Principal Project Manager (Contract)

Shire of Douglas; Douglas Shire; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

12% superannuation

5 weeks annual leave

Salary sacrificing options

Health and wellbeing initiatives

Employee Assistance Program

Ongoing training and professional dev.

Active social club

Job summary

Douglas Shire Council is seeking an experienced Principal Project Manager to lead complex infrastructure projects in the Queensland region. You will oversee delivery, guide project managers, and work with internal teams, contractors, consultants and government agencies to ensure projects meet budgets, timelines and quality standards.

The role combines hands-on delivery, team leadership and portfolio governance, contributing to the capital works program and community outcomes across Douglas Shire.

Qualifications

• Initiate, plan, deliver and handover complex projects from initiation through to handover.
• Develop, implement and continually improve project management frameworks, systems and controls.
• Lead, supervise, mentor and develop project delivery staff.
• Demonstrate knowledge in governance, risk, financial management, procurement and contract administration.
• Plan, coordinate and monitor multiple concurrent projects, allocate resources and manage priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects through multiple phases of delivery and provide guidance to project managers and teams.
• Coordinate workloads and monitor project performance to meet budgets, timeframes and quality.
• Manage risks and resolve delivery issues to ensure successful outcomes.
• Develop governance and reporting to support portfolio delivery and accountability.
• Work with stakeholders across internal/external teams, government agencies and the community.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Governance

Risk management

Stakeholder engagement

Resource planning

Team supervision

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business or related discipline

Diploma/Certificate IV in Project Management Practice

Job description

Lead projects. Lead people. Deliver outcomes for one of Queensland’s most remarkable places. Douglas Shire Council is seeking an experienced Principal Project Manager to assist the Manager Infrastructure Planning and Delivery in delivery of Council’s projects, ensuring they are delivered safely, efficiently and in accordance with approved budgets, timeframes and quality requirements. This is a senior project management role combining hands‑on project delivery, team leadership and assisting in managing Council’s project portfolio. You will lead projects through multiple phases of delivery while providing guidance and support to project managers and other team members. As a key member of Council’s infrastructure delivery function, you will help coordinate workloads, monitor project performance, manage risks and resolve delivery issues. You will also support the development of consistent project management practices, strengthen governance and reporting, and ensure projects meet Council’s operational requirements, funding obligations and community expectations. Working closely with Council’s leadership team, internal departments, contractors, consultants, government agencies and the community, you will play an important role in delivering Council’s capital works program and other projects that maintain, renew and improve infrastructure and services across the Douglas Shire. This is an opportunity for an experienced project manager who enjoys leading people, managing delivery challenges and turning plans into practical outcomes for the community.

Why Douglas Shire?

Build something meaningful. Deliver projects that matter. Make a difference in the community you call home. Working at Douglas Shire Council gives you the opportunity to do more than manage projects. You can help deliver real improvements to the roads, infrastructure, facilities and services that people rely on every day, while having a direct influence on the future of the community where you live. The Douglas Shire is an extraordinary place to live and work, stretching from Port Douglas and Mossman to the Daintree and Cape Tribulation, with the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics World Heritage areas on your doorstep.

When you’re not working, you can enjoy:

• World-class beaches and tropical rainforest
• The Great Barrier Reef and incredible outdoor experiences
• Fishing, boating, hiking, swimming and exploring
• The restaurants, cafes and lifestyle of Port Douglas
• A relaxed tropical lifestyle and strong local community

About You

We are looking for an experienced project management professional who combines strong technical and commercial capability with proven leadership skills. You will be confident managing multiple projects, supporting and developing project delivery staff, and taking accountability for project performance and outcomes. You will ideally have:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business or a related discipline; or a Diploma, Certificate IV in Project Management Practice, or an equivalent qualification.
• Demonstrated experience and success in managing complex projects from initiation and planning through to completion and handover.
• Demonstrated experience in developing, implementing and continuously improving project management frameworks, systems, processes and controls.
• Demonstrated experience in leading, supervising, mentoring and developing project delivery staff.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in project management, governance, risk management, financial management, procurement and contract administration.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate and monitor multiple concurrent projects, allocate resources and effectively manage competing priorities and timeframes.
• Well‑developed communication, interpersonal and presentation skills, including the ability to clearly communicate information and establish and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated stakeholder engagement, negotiation and influencing skills, including the ability to work collaboratively with contractors, consultants, government agencies, Council staff and the community to achieve positive outcomes.
• Strong organisational, analytical and problem‑solving skills, including the ability to exercise sound judgement, resolve complex issues and deliver practical outcomes.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a team, provide leadership and direction to project delivery staff, and work independently when required.

What We Offer

• Competitive remuneration with 12% superannuation
• Up to 5 weeks annual leave plus 17.5% leave loading
• Salary sacrificing options may be available
• Health and wellbeing initiatives
• Employee Assistance Program
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Active social club

Pre-Employment Assessment

Following the selection of the preferred candidate, Council will require a number of further checks including reference checks, police history / criminal history checks, medical assessment and drug and alcohol test.

Employment Eligibility

To apply you must be a Permanent resident of Australia, Australian Citizen, New Zealand Citizen or hold the appropriate visa to work in Australia.

Privacy Information

Douglas Shire Council is collecting your personal information in accordance with the Information Privacy Act for the purpose of assessing your skills and experience against the position requirements. The information you provide in your application will only be used by authorised Council Officers, including People and Culture and the relevant selection panel members. Your information will not be given to any other person or agency unless you have given us permission, or we are required by law.