PMO Lead / Head of Program Controls

Own the program controls backbone of one of Australia's largest rail technology deployments.

Location: Brisbane CBD

Work model: Hybrid — min. 3 days/week on site

Engagement: Full time contract

Start: September 2026

Term: 1 Sep 2026 – 31 Aug 2029 + 2 x 12-month options

Leave: 4 weeks p.a. + public holidays

Sector: Rail / Major Infrastructure

Rate: Competitive — negotiable

Work rights: Australian working rights required

Reference: STEPS-ETCS-01

About the program

STEPS Labour & Recruitment is recruiting on behalf of the IPM Engineering group for a major digital rail signalling upgrade program being delivered across the South East Queensland passenger rail network. The program is modernising train control to improve network safety, reliability and capacity, and is one of the most significant rail technology deployments currently under way in Australia.

The program's Project Management Office is already established and operating as the central coordination function for governance, planning, risk, change, reporting, financial management and information management. We are appointing four senior specialists to operate, mature and continuously improve that function, embedded within the client's project office in the Brisbane CBD. A hybrid arrangement is available, with a minimum of three days per week on site.

The role

Lead the PMO and Program Controls function for a landmark digital rail signalling program.

Reporting to the Delivery Program Director, you will lead the PMO and Program Controls team and act as principal advisor to the Program Director on program performance. You will own the frameworks that hold the program together — governance, assurance, planning, scheduling, cost control, risk, change, reporting and performance management — and provide the integrated view across scope, cost, schedule, risk, benefits and delivery readiness that program leadership relies on to make decisions.





What you'll be doing

· Lead and manage the PMO and Program Controls team, including resource planning and capability uplift.

· Establish and maintain the Program Management Framework and associated procedures.

· Oversee the planning, scheduling, cost control, risk, change, reporting and assurance functions.

· Ensure schedule, cost, scope, risk, benefits and performance information is integrated across every workstream.

· Lead development and maintenance of the Integrated Program Management Plan.

· Coordinate Executive Steering Committee reporting and wider program governance forums.

· Provide independent challenge and oversight of delivery performance.

· Oversee forecasting, trend analysis and program performance monitoring.

· Sponsor and coordinate assurance reviews, audits, health checks and gateway reviews.

· Lead recovery planning where performance deviates from approved baselines.

· Drive continuous improvement and PMO maturity initiatives.

· Build collaborative relationships with the rail operator, delivery partners and external stakeholders.

What you'll bring

Essential

· Extensive experience leading PMOs or Program Controls functions on major infrastructure programs.

· Demonstrated leadership of complex rail, transport or infrastructure programs.

· Advanced understanding of program governance, planning and scheduling, cost management, risk management, change control, assurance frameworks and earned value management.

· Proven experience owning executive-level reporting and senior stakeholder engagement.





· Experience operating across multi-stakeholder delivery environments.

· Strategic thinking, strong influencing skills and sound judgement under pressure.

Highly regarded

· Experience on digital signalling, train control or rail systems programs (ETCS, ERTMS or CBTC).

· P3O, MSP, MoP or equivalent portfolio and program credentials.

· Experience establishing or uplifting PMO reporting automation and dashboards (Power BI or similar).

· Prior engagement with Queensland Government or Queensland Rail delivery frameworks.

What's on offer

· A long-term engagement — initial term to August 2029, with two further 12-month options.

· A hybrid working arrangement: a minimum of three days per week in the client's Brisbane CBD project office, with the balance worked remotely.

· Full-time role with four weeks' annual leave.

· A genuinely significant program: digital train control deployment at national scale.

· Embedded in the client's team, working directly with program leadership rather than at arm's length.

· Competitive contract rates, negotiable based on experience.

· The backing of the IPM Engineering group, with continuity of work across our wider portfolio.

How to apply

Apply through the Apply now button, or send your CV and a short covering note to [email protected] quoting the reference above. For a confidential discussion call +61 429 021 300.

Applicants must hold unrestricted Australian working rights. The successful candidate will be required to complete a criminal history check and any client inductions or clearances required for the program. STEPS Labour & Recruitment is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We particularly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, women, veterans and people with disability.

📌 PMO Lead / Head of Program Controls (Brisbane)
🏢 Project Management Professional Services Australia
📍 Brisbane