Project Manager – Water Infrastructure / Complex Civil Works
Location:
NSW Regional
We're seeking a highly technical Project Manager to lead the delivery of major water infrastructure works. This role suits an engineering-driven PM who combines deep practical knowledge with strong commercial, stakeholder, and delivery capability.
You'll oversee complex civil and water packages, including structures, temporary works, sheet piling, pipelines, pump stations, and associated environmental and hydrological interfaces. The role requires someone who can confidently guide engineering decisions, manage risk early, and maintain high performance across safety, quality and programme.
This opportunity is ideal for someone who thrives in technically demanding environments and wants to influence outcomes on a significant water infrastructure program.
Key Responsibilities
Project Delivery & Engineering Leadership
* Lead end-to-end delivery of water infrastructure works including pipelines, channels, diversion structures, pumping systems and associated civil/structural components.
* Oversee all technical inputs—design reviews, constructability assessments, temporary works approval, methodology development, and engineering risk management.
* Manage complex structural works including sheet piling, cofferdams, ground improvement and deep excavations.
* Champion design–delivery integration, ensuring engineering decisions support safe, efficient construction outcomes.
* Coordinate environmental and hydrological requirements associated with river works, water flows, flood risk and plant operations.
Commercial & Contract Management
* Drive program, cost, and change controls to ensure reliable forecasting and contract compliance.
* Manage subcontract procurement, performance, and variations for technical and specialist trades.
* Ensure project budgets, productivity targets and commercial objectives are met.
Stakeholder & Client Engagement
* Maintain proactive communication with client representatives, technical advisors, landholders, and regulatory bodies.
* Facilitate early issue identification and resolution across engineering, commercial, safety and delivery teams.
* Represent the project during audits, technical workshops, and integrated planning sessions.
Safety, Quality & Risk
* Lead a strong safety culture with a focus on high-risk water and civil environments.
* Ensure temporary works and structural solutions meet relevant codes, standards and project verification requirements.
* Oversee quality assurance, test plans, ITPs, and commissioning requirements.
Team Leadership
* Mentor engineers, supervisors and early-career staff to build strong technical capability within the delivery team.
* Provide clear direction on sequencing, resourcing and methodology.
* Foster a collaborative, solutions-focused culture across all project functions.
Required Experience & Background
* Proven experience as a Project Manager delivering complex water or heavy civil infrastructure projects.
* Strong technical background in structures, sheet piling, temporary works, ground improvement, and/or complex civil staging.
* Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams on medium–large scale projects.
* Experience managing design interfaces, approvals, commissioning, and water operations constraints.
* Strong financial, contractual, and program management skills.
* Degree qualified in Civil Engineering (or related). CPEng desirable but not essential.