Director of Cost Planning

Redpath Partners; Parramatta; On-site; AUD 230,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

Redpath Partners is recruiting on behalf of Sydney Water for a Cost Planning Director role within the Infrastructure Delivery division. This senior leader will shape enterprise-wide cost planning and drive data-led cost management across the asset lifecycle, from concept through delivery and benefits realization.

The role requires extensive experience in infrastructure or major projects, proven leadership in cost planning or estimating, and the ability to influence senior stakeholders to deliver

Qualifications

• 15+ years’ experience in infrastructure or major projects.
• Proven leadership in cost planning or estimating.
• Experience preparing business cases and investment submissions.
• Knowledge of NSW Treasury/Infrastructure NSW frameworks is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead an enterprise-wide cost planning framework.
• Embed cost realism and value-for-money in design and delivery.
• Oversee global rate databases and benchmarking systems.
• Provide independent cost assurance across business cases and reviews.
• Deliver cost performance insights across the capital portfolio.
• Influence design decisions through cost analysis and scenario testing.
• Partner with engineering, procurement, finance, and risk teams.
• Build, lead, and mentor a cost planning team.

Skills

Cost planning

Estimating leadership

Data analytics

Governance

Stakeholder influence

Team leadership

Education

Quantity surveying or engineering degree

Job description

Redpath Partners have been engaged to recruit a Cost Planning Director on behalf of Sydney Water, a key leadership role within their Infrastructure Delivery division.

This is a standout opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping how one of Australia’s largest infrastructure organisations approaches cost, investment, and delivery across a significant capital portfolio.

Cost Planning Director – Sydney Water

Redpath Partners have been engaged to recruit a Cost Planning Director on behalf of Sydney Water, a key leadership role within their Infrastructure Delivery division.

This is a standout opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping how one of Australia’s largest infrastructure organisations approaches cost, investment, and delivery across a significant capital portfolio.

The Opportunity

The Cost Planning Director will lead the development and embedding of an enterprise-wide cost planning and cost intelligence capability. This role is central to driving a shift from traditional estimating toward proactive, data-led cost management across the full asset lifecycle—from concept through to delivery and benefits realisation.

Operating at a strategic level, you will influence major investment decisions, support robust governance outcomes, and ensure value-for-money is achieved across Sydney Water’s infrastructure programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and lead an enterprise-wide cost planning framework that delivers reliable, benchmarked cost intelligence
• Embed cost realism and value-for-money principles into design, procurement, and delivery decision-making
• Oversee the development and ongoing enhancement of global rate databases and benchmarking systems
• Provide independent cost assurance across business cases, Gateway reviews, and Board submissions
• Deliver insights on cost performance across the capital portfolio, identifying trends and opportunities for improvement
• Influence design and scope decisions through proactive cost analysis and scenario testing
• Partner with engineering, program delivery, procurement, finance, and risk teams to align cost outcomes with broader business objectives
• Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing cost planning team

The Candidate

We are seeking a highly experienced cost planning or estimating leader with a strong background in infrastructure or construction.

You will bring:

• 15+ years’ experience across infrastructure or major project environments
• Proven leadership experience within cost planning or estimating.
• Strong track record contributing to business cases, investment submissions, and governance processes
• Expertise in cost benchmarking, data analytics, and performance improvement
• The ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive strategic outcomes
• Tertiary qualifications in quantity surveying, engineering, or a related discipline

Experience within regulated or public-sector environments, and familiarity with NSW Treasury or Infrastructure NSW frameworks, will be advantageous.

Why Apply

This role offers the opportunity to:

• Shape and lead a critical capability within a major infrastructure organisation
• Influence large-scale capital investment decisions
• Drive improved cost performance and value-for-money outcomes
• Work within a collaborative, forward-thinking environment focused on sustainability and long-term impact

Please note - This role is being exclusively managed by Redpath Partners and any third party CV's will be redirected to Redpath to manage.