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Project Controls Manager
- Drive planning, cost, risk, and performance excellence across projects.
- Build and lead a high‑performing project controls team.
- 3 Year, Fixed Term Contract, Full-Time
V/Line’s purpose is to connect Victorians through safe, reliable, and accessible transport. We believe in giving all Victorians opportunities through travel and transport – connecting them to jobs, education, family and friends, services, tourism and trade.
V/Line is experiencing significant growth and we’re delivering more services, more trains, cheaper fares, and huge projects. With more than 3700 weekly train and coach services, an expansive freight network and unprecedented rail investment, millions of Victorians depend on us to deliver. You could be one of our 2700 committed team members who are up to the challenge.
About the role
The Projects Group is responsible for developing, delivering and assuring project-related changes and improvements across the regional rail network.
The Group coordinates, integrates and delivers major projects and network change in a safe, collaborative and innovative manner, enabling V/Line to shape the improvement and modernisation of V/Line’s regional transport service.
Your role as the Project Controls Manager is responsible for leading and delivering an integrated Project Controls function across a portfolio of complex, high‑value projects and programs. The role provides strategic and operational leadership across planning, cost management, progress measurement, reporting, risk and change control to support informed decision‑making and successful project outcomes.
The position leads, mentors and manages a team of Planner/Schedulers, interfacing with other Project Controls practitioners (including cost controllers, risk advisors & reporting analysts), setting clear direction, standards and expectations while uplifting capability and embedding best‑practice frameworks, systems and processes.
As well as performing duties specified in this position description an employee may be required to undertake other duties or functions consistent with their classification, capabilities, and skills.
Position Accountabilities:
Lead, manage and develop a high‑performing Project Controls function, including setting priorities, allocating work, providing coaching and feedback, and supporting professional development and succession planning.
Establish and maintain consistent, best‑practice project controls frameworks, standards, procedures and tools across planning, cost, progress, change, risk and reporting disciplines.
Ensure the development, assurance and maintenance of integrated, cost‑ and resource‑loaded schedules aligned to approved project baselines and business rules.
Oversee project baseline establishment and control processes for scope, cost, schedule and progress, ensuring changes are appropriately governed, analysed and reported.
Direct the delivery of high‑quality project and portfolio reporting, dashboards and analytics to support executive, governance and stakeholder decision‑making.
Lead the application of performance management techniques, including Earned Value Management and forecasting, to identify trends, variances and emerging risks early and recommend corrective actions.
Interface with EPMO on project controls aspects of the PMO function
Oversee resource planning, utilisation and capacity reporting, working with project leaders to optimise workforce deployment across the portfolio.
Ensure effective risk and issue management processes are embedded and maintained, including identification, mitigation, tracking and escalation as required.
Act as the primary escalation point for complex project controls issues, providing expert advice and guidance to project teams and senior leaders.
Build and maintain strong internal and external stakeholder relationships, promoting a collaborative, service‑oriented approach and a “no surprises” culture.
Drive continuous improvement, change management and digital enablement initiatives within the Project Controls function.
Promote a safe, compliant and ethical working environment, ensuring the team adheres to relevant policies, procedures and statutory obligations.
If your skills or experience don’t exactly match our listed requirements, we still encourage you to apply. We value diverse perspectives and believe in the potential for growth and development.
About you
Reporting to the Head of Commercial - Project Controls, the Project Controls Manager partners closely with Project Directors, project teams and senior stakeholders to proactively manage risk, assure performance against approved baselines and enable robust, on‑time and on‑budget delivery.
Selection Criteria:
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE and PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
- Demonstrated senior experience in Project Controls leadership roles managing complex, high‑value infrastructure, construction or engineering projects and programs. (Essential)
- Proven experience leading and developing multidisciplinary project controls teams, including planners and cost control specialists.
- Advanced knowledge of project planning, scheduling, cost control, progress measurement, forecasting, risk and change management across all project lifecycle phases. (Essential)
- High level proficiency in Primavera P6 (or equivalent enterprise scheduling tools), Microsoft Office and reporting/BI platforms.
- Strong understanding of baseline management, Earned Value Management and performance analytics.
- Experience developing, implementing and embedding project controls frameworks, systems and governance across matrixed organisations.
- Tertiary qualification in Engineering, Construction, Quantity Surveying, Project Management, Commerce or a related discipline (Preferred).
- Professional project management or project controls certification and/or membership of a relevant professional institute (Desirable).
- Extensive industry experience within construction, transport or major capital delivery environments. (Essential)
- Confident people leader who can motivate, mentor and develop others to achieve high performance. (Essential)
- Strategic thinker who can translate complex information into clear insights and practical recommendations.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.
- Collaborative and service‑oriented, with a commitment to building trusted relationships across diverse teams and disciplines.
- Resilient and adaptable, able to manage competing priorities, ambiguity and change in a dynamic delivery environment. (Essential)
- High level of integrity, professionalism and accountability, role‑modelling expected values and behaviours.
- Proactive problem‑solver with a continuous improvement mindset and a willingness to challenge the status quo constructively.
Why V/Line
In addition to free myki travel, we offer:
- Community impact – Make a genuine difference. Work in a role that connects Victorians, every day.
- Huge potential – We’re transforming, and you can too. Be a change maker, recognised for your contribution and creativity.
- Dynamic environment – V/Line operates in a constantly changing space. Join a fast-paced and exciting organisation.
- Collaborative team – You’ll be part of a broader supportive team. Surround yourself with talented, passionate peers.
- Flexible working – We support flexible working. Work in a way that supports you to thrive in your role.
We are committed to ensuring a comfortable and accessible recruitment experience. If you need any adjustments or have specific accessibility requirements at any stage of the process, please contact our Talent team at
[email protected] or 1800 800 007 for confidential support.
As an equal opportunity employer, V/Line is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace and network that reflects the communities we serve. We accept and value the contributions of all our employees regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, age or disability. We were also named a Work 180 endorsed employer for the second year in a row – meaning, we are committed to creating a great workplace for women.
We proudly acknowledge First Peoples of Victoria. We acknowledge their ongoing strength in practicing the world’s oldest living culture. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners’ lands, waters, and skies on which we live and pay respects to their Elders past and present.
At V/Line, safety is our priority. Successful applicants will undergo relevant pre-employment and medical checks to meet our safeworking standards. V/Line is also a proud Child Safe employer.
