Senior Project Manager - HV Utilities

Coleambally; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and wellness benefits

EAP Beyond Blue

Retail discounts

Job summary

Downer Group is seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead high voltage utility works on a major transmission project in Australia. The role requires delivering critical HV infrastructure with a multidisciplinary team, ensuring safety, quality and schedule adherence, and managing interfaces with asset owners and regulators.

The successful candidate will drive governance, budget control and commercial performance while maintaining strong client relationships and a collaborative team culture.

Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualification in engineering or equivalent.
• Extensive experience delivering high voltage infrastructure in transmission/utilities projects.
• Availability for project-based roster and site travel.
• Strong knowledge of transmission project interfaces.
• Understanding of electrical safety, compliance and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of high voltage utility works and undertakings across the transmission project alignment.
• Oversee design integration, construction staging, programme coordination and third-party approvals.
• Manage interfaces with transmission assets, utility owners, designers and construction teams.
• Establish governance, decisions, reporting and risk management for the project.
• Maintain safety, quality, environmental requirements and stakeholder communications.

Skills

Senior project management

Leadership of large teams

HV infrastructure experience

Project planning & programming

Risk management & safety

Budgeting & cost control

Stakeholder management

Negotiation & decision making

Strong communication

Education

Engineering degree or equivalent

Job description

The opportunity

• An exciting opportunity is available for a Senior Project Manager HV Utilities to provide leadership across the delivery of critical high voltage infrastructure works on a major transmission project.
• Leading a multidisciplinary project team, you will create a high performing environment built on safety, accountability and collaboration. You will provide direction, coaching and support while ensuring the team has the resources, capability and information required to achieve successful project outcomes.
• You will oversee the delivery of high voltage utility works and undercrossings across the transmission project alignment. This will include design integration, construction staging, programme coordination and third party approvals. You will manage critical interfaces with transmission assets, utility owners, designers, construction teams and adjacent work packages, ensuring activities are carefully planned and safely executed.
• Working closely with clients, asset owners, consultants, government agencies, regulatory authorities and internal teams, you will ensure the works meet technical, contractual, safety, quality and environmental requirements. You will also coordinate access, approvals and planned outages where required, while minimising disruption to existing networks, surrounding stakeholders and other project activities.
• With accountability for scope, schedule, budget and commercial performance, you will establish effective project governance, decision making and communication processes. You will identify and manage delivery risks, resolve complex technical and construction issues, and maintain clear reporting to senior leadership and the client.
• This senior role offers the opportunity to influence project strategy, strengthen client and asset owner relationships, and guide a capable team through the successful delivery of complex high voltage transmission infrastructure.

What we offer

• The opportunity to lead complex high voltage utility works on a major transmission project.
• A senior position with responsibility for project delivery, commercial performance, client engagement and team leadership.
• Competitive remuneration with a significant ASX-listed company.
• Structured career paths with the opportunity to work in different areas of the Utilities business, supported by a robust Commercial Operating Model.
• A suite of health and wellness benefits and initiatives, including EAP Beyond Blue.
• Retail discounts with major retailers, Dell, Good Guys, Samsung, Specsavers & ANZ.
• We are a Tier 1 ASX listed company with in-house capabilities that far exceed traditional contractor environments.

What we’re looking for

• You will hold a relevant tertiary qualification in engineering or an equivalent discipline and bring demonstrated success in a senior project or operational management role.
• Extensive experience delivering high voltage infrastructure within a transmission, utilities or major infrastructure project environment.
• Availability to work a project based 20:8 roster and travel to site locations as required, including periods away from home.
• Strong knowledge of transmission project interfaces.
• A strong understanding of electrical safety, technical compliance and risk management requirements associated with high voltage works.
• Demonstrated experience managing project scope, programme, budget, quality and contractual obligations.
• Strong project planning, programming and prioritisation capability.
• Proven leadership skills, with experience coaching, mentoring and managing the performance of large or geographically dispersed teams.
• The ability to establish a culture of accountability, collaboration and safe project delivery.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, contract management and cost control.
• Strong negotiation, influencing and decision-making skills.
• The ability to interpret technical specifications, design documentation, project schedules, financial information and performance reports.
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to work effectively under pressure and make timely, considered decisions.

About Energy & Utilities

Downer's Energy & Utilities business unit is an integrated trans-Tasman team, providing services and solutions that connect communities to essential networks and infrastructure. We design, build, operate and maintain today's critical assets and networks, delivering complete services across the water, electricity, telecommunications, industrial and power generation sectors. Our expertise spans in-house technical smarts, specialist engineering, integrated OEM partners, and dedicated crews of qualified tradespeople.

Downer Group is an employer that acknowledges and embraces the importance of our people's diverse experiences, talents, and cultures. As an inclusive employer, we welcome applications from everyone.