Project Functions, Services & Controls Lead

About the Company

Our client is a leading organisation within the Australian utilities and infrastructure sector, delivering essential field services, capital works and asset management programs.

Operating across complex infrastructure environments, the organisation is focused on strengthening project delivery, improving financial visibility and embedding consistent project management practices to support operational performance.

About the Role

An exciting opportunity exists for an experienced Project Functions, Services & Controls Lead to establish and uplift project controls, reporting and governance practices across five diverse infrastructure and capital works programs.

Reporting to the Program Manager, you will work closely with five Project Managers responsible for delivering field-based construction, utilities and asset management projects. With varying approaches to project reporting and financial management currently in place, your focus will be on introducing a consistent, practical framework that improves visibility, accountability and decision-making.

This is a senior, hands-on position requiring strong commercial and financial acumen, the ability to navigate ambiguity and the confidence to influence experienced project delivery professionals.

Key responsibilities include:

• Establish and implement consistent project controls, governance frameworks and reporting processes across five programs of work.

• Develop standardised monthly reporting, consolidating project costs, forecasts, schedules, milestones, risks and performance indicators.

• Partner with Project Managers to improve financial oversight, cost management, forecasting accuracy and reporting discipline.

• Introduce practical project review processes, reporting templates and governance routines suitable for field-based capital works environments.

• Analyse project and portfolio performance, identifying emerging risks, financial variances and opportunities for improvement.

• Provide hands-on support and coaching to Project Managers to embed consistent project controls and reporting practices.

• Work collaboratively with operational, commercial and finance stakeholders to improve data quality and financial transparency.

• Establish sustainable processes that strengthen project delivery without creating unnecessary administrative complexity.

About You

You are an experienced Project Controls, PMO or Project Governance professional with a strong background in capital works, construction, utilities or asset-intensive environments.

You bring the ability to establish structure where processes are evolving, combining strong financial capability with a pragmatic, collaborative approach.

To be successful, you will demonstrate:

• Extensive experience in senior project controls, PMO, project governance or portfolio reporting roles within construction, utilities, energy, water, mining or infrastructure environments.

• Strong exposure to field-based capital works and asset management projects, rather than primarily IT or technology delivery.

• Proven experience establishing or uplifting project controls, governance frameworks and standardised reporting processes.

• Excellent financial acumen, including project cost control, budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis and financial performance reporting.

• Strong understanding of traditional waterfall project delivery methodologies.

• Demonstrated ability to engage and influence Project Managers, challenge existing practices and drive consistency across multiple projects.

• Advanced Excel and reporting capabilities, with experience using project scheduling, financial management or Power BI tools highly regarded.

• Strong communication, stakeholder engagement and problem-solving skills, with the ability to operate effectively in an evolving environment.

• A practical, hands-on mindset with the confidence to work autonomously and drive meaningful improvements.

Relevant tertiary qualifications and project management certifications will be highly regarded.

The Benefits

This opportunity offers the chance to play a pivotal role in strengthening project controls and governance across a diverse portfolio of essential infrastructure programs.

• 6-month contract with the opportunity to deliver tangible improvements across established capital works programs.

• Hybrid working arrangements, with three days per week based in a Melbourne CBD office on Collins Street.

• Exposure to diverse utilities, construction and asset management projects.

• Opportunity to design and implement practical project controls and reporting processes with lasting operational value.

• Work closely with experienced Project Managers and senior operational stakeholders.

• Occasional site meetings at Broadmeadows and Tullamarine depots, providing valuable exposure to field operations.

If you are a commercially astute Project Controls professional who enjoys bringing structure, consistency and financial discipline to complex infrastructure delivery environments, we encourage you to apply.