly against Turner & Townsend policy for candidates to pay any fee in relation to our recruitment process. No recruitment agency working with Turner & Townsend will ask candidates to pay a fee at any time.

Please find out more about us at www.turnerandtownsend.com/

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It is strictly against Turner & Townsend policy for candidates to pay any fee in relation to our recruitment process. No recruitment agency working with Turner & Townsend will ask candidates to pay a fee at any time.

Any unsolicited resumes/CVs submitted through our website or to Turner & Townsend personal e-mail accounts, are considered property of Turner & Townsend and are not subject to payment of agency fees. In order to be an authorised Recruitment Agency/Search Firm for Turner & Townsend, there must be a formal written agreement in place and the agency must be invited, by the Recruitment Team, to submit candidates for review.