Project Manager - Civil

The Project Manager is responsible for the integrated delivery and commercial performance of civil engineering projects across Peritas' portfolio. Operating at a mid-level within the Trailblazer tier, this role applies structured project management discipline that is grounded in PMBOK principles, alongside strong commercial acumen to plan, execute, monitor, and close projects in a way that is technically excellent, financially sound, and commercially astute.

This role sits at the intersection of internal delivery, external client engagement, and commercial management. You will work closely with technical leads, design staff, subconsultants, and clients to ensure projects are delivered within scope, on programme, within budget, and at the margins that sustain Peritas' growth.

Integration Management

· Develop and maintain project charters, project management plans, and integrated delivery schedules.

· Direct project work across disciplines, ensuring alignment between scope, time, cost, quality, risk, and commercial objectives throughout the project lifecycle.

· Monitor project performance against baseline plans; implement corrective actions and document lessons learned.

· Manage project close-out, including final deliverable handover, financial reconciliation, and archiving.

Scope Management

· Define and document project scope in collaboration with clients and technical leads.

· Develop and maintain a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) to guide planning, resourcing, and commercial tracking.

· Control scope creep rigorously; identify, assess, and process all change requests through a formal variation management process.

· Validate all deliverables against contractual scope and client requirements prior to issue.

Schedule Management

· Develop realistic, resource-loaded project programmes using MS Project or equivalent tools.

· Identify and actively manage the critical path; monitor schedule risks proactively.

· Maintain delivery momentum through effective coordination of internal teams and subconsultants.

· Communicate programme variances early and clearly, with recovery plans where required.

Commercial Management (Internal)

· Prepare and manage project budgets with a clear breakdown by phase, discipline, and resource type

· Establish and maintain project S-curves (planned vs actual expenditure and earned value) as the primary tool for tracking financial performance over the project lifecycle

· Monitor earned value, cost performance index (CPI), and schedule performance index (SPI) on a monthly basis; use S-curve analysis to identify trends, forecast final outturn costs, and take corrective action early

· Track work-in-progress (WIP) against invoiced and recognised revenue; ensure WIP is converted to cash in a timely manner

· Manage fee drawdown schedules aligned to project milestones and cash flow targets

· Prepare accurate monthly financial forecasts for internal review; escalate budget variances, margin erosion, or cash flow risks promptly to Head of Civil Engineering

· Support timely and accurate invoicing in coordination with the finance team; ensure invoices are issued on programme and followed up to payment

· Monitor project margin throughout delivery; identify and address the root causes of margin leakage; whether through scope creep, rework, resourcing inefficiency, or subconsultant overruns

· Ensuring Synergy (Internal system) is up to date, correct and regularly audited and managed.

Commercial Management (External)

· Administer project contracts proactively, including scope management, milestone tracking, and contractual entitlements

· Identify and prepare variation claims in a timely manner; substantiate claims with clear programme and cost evidence

· Negotiate variations and extensions of time with clients professionally and with commercial confidence

· Administer subconsultant and supplier contracts, including scope, fee, progress claims, and variations; hold subconsultants to their contractual obligations

· Manage project risk registers with a commercial lens, quantify financial exposure and ensure appropriate contingency and risk provisions are in place

· Understand and apply contract conditions (including AS 4122, AS 2124, or bespoke professional services agreements) to protect Peritas's commercial interests

Client Management

· Act as the primary point of contact for assigned clients across the full project lifecycle

· Build trusted, long-term client relationships founded on reliability, transparency, and technical credibility

· Develop and execute client communication plans tailored to the stakeholder; ensure clients are never surprised by bad news

· Prepare and issue monthly progress reports, meeting minutes, and project correspondence to a consistently high standard

· Proactively identify and resolve client concerns before they escalate; manage expectations with clarity and confidence

· Identify opportunities for scope growth, follow-on commissions, or new service lines through strong client relationships; and convert those opportunities into active engagements in collaboration with senior leadership

· Represent Peritas professionally in all client interactions; your conduct at the client interface directly reflects the firm's reputation

Quality Management

· Apply Peritas's quality management framework across all project deliverables

· Plan and conduct quality reviews and design checks prior to issue

· Maintain quality records and ensure non-conformances are identified, documented, and resolved

· Contribute to continuous improvement of QA processes and internal delivery standards

Resource Management

· Plan and coordinate internal resource needs across all project phases

· Work with team leads to assign staff appropriately; identify resourcing gaps and escalate as needed

· Provide day-to-day leadership and guidance to project team members in relation to projects the Project Manager is leading.

· Mentor graduate and intermediate staff, supporting their professional development and technical growth

Risk Management

· Identify, assess, and document project risks; technical, commercial, and programme at initiation and throughout delivery

· Develop and maintain risk registers; assign ownership and implement agreed mitigation measures

· Monitor the risk environment as the project evolves and update assessments accordingly

· Escalate high-impact or emerging risks to senior leadership in a timely manner

Stakeholder and Communications Management

· Identify all project stakeholders and develop appropriate engagement strategies for each

· Facilitate effective project meetings; ensure decisions and actions are clearly documented and followed up

· Maintain clear, professional communication with clients, subconsultants, regulators, and internal stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle

· Manage the flow of information across the project team to minimise delays, rework, and miscommunication

Your Profile:

· 5–8 years of experience in civil engineering project delivery, with demonstrated mid-level PM responsibility

· Proven ability to manage project budgets (typically $500K–$5M in fees) and programmes independently

· Demonstrable experience in commercial management including variation management, contract administration, earned value tracking, and S-curve reporting

· Strong client management skills, with a track record of building and sustaining professional client relationships

· Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Project Management, or a related discipline

· PMP certification (PMI) or equivalent (AIPM Certified Practising Project Manager)

· Working knowledge of PMBOK principles and project management best practices

· Proficiency in MS Project, Excel, and project financial management tools

· Competent in reading and applying standard Australian construction and professional services contracts

· Experience in land development, infrastructure, water, or defence-related projects