- Located in Wangaratta, Victoria

- Permanent Full Time Position

Lead the Future of HDD Excellence

Michels Trenchless Pty Ltd is part of the global Michels family of companies, a recognised leader in trenchless construction, pipeline installation, and underground infrastructure solutions.

As our Australian operations continue to expand, we are seeking an experienced and highly accomplished Director of HDD Strategy & Optimization to provide strategic leadership and technical oversight for our HDD business.

This is a rare chance for an industry leader to shape the future direction of HDD operations within one of the world's most respected trenchless construction organisations.

About the Role

Reporting directly to the President of Michels Trenchless Inc , the Director of HDD Strategy & Optimization will be responsible for driving operational excellence, strategic growth, standardisation, and continuous improvement across our HDD operations.

The successful candidate will leverage extensive HDD and trenchless construction expertise to strengthen operational performance, improve project outcomes, develop best practice methodologies, and support the long-term growth of the business.

Key Responsibilities

- Guide the long-term strategic direction of Michels' HDD operations through industry-leading technical expertise and market knowledge.

- Develop, implement, and standardise HDD best practices, systems, and operational methodologies across multiple projects and regions.

- Drive project performance improvements through optimisation of planning, execution, productivity, quality, and risk management.

- Identify opportunities to improve estimating processes, cost control,



project profitability, and overall business competitiveness.

- Provide specialist technical leadership and guidance on complex HDD projects and challenging underground conditions.

- Collaborate with operational, engineering, and executive teams to align business objectives and project delivery strategies.

- Mentor and develop HDD personnel to build organisational capability and succession strength.

- Promote knowledge transfer, innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement throughout the organisation.

- Act as a cultural ambassador, supporting alignment with Michels' values, leadership principles, and commitment to excellence.

About You

To be considered for this position, candidates must possess:

Essential Requirements

- Minimum 20+ years of experience in Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD), trenchless construction, or a closely related underground infrastructure sector.

- Extensive experience leading large-scale HDD projects and operations.

- Demonstrated expertise in HDD project planning, engineering, execution, operational optimisation, and risk management.

- Proven ability to develop and implement standardised HDD methodologies and best practice frameworks.

- Significant leadership experience managing technical, operational, and project delivery teams.





- Strong commercial acumen with a track record of improving project performance, productivity, and profitability.

- Exceptional communication, stakeholder management, and mentoring skills.

- Experience working across geographically dispersed teams and complex organisational structures.

Highly Desirable

- Experience working within multinational construction or infrastructure organisations.

- Experience with large-diameter pipeline installations and maxi-HDD operations.

- Demonstrated success leading strategic improvement and business transformation initiatives.

- Deep understanding of trenchless construction industry best practices and emerging technologies.

What's On Offer

- Executive-level leadership role with significant influence across a growing business.

- Opportunity to work within a globally recognised trenchless construction organisation.

- Exposure to major energy, utility, water, and infrastructure projects.

- Collaborative international working environment.

- Relocation support may be considered for exceptional candidates.

- Competitive remuneration package.

Why Join Michels?

At Michels, we pride ourselves on tackling the industry's most challenging projects through innovation, expertise, and a commitment to excellence. We are committed to developing our people, sharing knowledge globally, and maintaining our position as leaders in trenchless construction.

If you are a strategic HDD leader looking to make a significant impact on the future of a growing Australian business backed by global expertise, we encourage you to apply.

📌 Director of Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) Strategy & Optimization (Wangaratta)
🏢 Michels Trenchless
📍 Wangaratta