Director of Projects and Operations - Energy #02091806

We are seeking a commercially minded and operationally strong Director of Projects and Operations – Energy to lead the delivery of major projects and operational performance across a dynamic energy portfolio based in Brisbane. This is a senior leadership role responsible for aligning project execution with day-to-day operations, ensuring assets, programs, and teams deliver safely, efficiently, and in line with strategic business objectives.

The role will oversee both project and operational functions, providing direction across planning, delivery, performance improvement, risk, stakeholder engagement, and financial outcomes. Working closely with executive leadership, technical specialists, delivery teams, and external partners, the Director will play a critical role in driving growth, reliability, and long-term value across the energy business.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, delivery, and performance of energy-related projects and operational activities across the portfolio
• Provide strategic oversight across project execution, operational readiness, maintenance coordination, and business improvement initiatives
• Ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, on budget, and in alignment with operational and commercial requirements
• Drive operational excellence, performance optimisation, and continuous improvement across assets and support functions
• Oversee project governance, scheduling, resourcing, contractor management, and delivery risk
• Support integration between project teams and operational stakeholders to ensure successful commissioning, handover, and long-term asset performance
• Manage budgets, forecasts, and financial performance across both projects and operations
• Ensure compliance with relevant health, safety, environmental, regulatory, and governance obligations
• Build and maintain strong relationships with regulators, contractors, consultants, customers, joint venture partners, and internal stakeholders
• Lead, mentor, and develop multidisciplinary teams across operations, engineering, and project delivery
• Contribute to strategic planning, growth initiatives, capital investment decisions, and transformation programs

Requirements:
You are an experienced senior leader with a strong background in both project delivery and operations within the energy, utilities, infrastructure, or related industrial sectors. You are comfortable operating across strategy and execution, and you bring a practical leadership style that enables teams to perform in complex, fast-moving, and asset-intensive environments.

You are known for your commercial judgement, stakeholder management capability, and ability to deliver outcomes through disciplined planning, strong governance, and collaborative leadership.

Required Experience and Qualifications

• Significant experience in a senior leadership role spanning projects, operations, or both within the energy, utilities, infrastructure, or resources sectors
• Demonstrated success delivering complex capital projects while also managing operational performance or readiness
• Strong understanding of project management, operational planning, risk management, and asset performance
• Proven commercial and financial capability, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost control
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams across engineering, delivery, operations, and support functions
• Strong working knowledge of health, safety, environmental, and regulatory compliance requirements
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, communication, and negotiation skills
• Ability to influence at executive level and manage competing priorities across multiple workstreams
• Relevant tertiary qualification in engineering, project management, business, commerce, or a related discipline

Preferred Experience

• Experience in power generation, transmission, distribution, renewables, storage, or broader energy infrastructure
• Familiarity with the Australian energy market and regulatory environment
• Exposure to commissioning, operational handover, and asset lifecycle management
• Experience managing contractors, EPC partners, or outsourced delivery models
• Background in business transformation, growth projects, or operational improvement programs

Benefits:
Senior leadership opportunity within a growing and strategically important energy portfolio

Brisbane-based role with broad influence across both projects and operations

Opportunity to shape delivery performance, operating model, and long-term asset value

Competitive executive remuneration package with performance-based incentives

Strong career potential within a dynamic and evolving sector

Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy

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Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are Equal Opportunity Employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, intersex status, marital or family status, pregnancy, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected under applicable Australian law.

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Compensation Information

Where applicable, compensation details may be included in the job advertisement or discussed during the recruitment process. Remuneration will be determined based on skills, experience, market benchmarks, and internal equity, in line with applicable laws and regulations.

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