Associate, Program Performance

Aurecon Group; Darwin; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Aurecon Group in Darwin seeks an Associate Director / Senior Project Manager to lead major Defence, government and infrastructure programs in the Northern Territory. You’ll drive multi-disciplinary teams, manage client relationships, and oversee delivery performance from inception to close-out.

You will act as a trusted advisor, shape strategic outcomes, and ensure commercial success across complex capital works projects with CAPEX over $100M.

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, PM, or related field.
• Willing to relocate to Darwin, Australia.
• Ability to obtain AGSVA security clearance.
• Experience delivering Defence, Government and infrastructure projects.
• Capex programs >$100M+ experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead multi-disciplinary project teams on complex infrastructure and built- environment programs.
• Own governance, reporting, and delivery controls across programs valued >$100M.
• Manage client relationships, pursuits and business development activities.
• Coordinate design, procurement, construction and commissioning phases.
• Mentor and develop junior project professionals.

Skills

Project leadership

Contract administration

Risk management

Client relationships

Governance

Mentor juniors

Stakeholder engagement

PM tools

Education

Engineering degree

Construction/PM degree

Architectural degree

Tools

Primavera P6

MS Project

Job description

Job Description Just imagine a future with us... At Aurecon, we are optimistic about the future. We are thinkers, solvers, and collaborators who work with our clients to deliver the infrastructure and assets that strengthen communities and create a sustainable future.

What will you do?

As an Associate Director / Senior Project Manager within Aurecon's Darwin Program Performance Advisory team, you will provide leadership across major Defence, Local Government and infrastructure programs throughout the Northern Territory. Based in Darwin, you will lead project teams, manage key client relationships, oversee commercial and delivery performance, and support the growth of Aurecon's project management business. You will act as a trusted advisor to clients, influence project and program outcomes, and deliver complex capital works projects and portfolios exceeding $100M+ in CAPEX value. The role requires strong project leadership, commercial acumen, contract administration capability and risk management expertise, together with the ability to develop people, support winning work and contribute to Aurecon's long-term success. You will be capable of acting as Project Director on major projects and programs and will lead multidisciplinary teams from project inception through to planning, design, procurement, delivery and close-out.

Client Leadership & Business Development

• Support pursuits, proposals and bid activities, overseeing solutions align with client objectives and market opportunities.
• Influence client decision-making by providing strategic advice on project delivery, governance, procurement and risk management.
• Identify and shape future opportunities that contribute to Aurecon's growth strategy.
• Actively contribute to business development activities, market engagement and client account management.

Project & Program Leadership

• Act as Project Director or Senior Project Manager on complex infrastructure, facilities and building projects.
• Lead multidisciplinary project teams delivering major capital works programs valued in excess of $100M.
• Drive delivery outcomes across scope, cost, schedule, quality and stakeholder expectations.
• Establish project governance frameworks, reporting structures and delivery controls.
• Coordinate multiple projects and workstreams, managing interfaces, dependencies and competing priorities.
• Provide leadership across design, procurement, construction and commissioning activities.

Commercial & Risk Management

• Drive strong commercial performance through effective planning, forecasting, budgeting and resource management.
• Lead contract administration activities, including procurement, negotiations, claims, variations and contractor performance management.
• Manage company and client risk through robust governance, assurance and project control processes.
• Balance project outcomes, commercial objectives and business priorities while maintaining delivery commitments.
• Identify, assess and proactively manage strategic, commercial, project and operational risks.

Leadership & People Development

• Lead and develop team members within the Darwin Program Performance Advisory business.
• Mentor project managers, graduates and emerging leaders to build capability and strengthen delivery performance.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing culture focused on accountability, learning and continuous improvement.
• Align teams across multiple workstreams and disciplines to achieve integrated delivery outcomes.
• Support workforce planning, performance reviews and career development discussions.

Technical Excellence

• Apply project management expertise across infrastructure and vertical building projects.
• Drive quality outcomes through effective project controls, governance and assurance processes.
• Ensure delivery methodologies, systems and standards are consistently implemented across projects and programs.
• Leverage technology, data and reporting tools to improve delivery performance and decision-making.
• Maintain high levels of attention to detail in project documentation, contract administration, commercial management and reporting.
• Oversee projects supporting Project Directors or Program Leaders delivering infrastructure projects from inception to completion.
• Represent client interests through oversight and coordination of project delivery
• Lead and manage multiple concurrent projects and work packages

What you’ll bring?

As an Associate Director / Senior Project Manager, you’ll contribute to projects and programs that make a real difference and be part of a team that embraces challenges, welcomes diverse ideas, and design solutions with people and outcomes in mind.

Essential

• Degree qualification in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, Architecture or a related discipline.
• Located in Darwin or willingness to relocate to Darwin.
• Australian Citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain an AGSVA Security Clearance.
• Demonstrated experience delivering major Defence, Government, Local Government, infrastructure and facilities projects.
• Proven experience managing capital works programs and projects exceeding $100M+ CAPEX.
• Experience across both vertical construction and infrastructure projects.
• Strong project governance, commercial management and contract administration capability.
• Demonstrated experience managing budgets, forecasting, resource planning and financial performance.
• Proven ability to identify, assess and manage project, commercial and organisational risk.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and mentoring junior professionals.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement and client relationship management skills.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality outcomes.
• Strong Design Management expertise.

Highly Desirable

• Experience acting as Project Director, Client Representative or Senior Project Manager for major capital work projects/programs.
• Experience working within Defence, Commonwealth Government, NT Government or Local Government environments.
• Demonstrated experience leading pursuits, bids and business development activities.
• Professional certification such as CPPM, CPPD, PRINCE2, MSP or equivalent.
• Existing AGSVA Security Clearance.

How we support your growth

We believe your career should be a rewarding adventure. You will tackle some of the world’s most complex infrastructure challenges, in an environment that supports your ambitions, where we hold ourselves, and each other, to the highest standards. Recognised by the AFR as a Best Place to Work in 2026, we embrace diverse perspectives, giving you the opportunity to make a real impact.

For recruitment adjustments, contact [e-mail]. Our hiring decisions are made by people, not AI. We’re most interested in your individual thinking and experiences - so please ensure your application reflects your authentic perspective. Our purpose is bringing ideas to life.