Company description:

The Department of Transport and Planning oversees key planning, transport and land use policy decisions and management across the State. A life-cycle approach to planning, building, connecting and sustaining communities means our people can come together to; improve services, deliver sustainable projects, focus on customer engagement, streamline regulatory approval pathways, facilitate community consultation and better realise local economic opportunities for more liveable communities across Victoria.

Network Design & Integration is a Group within the department and is responsible for delivering transport priorities through the development, delivery and maintenance of an integrated pipeline of projects supporting the Major Transport Infrastructure Program, and Victoria's rail network.

Assets and Engineering is a Division in the Network Design & Integration Group and is responsible to enable a safe, resilient and fit-for-purpose Victorian transport system through whole of lifecycle decisions based on systematic and disciplined technical excellence.

Transport Assets' purpose is to to maximise the value of the Victorian transport system by driving an integrated, whole-of-life asset management approach to the state's assets across the transport portfolio.

Job description:

About the Role

This is an ongoing STS role

The Senior Manager, Strategic Asset Management - Rail Franchise is a key leadership role within the Strategic Asset Management - Rail (SAM Rail) Branch of Transport Assets. This role leads a small team responsible for shaping the strategic direction for managing Victoria's Light Rail and Heavy Rail Metro assets, ensuring alignment and consistency across rail franchise partners.

Collaboration is central to this role, requiring strong engagement across the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP), transport portfolio partners, and franchise operators. The Senior Manager works closely with Rail Planning, Transport Services, Network Development, and the Franchisees to define, document, and communicate the strategic technical direction for rail asset management.

Key responsibilities include:

• Establishing and maintaining asset information requirements across all asset classes.
• Partnering with contract management teams to identify opportunities to streamline and optimise asset management activities.
• Providing expert insights into asset risks, performance, and strategic priorities for both Light Rail and Heavy Rail Metro.
• Strengthening the team's role as the custodian of the Franchise Rail portfolios.

This is a high-impact role suited to an experienced leader with a deep understanding of rail asset management, franchise operations, and strategic planning within a complex stakeholder environment.

To provide greater insight into the role the position description can be found here.

Position Outcomes

Our ideal candidate will provide expert leadership in strategic asset management for Victoria's rail system, ensuring risks, vulnerabilities, and opportunities are proactively addressed while balancing cost considerations. The role represents DTP and the Assets & Engineering Division in the MR5 Refranchising process, reviewing franchisee strategies and plans to ensure alignment with DTP's strategic direction and contractual agreements. Additionally, the Senior Manager will collaborate with Major Projects to integrate scope elements that fall outside the operators' remit. By representing Strategic Asset Management (Rail) in broader asset management strategies, the incumbent ensures alignment between DTP's overarching Asset Management Strategy and the detailed Asset Portfolio System Strategies and Asset Class Management Plans.

As the rail asset custodian on behalf of DTP, the Senior Manager works closely with Transport Services and rail operators, reinforcing role clarity and effective custodianship of rail assets. The role has established and documented clear processes and RACI frameworks, successfully embedding them as standard practices. Strong stakeholder engagement is critical, ensuring complex asset management concepts are effectively communicated across the transport portfolio.

Qualifications and role specific requirements

• Relevant tertiary qualification in engineering, asset management or business management
• 10-15 years proven experience in industrial strategic asset planning/management
• Asset management certification (eg CAMA, Diploma in Asset Management)
• Experience in rail strategic asset planning

How to Apply

DTP Employees or DTP Affiliates with Vic Gov People login details click here and log in to begin the application process.

Non-DTP employees (including wider VPS) will need to create an account (not your JSE account). Click the ‘Apply' button and you'll be redirected to a new platform and create an account.

If have any issues, click here for Quick Reference Guide on how to apply.

Applications should include a resume and a cover letter. Applications close 11:59pm 16 April 2025 For further information about the role please contact Eva Wintersberger, Director Strategic Asset Management Rail via [email protected]