Manager Major Projects

City Of Unley; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Unley seeks a hands-on Manager City Projects to lead the delivery of major infrastructure. You will own the portfolio from detailed design through handover, guiding a diverse team and reporting to the General Manager City Infrastructure.

This senior role manages high-profile projects across civil, buildings, open space, and precinct upgrades, with strong contract and financial oversight.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading large infrastructure programs.
• Strong financial and contract management capabilities.
• Stakeholder engagement with elected members and community.
• Degree in engineering, project management, or related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Lead the City Projects portfolio for civil infrastructure, drainage, buildings, open space and assets.
• Manage a dynamic team of project managers and specialists; guide from concept to handover.
• Oversee budget, grants, and reporting to Council; ensure contract compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Construction management

Engineering management

Financial management

Contract management

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Education

Engineering degree

Project management/Construction management/Business administration

Job description

The City of Unley is a vibrant and diverse community in Adelaide’s inner southern suburbs, with a population of 37,901. Known for its leafy streets and heritage architecture, and close to the city centre, Unley is a well-established residential area with a strong sense of civic pride and community engagement.

The City spans 14 square kilometres and is predominantly residential, with pockets of commercial and industrial activity.

Build the projects the Unley community will use for decades.

The City of Unley is creating a new Manager City Projects role. This ensures the continued delivery of high-profile infrastructure projects to a high standard, and it gives project delivery its own dedicated leader. You will own the portfolio from detailed design to handover.

This is a hands-on leadership position. You will guide a diverse and highly capable team, taking direct responsibility for the largest and most complex projects, and report to the General Manager City Infrastructure.

The opportunity

• Lead the City Projects portfolio, covering the delivery of projects and programs for civil infrastructure, drainage, buildings, open space and recreational assets


• Lead a dynamic team of project managers, civil engineering and building specialists, with dedicated administration support


• Take responsibility for the larger, high-profile projects, including business precinct upgrades, major streetscapes, sporting and community facility works


• Manage projects from approved concept through design development and documentation, engineering analysis, tender, contract delivery and handover


• Work with the City Shaping team to assess concept design options, materials and stakeholder needs early


• Manage consultants, contractors and subcontractors, and minimise variations through strong contract management


• Prepare and present quarterly project status reports to Council


• Develop, manage and report on the portfolio budget and grant funding programs, working closely with the Finance team


• Oversee Council’s building maintenance and service contracts


• Be part of the City Infrastructure Leadership Team and Senior Leadership Team

About you

• Proven experience in construction or engineering management, with around 10-years in senior management roles


• Strong technical knowledge that earns the respect of Council, your team, consultants and contractors


• Sound financial and contract management skills, including large budgets and capital programs


• Confidence managing the financial and operational risk of complex, high-profile projects


• Skilled communicator who engages well with Elected Members, community and external stakeholders


• A degree in engineering, project management, construction management, business administration or a related discipline

Local government experience is an advantage, but it is not essential. If you have led major capital infrastructure projects in the private sector or elsewhere and want to apply that experience for a community, we want to hear from you.

What’s on offer

• A 5-year negotiated contract with an attractive package


• A newly created role with clear ownership of the project portfolio


• Infrastructure projects that are visible, valued and well-funded


• A collaborative leadership team and values-driven culture

Applications close at 5:00 pm on Friday 27/11/2026.