Project Manager – Rail Infrastructure

Pacific National; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; 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 program

Job summary

Pacific National seeks a Project Manager - Rail Infrastructure to lead critical rail projects across its national network. The role requires coordinating plans, budgets, and stakeholders while ensuring safety, quality and on-time delivery.

The successful candidate can be based in Brisbane, Newcastle or North Sydney with interstate travel involved. You'll bring up to 10 years of rail project delivery experience, a relevant degree, and qualifications such as CPPM or PMP, plus proficiency with PN

Qualifications

• Two to ten years rail industry experience, ideally in RIM environments.
• Demonstrated experience delivering rail infrastructure projects within budget and schedule.
• Knowledge of rail safety regulations and PN infrastructure manual.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and delivery of rail infrastructure projects across PN's national network.
• Manage budgets, milestones, risks and contractor performance.
• Coordinate internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure safe, on-time delivery.

Skills

Rail infrastructure knowledge

Stakeholder management

Project planning

Budget control

Risk management

Contract negotiation

Regulatory compliance

Communication

MS Project

Maximo

Education

CPP M or PMP

Engineering/Construction Management degree

Tools

Microsoft Project

Maximo

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.

Why join us?

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.

Ready to deliver what matters?

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