Oceania Ports Practice Director: Lead Waterfront Growth

Moffatt & Nichol; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Moffatt & Nichol is seeking a Ports Practice Director to lead our Ports & Maritime business across Oceania, with influence across Southeast Asia. The role is based in Sydney or Brisbane, driving strategy, market development and project excellence to deliver client satisfaction and market leadership.

The ideal candidate has 20+ years in ports and waterfront engineering, Chartered Engineer status, and a proven track record in business development and major project delivery.

Qualifications

• Chartered Engineer (CPEng or equivalent); Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ)
• Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering (or equivalent)
• Minimum of 20 years’ experience in ports, coastal, and waterfront engineering
• Demonstrated leadership in the delivery of complex, multidisciplinary infrastructure projects
• Proven success in business development and client relationship management
• Experience in container terminals, general/bulk cargo terminals, naval/defence infrastructure, and/or offshore wind
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Australian citizenship or permanent residency preferred
• All new hires will be required to successfully complete and pass a pre-employment (post offer) background check in compliance with NIST 800-171

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic expansion of the Ports practice across Oceania and the broader region.
• Develop and execute growth strategies aligned with regional and global priorities.
• Represent Moffatt & Nichol as the principal authority for ports in the region, providing thought leadership and insights on market trends and opportunities.
• Collaborate across borders to align regional strategies with global business objectives.
• Act as the senior point of contact for key clients, serving as Project Director on complex, high-profile engagements.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with public and private sector stakeholders.
• Drive business development, proposal leadership, and bid strategy for strategic pursuits.
• Manage the sales pipeline and ensure revenue and margin targets are achieved.
• Guide technical direction and oversee implementation of engineering methodologies and standards.
• Ensure excellence in technical delivery, contract compliance, and client satisfaction.
• Participate in major project reviews, contributing strategic input and innovation.
• Uphold quality assurance standards and drive continuous improvement.
• Lead and grow the regional Ports team, providing direction, mentorship, and performance leadership.
• Support recruitment, workforce planning, and succession strategies.
• Promote a collaborative, high-performance culture aligned with company values.
• Foster engagement, career development, and retention within the team.
• Manage the business unit’s financial performance—including revenue, profitability, and operational efficiency.
• Monitor key performance indicators and oversee delivery of commercial targets.
• Ensure compliance with corporate procedures, governance, and reporting requirements.
• Optimise project resources, budgets, and working capital.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Business development

Client relationship management

Strategic thinking

Education

Chartered Engineer (CPEng) / RPEQ

Bachelor's degree in Civil or Structural Engineering

Job description

Moffatt & Nichol is seeking a Ports Practice Director to lead our Ports & Maritime business across Oceania, with influence across Southeast Asia. The role is based in Sydney or Brisbane, driving strategy, market development and project excellence to deliver client satisfaction and market leadership.

The ideal candidate has 20+ years in ports and waterfront engineering, Chartered Engineer status, and a proven track record in business development and major project delivery.