Project Director, Canberra Aquatic Centre | Full-time Temporary

Australian Capital Territory; Canberra; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Australian Capital Territory is seeking expressions of interest from ACT Public Service employees to undertake a temporary backfill opportunity as Project Director for four months (9 November 2026 – 1 March 2027) for the Canberra Aquatic Centre Project.

The Project Director will lead strategic planning, procurement and delivery, providing governance across commercial, technical, planning and stakeholder functions, and ensuring alignment with ACT Government priorities and best-practice

Qualifications

• Engineering degree (4-year or higher) with Professional Engineer recognition and ~10 years relevant experience; or
• Architecture degree with Professional Architect recognition and ~10 years relevant experience; or
• Project Management qualification or CPPD/CPPE certification with ~10 years relevant experience; or
• 10+ years relevant project management experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning, procurement and delivery of the Canberra Aquatic Centre Project.
• Provide governance across commercial, technical, planning and stakeholder functions; manage procurement strategies, risk, budget and delivery outcomes.
• Collaborate with government, industry and community stakeholders to ensure alignment with ACT Government priorities and best-practice delivery.

Job description

Details: The Canberra Aquatic Centre Project is seeking expressions of interest from ACT Public Service employees to undertake a temporary backfill opportunity in the role of Project Director for a period of four months (from 09 November 2026 until 01 March 2027).

The Project Director is responsible for leading the strategic planning, procurement and delivery of the Canberra Aquatic Centre Project. The role provides leadership across commercial, technical, planning and stakeholder functions, with responsibility for project governance, procurement strategies, risk management, budget performance and delivery outcomes. Working closely with government, industry and community stakeholders, the Project Director will drive the successful delivery of the project while ensuring alignment with ACT Government priorities, regulatory requirements and best-practice infrastructure delivery.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead one of the ACT Government's most significant community infrastructure projects and contribute to the delivery of a contemporary aquatic, fitness and wellness facility that will serve the Canberra community for generations to come.

Eligibility/Other Requirements:

Positions classified as an Infrastructure Manager/Specialist require the occupant to hold recognised qualifications and/or experience in one or more of the following fields (as outlined in the Position Description):

• Engineering – a four-year degree or higher qualification accredited by Engineers Australia or Professionals Australia for recognition as a Professional Engineer (including recognition of equivalent overseas Engineering qualifications) and a minimum of ten years relevant experience in Engineering; or
• Architecture – a three-year degree or higher qualification accredited by an Australian State or Territory architecture authority for recognition as a Professional Architect (including recognition of equivalent overseas qualifications) and a minimum of ten years relevant experience in Architecture; or
• Project Management – either:
  • a diploma in Project Management accredited by an Australian State or Territory tertiary education institution or an equivalent overseas qualification that is eligible for reciprocal recognition in Australia and a minimum of ten years relevant experience in project management; or
  • certification by a professional body, such as the Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM), to the level of Certified Practicing Project Director (CPPD) or Certified Practicing Portfolio Executive (CPPE), in addition to a relevant degree or higher qualification issued by an Australian State or Territory tertiary education institution or an equivalent overseas qualification that is eligible for reciprocal recognition in Australia and a minimum of ten years relevant experience in project management; or
  • have at least ten years’ relevant experience in project management, as described in the work levels.

Note: This is a temporary position available from 9 November 2026 to 1 March 2027. This position is available to ACT Government officers and employees only.

Selection may be based on application and referee reports only.

Note: Under the ACTPS employment framework you may be placed in another role where required for the efficient administration of the service.

Where an offer of employment is for a fixed-term period, any related temporary contracts within the Territory will be issued in compliance with the requirements and applicable exceptions outlined in the Fair Work Act.

The ACT public service is committed to closing the gap, underpinned by the belief that when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a genuine say in the design and delivery of policies, programs and services that affect them, better life outcomes are achieved. More information can be found here ACT Closing the Gap Implementation Plan - ACT Government Transparency Portal .

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Note

This is a temporary position available from 9 November 2026 to 1 March 2027. This position is available to ACT Government officers and employees only.