Project Manager – Rail Infrastructure

Pacific National; North Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual performance-based bonus

Hybrid working arrangements

Paid parental leave

Novated Leasing

Fitness Passport

Purchase leave program

EAP access (Sonder)

Job summary

Pacific National in Australia is recruiting a Project Manager – Rail Infrastructure to lead the delivery of Rail Infrastructure Manager projects across the national network. Based in Brisbane, Newcastle or North Sydney, you will coordinate planners, contractors and stakeholders, ensure works are completed safely, on time and within budget, and integrate completed works into the rail network.

This role requires hands‑on site oversight, risk management, and travel across the PN network to support

Qualifications

• Project management qualifications and railway sector knowledge.
• Degree or equivalent in engineering or construction management.
• Experience in rail project delivery or RIM environments is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and delivery of rail infrastructure projects.
• Develop plans covering scope, tenders, schedules, budgets and resources.
• Oversee track, signalling, and civil works projects.
• Monitor milestones and manage risks, delays and costs.
• Maintain on-site presence at milestones to oversee delivery and resolve defects.
• Coordinate contractors, suppliers and operational stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with Rail Safety legislation and PN standards.
• Support integration of completed works into the rail network.
• Travel interstate across PN network as required.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Communication

Planning and scheduling

Risk management

Budget control

Safety compliance

Education

CPPM or PMP certification

Degree in engineering, project management or construction management

Tools

Microsoft Project

Maximo

MS Office

Job description

• Lead critical rail infrastructure projects across a national network
• Combine project leadership with specialist rail infrastructure expertise
• Based in Brisbane, Newcastle or North Sydney

Join Pacific National – Australia’s largest private rail freight operator

Every day we transport millions of tonnes of critical freight around the country for our customers. We haul coal, intermodal containers, steel, and bulk commodities that keep Australia moving.

An opportunity has presented itself for a Project Manager – Rail Infrastructure to join our team, leading the delivery of Rail Infrastructure Manager (RIM) projects across our national network. The successful candidate can be based at our Brisbane Valley Office, Newcastle or North Sydney location.

What You’ll Do

You’ll lead the planning and delivery of rail infrastructure projects across Pacific National’s rail facilities, ensuring works are completed safely, on time, within budget and to the required quality standards.

Reporting to the Project Lead, you will:

• Develop and manage project plans covering scope, tenders, schedules, budgets and resource allocation for rail infrastructure projects across the national network.
• Lead the delivery of below-rail infrastructure projects involving track, turnouts, rail corridor drainage, civil works, overhead line equipment and signalling systems.
• Manage multiple projects and work packages concurrently, monitoring progress against project milestones and implementing strategies to address risks, delays and cost variations.
• Maintain an on-site presence at key project milestones and during works execution to oversee delivery, resolve issues, manage defects and ensure compliance with project requirements.
• Coordinate contractors, suppliers, engineering teams and operational stakeholders to achieve safe, efficient and high-quality project outcomes.
• Identify and manage project risks, including rail safety, construction, regulatory and community considerations, escalating critical issues with clear recommendations.
• Manage project budgets, expenditure approvals, contract performance and cost forecasts to support commercial accountability and value for money.
• Ensure project delivery complies with Pacific National’s Infrastructure Maintenance Manual, applicable rail safety legislation, Australian Standards and relevant regulatory requirements.
• Monitor contractor and supplier performance through site inspections, audits and quality reviews, implementing corrective actions where required.
• Work collaboratively with maintenance and operational teams to coordinate project interfaces and support the safe integration of completed works into the rail network.

What You’ll Bring

• Australian project management qualifications, such as CPPM or PMP.
• A degree in engineering, project management or construction management, or relevant rail or construction trade qualifications, which would be highly regarded.
• Two to ten years of rail industry experience, ideally in Rail Infrastructure Manager (RIM) environments, rail infrastructure project delivery or RIM construction management.
• Demonstrated experience managing project budgets, negotiating contracts, controlling costs and delivering commercially sound project outcomes.
• In‑depth knowledge of rail infrastructure requirements, particularly Pacific National’s Infrastructure Maintenance Manual and applicable rail safety regulations.
• A strong understanding of work health and safety legislation, risk management frameworks, Australian infrastructure standards and relevant regulatory requirements.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build productive relationships with contractors, customers, government agencies and internal teams.
• Strong planning, organisational and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and multiple projects simultaneously.
• Familiarity with project management tools such as Microsoft Project, asset management systems such as Maximo, and established project management methodologies.
• A current driver’s licence, Safety Access the Rail Corridor (SARC) accreditation and General Construction Induction Card (White Card).

Applicants must be willing and able to undertake regular interstate travel across Pacific National's operational network, including Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales. Travel is an essential requirement of the role to support project delivery and may involve extended periods away from the employee's usual place of work or residence.

At Pacific National we value the contribution of each team member. Our values underpin our commitment to create an inclusive culture where everyone is accepted.

Some of the benefits we offer are:

• Annual performance‑based bonus linked to business and individual performance
• Hybrid working arrangements, including work‑from‑home flexibility
• Paid parental leave
• Novated Leasing
• Fitness Passport
• Purchase leave program
• Access to EAP program through Sonder

We live by our Values: Make it Simple, Share More, Kindness, Gratitude, Curiosity, and Own It – helping us build strong connections with everyone we work with and do our best work every day.

Pacific National acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work live and rail.