Technical Director - Tailings

GHD; Townsville City; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

GHD is seeking a Technical Director - Tailings to lead high‑profile tailings projects from concept to closure. Based in Brisbane or Townsville, this hybrid role requires deep technical leadership and a track record in civil/geotechnical tailings engineering.

You will define project scopes, manage design teams, ensure adherence to international standards, and deliver exceptional client experiences while growing our pipeline across Australia and internationally.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil/Geotechnical Engineering (or higher).
• 10+ years experience in Tailings / Dams engineering.
• Licensed/chartered engineer incl. RPEQ.
• Strong leadership and project management skills.
• Solid knowledge of international design standards.
• Experience with design through construction, operation and closure.
• Valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Define tailings project scopes and lead design teams.
• Lead projects from concept to construction, operation and closure.
• Deliver excellent client experiences and grow the pipeline.
• Collaborate with national/global tailings engineers to share knowledge.

Skills

Technical leadership

Project management

Client relationship management

Tailings engineering knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil/Geotechnical Engineering

Registered/licensed/chartered Engineer incl. RPEQ

Job description

Job Description

There’s no pledge more important than the one we make to look after our environment, and we’re committed to helping you do exactly that. Join us as we strive to ensure a sustainable future for our communities and the world we live in.

Who are we looking for?

With flexibility to be based in either our Brisbane or Townsville offices, the Technical Director - Tailings would be joining our well‑regarded Dams & Tailings Group. Known for their deep technical expertise and holistic approach to tailings management, they deliver some of the most complex and high‑profile tailings projects across Australia and internationally, offering you the chance to make a real impact.

This rewarding role will see you involved in:

• Defining the scope of Tailings engineering projects, designing innovative solutions to meet more complex client challenges, and leading project / design teams to deliver those solutions.
• Leading and delivering projects from conceptual stage through to construction, operation and closure.
• Delivering exceptional client experiences to existing and new clients to support a continued strong pipeline of work for the team.
• Collaborating with our national and global service line of talented Tailings and Mine Waste engineers, to leverage and deepen our body of knowledge and realise the collaboration potential.

What You Will Bring To The Team

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Civil / Geotechnical Engineering.
• 10+ Years experience in Tailings / Dams Engineering.
• A passion for delivering great client experiences with solid technical outcomes.
• Strong technical capability across tailings engineering, including all project phases from planning and approvals to operation and closure demonstrated in a relevant industry or consulting business.
• Extensive experience of detail design and execution phases, and excellent knowledge of applicable standards and industry best practice, familiarity with international design standards.
• Proven experience in the technical leadership and management of engineering projects, registered/licensed/chartered Engineer incl. RPEQ.
• Established industry profile through participation in professional associations.
• A valid driver's license.

GHD is an equal opportunity employer, and we want everyone to be able to fully participate in our recruitment process. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of all identities.

GHD embraces hybrid work arrangements to create a work environment focused on well-being, flexibility and productivity where our people can thrive. This supports the diverse needs of our workforce while balancing the benefits of remote working with the value of face-to-face collaboration in the office.

About Us

Come together and make a meaningful impact. We bring our people together to create something bigger and solve some of the world's most complex problems. Come and experience the power of commitment and see strategy and ideas come to life when you join GHD.

Let's drive real change.

Our Pledge to You

At GHD, we don’t just believe in the power of commitment, we live and breathe it every day. That’s why we pledge to empower our people to make a positive impact. Combining our deep technical expertise with the capabilities of our clients and partners, we respond to some of the most complex challenges facing our planet today. See where your commitment could take you. That’s the #PowerOfCommitment

Who We Are

GHD is a global professional services company that leads through engineering, architecture, and construction expertise. We are an employee‑owned company with over 11,000 diverse and skilled individuals, across more than 200 offices spanning five continents. The Power of Commitment is our brand promise. It’s what makes us different. We are bound to our stated vision and determination to address humanity’s most urgent needs: to make water, energy and urbanisation sustainable for generations to come.