Project Controls Leader - South Australia

Laing O'Rourke; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

In-house training programs

Six months paid parental leave

Additional leave options

Volunteering leave

Discounts across retailers

Job summary

Laing O’Rourke in Adelaide is seeking a Project Controls Leader to join our AUKUS team. You will lead planning, scheduling, reporting and forecasting for a major defence infrastructure program in Osborne, SA, ensuring delivery milestones are met.

The role requires extensive project controls experience on large programmes, strong governance, and the ability to collaborate with construction, engineering and client teams. Australian citizenship and NV1 security clearance are required.

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management or related discipline.
• Extensive experience in project controls on major infrastructure/defence/transport.
• Proven ability to lead project controls teams on large programmes.
• Strong knowledge of governance, forecasting, reporting and schedule management.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement at all levels.
• Australian citizenship and ability to obtain NV1-level clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the project controls function across planning, controls, reporting, and forecasting.
• Develop integrated programmes spanning design, procurement, construction, commissioning.
• Monitor performance against baselines; identify risks and opportunities.
• Provide timely insights to senior leadership and client stakeholders.
• Champion digital planning tools and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with construction, engineering and client teams.

Skills

Project Controls

Planning & Scheduling

Forecasting

Earned Value

Risk Management

Stakeholder Management

Leadership

Digital Engineering

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

At the heart of Laing O’Rourke is our commitment to helping our people do their best work and grow meaningful, fulfilling careers. Through exceptional development opportunities, wellbeing support, and employee benefits, we empower our teams to succeed.
We celebrate diversity and welcome applications from First Nations Peoples and candidates from culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Our industry-leading benefits include:

• In-house training programs and on-the-job skill development.
• Industry-leading parental leave giving all employees access to six months paid parental leave at full pay.
• Additional purchased leave options, and access to volunteering leave.
• Exclusive discounts and savings across hundreds of retailers across Australia.
  

Head to our benefits page here - Benefits & Rewards

About the Project

At Laing O’Rourke, you won’t just build projects, you’ll help shape the future. As a $6 billion privately owned global engineering and manufacturing-led construction leader, we deliver some of the nation’s most complex infrastructure, from transport networks to defence and utilities.

Be part of Australia’s largest‑ever defence infrastructure program

Laing O’Rourke, with joint venture partner Amentum Australia,will play a central role in supporting Australian Naval Infrastructure (ANI) to develop and deliver the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Construction Yard (NPSCY) project at Osborne, South Australia.We will provide program and construction management services of nuclear related civil infrastructure, site‑wide nuclear licensee development expertise, and nuclear safety leadership.
We are currently seeking a Project Controls Leader to join our AUKUS team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Project Controls function, establishing and maintaining robust planning, controls, reporting and forecasting processes that support successful project delivery.
• Provide strategic leadership across planning, scheduling, progress measurement, reporting, performance management and project controls governance.
• Develop, maintain and assure integrated project programmes across design, procurement, construction, commissioning and handover activities
• Monitor project performance against approved baselines, identifying risks, opportunities and trends to support proactive decision‑making.
• Drive accurate reporting and forecasting processes, providing timely insights and recommendations to project leadership and client stakeholders.
• Ensure critical milestones, production outputs and resource requirements are identified, monitored and effectively managed throughout the project lifecycle.
• Lead integrated project controls activities, including schedule analysis, performance measurement, earned value management and risk-based forecasting.
• Champion the use of digital engineering, visual planning and innovative project controls solutions to enhance delivery certainty and project performance.
• Collaborate closely with construction, engineering, commercial and client teams to align project controls outcomes with delivery objectives.
• Drive the continuous improvement of project controls systems, processes and best practices across the project.
  

About You

• Degree qualified in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management or a related discipline.
• Extensive experience in Project Controls, Planning or Programme Management roles on major infrastructure, defence, transport, energy or construction projects.
• Demonstrated experience leading project controls teams across large and complex programmes during both planning and delivery phases.
• Strong knowledge of project controls methodologies, governance frameworks, forecasting, performance reporting and schedule management.
• Proven ability to develop and manage integrated programmes, identify critical delivery risks and drive successful project outcomes.
• Experience implementing project controls systems and improving reporting, forecasting and performance measurement processes.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and engage effectively at all levels from project teams through to executive leadership.
• Applicants must be Australian citizens and hold or be able to obtain an Australian Defence Security Clearance to NV1 level.