Construction Manager - Communications

AusNet; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

AusNet is seeking a senior role to lead the construction and commissioning of its distribution operational communications infrastructure across stations and lines. You will coordinate project teams, OT Communications and stakeholders to ensure safe delivery, testing, and handover to operations.

With strong experience in ESI environments, ECIs and contractor handovers, you will drive constructability input, site inspections, and documentation to meet design specifications and regulatory standards

Qualifications

• Experience in energy infrastructure (ESI) environments and with Early Contractor Involvement (ECI).
• Understanding of civil construction methods, site logistics and contractor coordination.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings and provide input during design/tender phases.
• Experience with ITPs, variation assessments, and asset handover documentation.
• Familiarity with environmental, safety and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead construction projects from planning through handover, ensuring alignment with business cases and operational readiness.
• Provide input during design and tender phases to optimise constructability and timelines.
• Conduct site inspections and ensure compliance with safety and access protocols.
• Manage governance, quality, and documentation for final asset handover.
• Coordinate with delivery partners, ISPs and project teams on scope changes and RFI processes.

Skills

ESI environment

ECI experience

Contractor handovers

Civil knowledge

Construction methodologies

Site logistics

Stakeholder coordination

Technical drawings interpretation

ITPs

Asset handover

Tools

Enablon

Job description

Through purpose and people – not just through the infrastructure we operate, but through the way we show up for each other, our customers and our communities. The future of energy is in our hands. Let’s shape it together.

Are you ready to make your impact?

Lead the construction and commissioning of AusNet’s distribution operational communications infrastructure, supporting both station and line projects across the network.

You’ll oversee the delivery of telecommunications, SCADA communications, fibre optic networks, operational technology communications systems and associated communications infrastructure, ensuring seamless integration with the broader electricity network.

Acting as the key interface between project teams, OT Communications and operational stakeholders, you'll ensure communications assets are safely delivered, tested, commissioned and ready to support critical network operations.

What you’ll be doing in this role:

• Project Oversight & Delivery: Lead construction projects from planning through handover, ensuring alignment with business cases, network outcomes, and operational readiness.
• Design & Constructability Input: Provide technical input during design and tender phases to optimise constructability, timelines, and maintainability.
• Site Management & Inspections: Conduct preconstruction reviews, monitor site activities, and ensure compliance with access, security, and operational protocols.
• Safety Leadership: Implement and audit site safety plans, support incident investigations, and ensure delivery partner adherence to Work Safe, SDM, and AusNet HSE&Q standards.
• Quality Assurance: Oversee construction quality, verify free-issue materials, and ensure works meet design specifications and Station Design Manual requirements.
• Environmental & Cultural Compliance: Monitor environmental impacts, cultural heritage considerations, and ensure issues are documented in systems like Enablon.
• Stakeholder & Partner Coordination: Collaborate with delivery partners, ISPs, and Project Managers on scope changes, RFIs, ECI processes, and practical completion.
• Documentation & Data Integrity: Ensure accurate project documentation including as-builts, ITPs, and variation records, supporting final asset handover.
• Site Closure & Restoration: Confirm site clean-up meets original or design-specified conditions, and that all punch list items are resolved before handover.
• Governance & Professional Conduct: Act in accordance with AusNet Services policies, standards, and regulatory obligations, performing any additional duties as required.
• Key interface between Project teams and OT comms and RSG
• Oversee construction and commissioning of all Communications works within stations and lines.

You don’t need to check every box, however we’re looking for a good combination of:

• Ideally 10+ of years of experience within ESI environment with Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) and Principal Contractor handovers in Distribution Secondary Construction.
• Civil knowledge.
• Strong understanding of construction methodologies, site logistics, and contractor / delivery partner coordination.
• Proven ability to interpret technical drawings and provide technical input during design and tender phases to improve constructability, timelines, and maintainability.
• Skilled in inspection processes, ITPs, and ensuring materials/construction meet design specs.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and plan. Proficient in preparing site reports, variation assessments, RFIs, and asset handover documentation for project close out.
• Committed to the safety of the community, as a whole and employees engaged in the provision of services. Knowledge of Work Safe regulations, SDM standards, and HSE&Q frameworks.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills to manage delivery partners, ISPs, and internal teams. Ability to manage to deadlines and escalated issues where required

The AusNet experience is all about…

• Growing your impact: We’ll support you to build your career through real opportunities, meaningful work and strong connections.
• Solving some of the most complex energy challenges of our time: We love unpacking complex challenges in clever ways and looking at things differently.
• Building an energy future to be proud of: We’re a trusted leader, with deep expertise, driven to do what’s right for our communities and customers.

We’re committed to building an inclusive culture and a diverse workforce. We believe different perspectives are essential to our success, and we encourage all applicants to apply. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, we’re happy to discuss how we can support you.