Lead Facilities Engineer - Containment Labs & AIID

University of Melbourne; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

17% superannuation

Salary packaging

Health and wellbeing programs

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

The University of Melbourne invites applications for the role of Facilities Specialist Lead at the Peter Doherty Institute. You will lead the Doherty Engineering Group, overseeing complex building services, safeguarding high-containment laboratories, and shaping future systems for the AIID facility.

You will drive safety, compliance, and continuous improvement while managing budgets, assets, and contractor relations within a large, multi-building environment.

Qualifications

• Degree in engineering or equivalent with facilities management experience.
• Experience leading large, technically complex facilities teams.
• Strong project and contractor management; risk assessment skills.
• Broad technical aptitude across mechanical, electrical, lab services, and control systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Doherty Engineering Group and support bio-research professionals.
• Coordinate facilities management, maintenance, and engineering activities.
• Identify infrastructure risks and ensure safety, compliance, and continuity.
• Oversee asset monitoring, replacement planning, and budgets.
• Manage consultants and leases, represent COD in committees.

Skills

Facilities management

Project management

Contractor management

Risk assessment

Building systems knowledge

Communication skills

Education

Engineering degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Digital control systems

Information management tools

Job description

Facilities Specialist Lead, Peter Doherty Institute

• Influential facilities management leadership in world-class infectious disease institute / safeguard complex containment facilities / expanding remit including AIID
• Apply now to lead critical facilities that enable cutting-edge infectious disease research and care.
• Investing in you - 17% superannuation, benefits package including salary packaging, health and wellbeing programs, discounted services, and professional development opportunities.

The University of Melbourne
We take pride in our people, who all contribute to our mission to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research. Discover more via our website.

Your next career opportunity:
In this role, you will lead the Doherty Engineering Group supporting a world-class infectious diseases institute.
You will oversee complex building services, safeguard high-containment laboratories and shape systems for the future AIID facility.

What you will deliver:

• Lead and develop the Doherty Engineering Group, fostering collaboration and high-quality support for diverse bio-research professionals.
• Coordinate facilities management, maintenance and engineering activities to support Joint Venture objectives and Institute teaching and research.
• Identify and mitigate infrastructure risks, ensuring safety, compliance, business continuity and accurate engineering documentation.
• Manage asset monitoring systems, long-term replacement planning and annual operational budgets for building services and equipment.
• Oversee consultants, contractors and lease obligations, representing COD in key committees and driving continuous operational improvement.

You may be a great fit if you:

• Hold a degree in engineering or equivalent experience and technical aptitude in facilities management within in a complex building environment.
• Lead and contribute to an operationally focussed facilities teams within large, technically complex buildings, ideally health, hospital or laboratory settings.
• Apply strong project and contractor management skills, including risk assessment and root cause analysis.
• Demonstrate broad technical aptitude across mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and laboratory engineering services and control systems.
• Use digital control systems and information management tools confidently to monitor, document and improve building performance.
• Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills with a demonstrated ability to engage with a range of building stakeholders.
• Manage operational budgets and financial reporting, including building outgoings and cost-saving opportunities.

What we offer you!
We offer the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community and enjoy a comprehensive range of benefits to support your success and sense of fulfilment, including:

• Build future financial security with 17% superannuation
• Supportive flexible work arrangements underpinned by our commitment to inclusion and well-being
• Career development opportunities, including access to a range of tailored programs, such as Academic Women in Leadership, and learning platforms including LinkedIn Learning
• Progressive, considerate leave provisions to empower your work-life balance and well-being, including leading parental leave, gender affirmation leave and cultural leave
• Salary packaging and access to a range of discounted services including Bupa health insurance, and access to unique cultural and recreational benefits such as discounts for the Melbourne Theatre Company
• Health and well-being services including a leading Employee Assistance Program

For more information check out our benefits page!

Your new team:
Campus Operations & Delivery sits within the Enterprise Services Group, supporting over 600 buildings across the University.
At the Peter Doherty Institute, you will join a specialised facilities team enabling infectious disease research and care.
You will collaborate with University and health partners, shaping high-containment infrastructure and future operations for the AIID facility.

Be Yourself
The University of Melbourne is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a child-safe organisation. The diversity of our community enriches us all, and we are committed to creating an inclusive and fair workplace where everyone is valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Discover more about Diversity and Inclusion at UniMelb.

We're committed to a barrier-free recruitment process and ongoing workplace support, providing adjustments throughout. We warmly encourage applications from people with disabilities. Learn more about how we support an accessible recruitment process.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants
We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians. Visit our Indigenous staff page to learn more about our investment and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.

Indigenous applicants are encouraged to connect with our Indigenous Employment & Development team at ***********@unimelb.edu.au

• Visit "apply with us" to learn more about the process, including tips and FAQs.
• You must have current valid work rights for Australia. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.
• A Working with Children Check is required for all positions. If successful, we will guide you through the process and reimburse you.
• Please upload your resume and a cover letter outlining your interest and experience as part of the application process.

Want to know more?

• For queries related to this specific position, contact Brian Cullen at ********@unimelb.edu.au
• For questions related to our recruitment process email Alessandro Storani at ***************@unimelb.edu.au
• For recruitment adjustments contact Kim Groizard on [phone] or at **********@unimelb.edu.au (subject: 'Recruitment Adjustments').

Apply today and join a community that's shaping the future.

Position Description: PD_JR-017797 Facilities Specialist Lead - Peter Doherty Institute.docx
PD_JR-017797 Facilities Specialist Lead - Peter Doherty Institute.pdf

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