Job Description

Acknowledgement of Country

CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waters, of the area that we live and work on across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. View our vision towards reconciliation.

Role highlights

• Lead complex capital works programs across CSIRO’s national property portfolio
• Shape project planning and delivery of major capital projects
• Oversee a high-performing team delivering infrastructure that enables world-class science

About CSIRO

As Australia's national science agency, CSIRO is solving the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. Many of our iconic innovations were once considered impossible until someone, just like you, joined us and took on the challenge.

Visit CSIRO.au for more information.

The opportunity

CSIRO is seeking an experienced Manager – Capital Works to lead the planning, development and delivery of complex capital works projects across our national property portfolio.

In this role, you will lead a team of project professionals and oversee projects from early planning and scoping through procurement and delivery, ensuring they are well defined, appropriately governed and delivered to agreed scope, budget, time and quality requirements.

Working across a diverse portfolio of scientific and research facilities, you will partner closely with stakeholders, project managers, contractors and service providers to navigate complex technical and operational requirements. You will provide strategic advice, manage program and project risks, and help strengthen capital works planning and delivery practices across CSIRO.

Your high-level duties will include:

• Lead a portfolio of concurrent capital works projects, ensuring delivery to agreed scope, time, budget, quality and operational requirements.
• Lead capital works planning and pipeline development, including project prioritisation, sequencing, scoping, options analysis, business cases and delivery readiness.
• Provide leadership and direction to a team of project professionals, building capability, accountability and a high-performance delivery culture.
• Oversee project governance, assurance, risk and performance, identifying emerging issues and taking timely action to support successful outcomes.
• Lead stakeholder engagement across complex projects, balancing operational, technical and organisational requirements.
• Provide commercial and contract leadership across procurement strategies, contractor performance, variations, claims and negotiations.
• Manage program financial performance, including budgets, forecasting, cash flow, contingencies and variances, while driving continuous improvement across capital works delivery.

Role particulars

Location: Melbourne (Clayton), Canberra (Black Mountain), Brisbane (Pullenvale or Dutton Park), Adelaide (Waite), Darwin (Berrimah), Perth (Kensington), Hobart (Battery Point) or Sydney (Marsfield or Westmead)

Salary: AU$135k - AU$158k pa + 15.4% superannuation

Tenure: Indefinite, Full-time

Reference: 104457

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

• Relevant qualifications in project or program management, construction management, architecture, engineering, planning, property management or a related discipline, or significant equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated experience delivering capital works projects and programs involving laboratories and biocontainment facilities in an operational environment.
• Extensive experience leading teams of project management and support professionals, with demonstrated capability in coaching, resource allocation and team development.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen to drive value for money, successful contractual delivery outcomes, well-developed understanding of project management methodologies, contract management, health and safety legislation and Commonwealth procurement requirements as they relate to the successful delivery of capital works programs.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills and proven strong interpersonal abilities to successfully liaise with and influence a diverse range of stakeholders.
• A history of professional and respectful behaviours and attitudes in a collaborative environment, building teams who collaborate, deliver and engage with stakeholders.
• Capable of thinking laterally and strategically, anticipating and managing problems, and applying sound judgement to resolve complex issues with practical and positive solutions

Desirable

• Experience in leading cultural transformation in teams with a focus on capability uplift.

For full details about this role, and other criteria, please review the Position Description.

Support and workplace adjustments

We offer a range of reasonable supports and workplace adjustments. Please reach out to the contact person in the Position Description if we can help you to equitably participate in our recruitment process or the role itself.

Not sure if you meet all the criteria?

While it is CSIRO policy that the successful candidate must meet all the essential criteria, there are many ways to demonstrate this. Don’t let the list discourage you. If you are unsure about applying, please reach out to the contact person in the Position Description.

Setting you up for success

We are committed to providing a recruitment process that is fair, equitable and accessible to everyone. We recognise that it may be helpful for us to adjust our process to make it equitable for your individual situation. Please reach out to the contact on page 1 of the position description, to let us know how we can support you.

Life at CSIRO and flexible work arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. We can discuss flexible work arrangements with you during the recruitment process. CSIRO also offers a range of leave entitlements, benefits and career development opportunities. To find out more, visit Careers at CSIRO.

Inclusion and belonging

Solving Australia's greatest challenges takes a diversity of minds and lived experiences. We know diverse teams are more effective and deliver more innovative outcomes. As an equal employment opportunity organisation, we are committed to creating diverse and inclusive teams where people feel they belong. We recognise true diversity encompasses all ages, abilities, cultures, faiths, levels of education, genders, sexualities, diversity of thought and much more. We focus on hiring people who share our values of People First, Further Together, Making it Real and Trusted.

CSIRO holds Platinum Status for the Australian Workplace Equality Index for LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and a Science in Australia Gender Equity Bronze Award.

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to Australian Citizens only.

The successful candidate will be required to obtain and maintain a security clearance at the Baseline level.

Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.

Child safety

CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs. View our Child Safe Policy.

How to apply

Please apply online and submit a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) and CV that demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the essential requirements of this role.

Applications close

22nd November 2026, 11pm (AEDT)