Director of Operations

Operations Director – Airport Asset Management Projects

Location: Darwin, NT (FIFO or relocation available)

• Lead airport asset management project delivery
• FIFO or relocation to Darwin supported
• ASX-listed infrastructure services leader

Lead a team of senior project and program managers delivering asset management projects at a major NT airport. FIFO or relocation options available.

About the opportunity

Our client is a major ASX-listed infrastructure services provider with a strong and growing presence in the Northern Territory. They’re looking for an Operations Director to lead their Project and Program Management Services business in Darwin.

The role’s core focus is delivering asset management projects within a major Northern Territory airport. That means managing a portfolio of capital works, renewals and upgrades across the airport’s buildings, infrastructure and critical assets, in a live operating environment.

This is a senior leadership role for someone who has delivered complex project portfolios and now wants to run a business and grow a team. You’ll report to the General Manager – Project Management Services. You’ll work closely with the Commercial Manager to grow the business and keep clients coming back.

FIFO and relocation: this role can be based in Darwin, or worked on a FIFO arrangement for the right candidate. Relocation support is also available for anyone wanting to make the move to the Top End.

What you’ll be doing

• Leading and developing a team of Senior Project and Senior Program Managers delivering airport asset management projects
• Owning delivery performance across the portfolio, including project health checks, governance and reporting
• Planning and coordinating works in a live airport environment, working closely with airport operations, security and asset owners to minimise disruption
• Representing the business on Project Boards as Senior Supplier
• Managing budgets, forecasts, utilisation targets and project financials, including client invoicing and requests for funds
• Building strong relationships with the airport client and government stakeholders, and finding opportunities for repeat and new work
• Improving project procedures, reporting templates and data integrity across the team
• Driving a strong safety, quality and risk culture

What you’ll bring

• Proven leadership of project and program managers. At least 5 years in project, technical and management roles, with a track record of leading delivery teams.
• Asset management or airport experience. Experience delivering projects in an airport, aviation, Defence base or other live operational environment is highly regarded. So is a background in asset renewal or lifecycle programs.
• Commercial and financial ownership. Confident managing budgets, forecasts and utilisation, with a solid grasp of P&L drivers, risk and contracts.
• Strong client and stakeholder skills. Comfortable working with airport operators, government representatives and senior client stakeholders.
• A tertiary qualification in project management, design, construction, management or a related field.
• A technical background applicable to property or infrastructure, plus strong working knowledge of MS Project and the Microsoft Office suite.
• PRINCE2 certification is highly regarded, but not essential.

Essential requirements

• Australian citizenship
• A minimum Government Baseline Security Clearance, current or able to obtain

Why apply?

• Lead project delivery on critical aviation infrastructure in the Top End
• A senior leadership role with real influence over how the business delivers and grows
• A respected national organisation with a strong values-based culture
• Flexibility to live in Darwin or work FIFO
• A competitive salary package, with relocation support available

How to apply

Click Apply to submit your CV. For a confidential discussion, contact Steve Ingham at Nova Partners on 0428 575 427 or singham@novapartners.com.au.

Nova Partners is a veteran-owned executive recruitment firm specialising in Defence and infrastructure.