Principal Advisor (Program)

Department of Transport and Main Roads QLD; Mackay Regional; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Transport and Main Roads QLD – Mackay QLD is seeking a Principal Advisor (Program) to support delivery of Queensland's transport infrastructure across Central Queensland. Based in Mackay, you will provide high-level program performance advice, oversee reviews, analyse outcomes, and identify opportunities to improve practices for on-time, on-budget delivery.

As a Principal Advisor, you will work with project managers, senior leaders and stakeholders to ensure investment priorities

Qualifications

• Experience in program, project or business management.
• Strong analytical and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to monitor performance and provide high-level advice.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and report on program and project performance, including financial and delivery outcomes.
• Analyse milestones, project financials and performance indicators to identify risks, trends and opportunities.
• Coordinate and undertake project reviews to assess compliance with established project and program management requirements.
• Provide high-level advice and recommendations to senior leaders on program performance and improvement opportunities.
• Support the development and implementation of business improvement initiatives that strengthen program delivery.
• Prepare and review reports, briefings, submissions and correspondence on behalf of the Director.
• Build productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support successful project outcomes.
• Research emerging trends, issues and opportunities to inform strategic business decisions.

Skills

Program management

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical thinking

Strategic thinking

Job description

Department of Transport and Main Roads QLD – Mackay QLD

Join Transport and Main Roads as a Principal Advisor (Program) and play a key role in supporting the delivery of Queensland's transport infrastructure investment program across Central Queensland. Reporting to the Program Director, you'll provide high-level advice on program performance, oversee project reviews, analyse financial and delivery outcomes, and identify opportunities to improve program management practices.

Working across a diverse portfolio of road and transport projects, you'll collaborate with project managers, senior leaders and stakeholders to ensure investment priorities, milestones and performance targets are achieved. This is an opportunity to apply your strategic thinking, analytical skills and program management expertise while contributing to infrastructure that supports communities, industry and regional growth.

Help deliver infrastructure that connects Queensland.

The transport network is vital to the communities, businesses and industries that keep Central Queensland moving.

As Principal Advisor (Program), you'll play a key role in supporting the planning, monitoring and delivery of major transport infrastructure investments across one of Queensland's largest and most diverse regions.

Based in Mackay and reporting to the Program Director, this role sits within Program Delivery and Operations, Central Queensland Region. You'll provide strategic advice, oversight and program support to help ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget and aligned to government priorities.

About the role

This is a varied and influential position that combines program management, performance monitoring, stakeholder engagement and continuous improvement.

You will work closely with project and program managers to monitor delivery performance, review project outcomes and provide advice that supports effective decision-making across the region's infrastructure portfolio.

Key responsibilities

In this role, you will:

Monitor and report on program and project performance, including financial and delivery outcomes.

Analyse key milestones, project financials and performance indicators to identify risks, trends and opportunities.

Coordinate and undertake project reviews to assess compliance with established project and program management requirements.

Provide high-level advice and recommendations to senior leaders on program performance and improvement opportunities.

Support the development and implementation of business improvement initiatives that strengthen program delivery.

Prepare and review reports, briefings, submissions and correspondence on behalf of the Director.

Build productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support successful project outcomes.

Research emerging trends, issues and opportunities to inform strategic business decisions.

About you

You are a strategic and analytical professional who enjoys working across complex programs and diverse stakeholder groups. You can synthesise information, identify priorities and communicate insights clearly to support informed decision-making.

You'll bring experience in program, project or business management, along with strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities in a dynamic environment.

This is an opportunity to contribute to the delivery of Queensland's Transport and Roads Investment Program across a region spanning coastal communities, regional centres and remote areas.

We offer:

Meaningful work that delivers lasting benefits to Queensland communities.

Exposure to large and diverse infrastructure programs.

Opportunities to influence strategic decisions and business improvements.

A supportive and collaborative team environment.

Flexible full-time employment conditions.

Career development, mentoring and professional growth opportunities.

Competitive salary, superannuation and leave benefits.

Applications to remain current for 12 months.
Job Ad Reference: QLD/700296/26
Closing Date: Monday, 21 September 2026