Project Manager (Contract) – Systems and PLC Upgrades

Project Portfolio Management (PPM); Upper Hunter Shire Council; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Strong team environment

Commitment to technical excellence

Opportunity for impact on critical infrastructure

Job summary

A leading project management firm in New South Wales is seeking an experienced Project Manager (Contract) to oversee critical PLC and control systems upgrade projects at a key power generation facility. The successful candidate will manage project lifecycle phases while ensuring compliance and stakeholder alignment. This role offers an opportunity to impact vital infrastructure in a dynamic and collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in complex industrial or process plant upgrade projects.
• Proven experience in industrial environments or large-scale process facilities.
• Strong foundation in risk, cost, and quality management.

Responsibilities

• Lead a multi-disciplinary project team from design through to commissioning.
• Ensure compliance with Australian Standards and Codes.
• Engage with internal stakeholders to align on project goals.

Skills

Health, Safety & Environmental (HS&E) management

Engineering design review

Risk management

Stakeholder communication

Cost control

Education

Degree in Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical or related)

Project Management qualification or certification

Tools

SAP

Microsoft 365 tools

MS Project

Job description

Overview

Project Manager (Contract) – Systems and PLC Upgrades at Project Portfolio Management (PPM). Location: Hunter Region, NSW. Employment Type: Contract. Reports To: Manager – Capital Project Development. Team Size: 1–3 indirect reports.

About The Role

PPM is currently seeking an experienced Project Manager (Contract) to lead a suite of critical PLC and control systems upgrade projects at a major NSW-based power generation facility. This role is key to ensuring the safe, efficient, and standards-compliant delivery of engineering works essential to ongoing site operations.

The successful candidate will coordinate cross-disciplinary teams through all phases of the project lifecycle—from planning and design, through fabrication and construction, to commissioning and handover—while operating within PPM’s structured Project Management Framework.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure Health, Safety & Environmental (HS&E) systems are embedded across all project activities.
• Review, approve, and manage engineering designs including civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical systems.
• Interpret and assess comprehensive design packages to identify best-practice solutions.
• Evaluate and endorse contractor construction methodologies pre-execution.
• Coordinate civil, mechanical, and electrical contractors during construction phases.
• Engage proactively with internal stakeholders and support services to ensure alignment on schedule, cost, quality, and risk.
• Manage system testing and commissioning, ensuring compliance with Australian Standards and Codes.
• Collaborate with O&M and Outage Teams to integrate new assets into operational workflows.
• Lead a multi-disciplinary project team from design through to commissioning.
• Maintain accurate documentation of project scope, costs, risks, timelines, and technical data.
• Control capital expenditure, track forecasts, and ensure alignment with approved budgets.
• Maintain strong stakeholder communication to enable effective decision-making and delivery.
• Apply proactive risk mitigation strategies to maintain progress and resolve constraints.
• Execute all activities in accordance with PPM’s Project Management Framework.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 10 years’ experience delivering complex industrial or process plant upgrade projects up to $10 million.
• Degree-qualified in Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical or related discipline) with eligibility for Engineers Australia membership.
• Project Management qualification or certification (preferred).
• Proven experience in industrial environments or large-scale process facilities.
• Working knowledge of SAP and Microsoft 365 tools including MS Project.
• Strong foundation in risk, cost, and quality management.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills across all organisational levels.

Budget & Authority

Operates within PPM’s Delegations of Authority and expenditure approval framework. Leads internal and external project resources to ensure cost control and project delivery within budget.

Key Relationships

• Manager – Capital Project Development (Direct Supervisor)
• Senior Leadership across Engineering, Operations, Maintenance, and Finance
• PPM HS&E, People & Culture, and Project Stakeholders
• External contractors and delivery partners

Why Join PPM?

PPM is a trusted partner for delivering high-value capital projects across power, resources, and industrial sectors. We provide a strong team environment, robust governance frameworks, and a commitment to technical excellence and operational readiness. This is an opportunity to make a tangible impact on critical infrastructure while working with experienced professionals in a collaborative and safety-first environment.

Seniority level

• Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Contract

Job function

• Project Management and Information Technology

Industries

• Business Consulting and Services