Manager Capital Works Planning and Delivery, Merri-bek City Council in Melbourne

Oversee a broad portfolio including Engineering Services, Building Projects & Assets, and lead development of Council's 10-year Capital Works Program and Asset Plan.

Lead the development and delivery of the 10-year Capital Works Program. Lead asset planning and support service planning across all asset classes.

Merri-bek is one of Melbourne's most densely populated and diverse municipalities. Its roads, drains, open spaces, sports infrastructure, buildings and community facilities carry the weight of a growing population, and they need to meet Council's environmental and financial sustainability goals. Council is looking for an experienced leader to own its Capital Works program and look after these assets.

The role involves reporting to the Director City Infrastructure and sitting on Council's Senior Management Team. The Manager Capital Works Planning and Delivery will oversee a broad portfolio of key functions, including Engineering Services, Building Projects and Assets and Programs. The role will be responsible for the development of Council's 10-year Capital Works Program and the delivery of the annual capital works program, valued at $90 million for 2026-27.

In the role, you will:

• Lead and develop a team of people managers, and build a culture that is safety-first, inclusive and high-performing.
• Be responsible for development and delivery of the 10-year Capital Works Program and the Asset Plan, and contribute to the annual budget and the Long-Term Financial Plan.
• Ensure the delivery of Council's annual capital works each year on time, on budget and to scope, across roads, drainage, open space, sports infrastructure, buildings and community facilities.
• Lead asset planning and support service planning across all asset classes so Council's assets stay fit for purpose over their whole life.
• Be Council's go-to adviser on project management, the construction industry and asset management.
• Run meaningful community and stakeholder engagement with asset owners during scoping and delivery.
• Advise Councillors and the Executive, and support the Director in a politically sensitive environment.

About you:

You're experienced in leading complex capital works programs who leads people well and delivers. You can explain complex projects clearly to Councillors, contractors and community members alike. You will bring:

• Proven performance developing and delivering a large capital works program and developing and managing a whole portfolio strategic asset management plan.
• Proven performance developing and maintaining cooperative working relationships to enable contract management, community engagement, facilitate negotiation, attract third party funding and advocate for Council's needs.
• Demonstrated senior leadership experience building constructive, inclusive, psychosocially safe and high-performing teams, inspiring and fostering a positive, collaborative and high performing culture including leading through change, developing people leaders, addressing poor behaviour and creating an environment where staff feel safe to raise concerns and contribute ideas.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications and/or substantial equivalent senior leadership experience in Engineering, capital program management or project management.
• Proven ability to translate Council priorities, community expectations and strategic objectives into practical branch strategies, governance arrangements, service plans and operational outcomes.
• Strong financial acumen and demonstrated application of sound asset management principles, including management of significant capital and operational budgets, procurement, contracts, lifecycle planning, asset condition, risk-based prioritisation, renewal planning and value-for-money investment decisions.
• Highly developed strategic, analytical, communication, stakeholder and customer focused management skills, with demonstrated commitment to ethical conduct, equity and inclusion, occupational health and safety, environmental sustainability, transparency and accountability.
• Understanding and thought leadership of contemporary challenges and opportunities facing local government, particularly addressing the climate emergency and protecting the natural environment.

Why Merri-bek?

This role shapes the infrastructure that more than 195,000 people use every day. You'll join a Council that takes environmental sustainability seriously and supports flexible work, diversity and inclusion.

Our Commitment:

Merri-bek City Council has adopted a Statement of Commitment to Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung People and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities of the municipality. The statement recognises the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people as the traditional owners of the lands and waterways of our municipality.

Merri-bek City Council is committed to being a Child Safe organisation and have zero tolerance for child abuse. We believe children and young people have the right to be and feel safe and that their safety and wellbeing is the responsibility of everyone.