Chief Rail Planner

State Government of Victoria, Australia; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

State Government of Victoria, Australia is seeking a Chief Rail Planner based in Melbourne CBD to lead strategic planning for Victoria’s passenger and freight rail network. The role requires strong leadership, stakeholder engagement and deep expertise in timetable modelling, service integration and rail systems.

You will manage a team across rail planning, timetable development and modelling, reporting to the Executive Director, Transport Planning. A fixed-term, 5-year executive contract applies.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years’ experience leading in a rail planning or operations setting, with at least half of that in a senior leadership role (mandatory).
• Knowledge of Government processes including Cabinet and Budget submissions (mandatory).

Responsibilities

• Develops long-term, multi-phased plans and implements complex strategies to build buy-in from key stakeholders, negotiating to achieve desired outcomes.
• Uses strategic relationships and knowledge to predict and prepare for the impact of events on the organisation, holding self and organisation accountable to public sector values.
• Considers a broad range of topics beyond the immediate area of work, working across government and at senior levels to develop and deliver sustainable solutions.
• Aligns community needs, service delivery model and talent availability against workforce strategy, championing strategic workforce planning.
• Stays up to date with community needs and formulates strategies aligned to them, removing barriers that prevent the achievement of outcomes.

Skills

Rail planning leadership

Strategic planning

Timetable modelling

Stakeholder engagement

Government processes

Team leadership

Job description

Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs

Reference: 12805

About the role

This is a fixed term, 5 year senior executive contract.

Reporting to the Executive Director, Transport Planning, and based in Melbourne CBD, the Chief Rail Planner is a senior leadership position with accountability for the development of Victoria’s passenger and freight rail network. The role works with other transport planning leaders and stakeholders including Metro Trains, V/Line and VIDA to ensure the rail network is planned in a robust way and can support Victoria’s future population and economic growth in accordance with obligations under the Transport Integration Act.

The Chief Rail Planner leads a team across rail strategic planning, configuration management, network development, timetable development and timetable modelling. The role brings a strong track record in the development of a mass transit mixed-use rail network, deep expertise across medium and longer-range strategic rail network planning, timetable development and modelling, service integration, and rail systems, and communicates complex rail issues with credibility to Ministers and the broader Government to help shape decision-making, policy and investment settings.

• Develops long-term, multi-phased plans and implements complex strategies to build buy-in from key stakeholders, negotiating to achieve desired outcomes.
• Uses strategic relationships and knowledge to predict and prepare for the impact of events on the organisation, holding self and organisation accountable to public sector values.
• Considers a broad range of topics beyond the immediate area of work, working across government and at senior levels to develop and deliver sustainable solutions.
• Aligns community needs, service delivery model and talent availability against workforce strategy, championing strategic workforce planning.
• Stays up to date with community needs and formulates strategies aligned to them, removing barriers that prevent the achievement of outcomes.

Qualifications and experience

You’ll bring:

• At least 10 years’ experience leading in a rail planning or operations setting, with at least half of that in a senior leadership role (mandatory).
• Knowledge of Government processes including Cabinet and Budget submissions (mandatory).

Pre-employment checks and employment conditions

Relevant pre-employment screening and reference checks will be required.

Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa necessary for the nature of the position.

Recipients of Victorian Public Service (VPS) voluntary departure packages should note that re-employment restrictions apply.

Applications close at 11.59pm on Friday, 16th October 2026.

For further information about the role, please contact Stuart Johns, at [e-mail].

If you require any adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process or need the advert or attachments in an accessible format (e.g., large print), please contact us. We’re here to support you.

Applications close Friday 16 October 2026 at 11.59pm