Project Manager

• Project Manager (Fibre Infrastructure)
• End-to-end delivery across multi-year programs
• Competitive salary + strong superannuation

About AARNet

Australia’s Academic and Research Network (AARNet), founded in 1989, has played a pivotal role in shaping Australia’s digital landscape as the pioneers of the country’s Internet. Our mission extends beyond mere connectivity; we are the architects, builders, and operators of a world-class network infrastructure that fuels critical research and learning. At AARNet, innovation thrives within a vibrant community.

The Role: Project Manager (Fibre Infrastructure)

Due to a strong and growing pipeline of work, this is an opportunity to lead large-scale fibre infrastructure projects across multi-year timelines. Significant experience delivering large-scale linear infrastructure projects, particularly within telecommunications or similar environments is essential for success in this role.

You will take end-to-end ownership of projects, managing the full lifecycle from planning and approvals through to construction and handover. This role requires strong coordination across stakeholders, contractors, and approval pathways to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to quality and safety standards.

This role will proactively manage risk, drive approvals, and maintain clear governance across complex, multi-workstream environments. Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills will be critical to influencing outcomes and ensuring delivery success.

Key Responsibilities will include:

• Leading end‑to‑end delivery of long linear fibre projects from planning and approvals through to construction completion and handover.
• Managing multi‑year projects across geographically dispersed corridors, work fronts, contractors and delivery packages.
• Coordinating design development, planning pathways, environmental and heritage considerations, permits and approvals, construction sequencing, and service provisioning.
• Establishing and maintaining effective governance, reporting, and project control frameworks to ensure delivery certainty.
• Undertaking regular project analysis to monitor schedule, cost, risk, and value outcomes.
• Leading risk identification, assessment, and mitigation, including interdependencies, approvals‑related risks, and proactive mitigation strategies.
• Influencing delivery teams through clear communication and collaborative leadership.
• Managing reporting and stakeholder engagement across internal and external parties, including contractors, consultants, utilities, councils and regulators. 

Expertise, experience & qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience delivering long linear infrastructure projects in excess of 60km, within telecommunications, utilities, transport, or similar environments.
• Proven success managing multi‑year project delivery with staged or corridor‑based sequencing across the full project lifecycle, from planning and approvals through delivery, commissioning, and handover.
• Working knowledge or experience in environmental, heritage, or town planning, with the ability to work effectively with the relevant consultants, and approval authorities to progress approvals and manage delivery risk.
• Strong capability in schedule integration, critical path management and delivery across multiple contractors and workstreams.
• Sound commercial, contractual, risk management, and governance capability within complex stakeholder environments.
• Must be an Australian Citizen.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Planning, Environmental Management, Engineering, Project Management, or a related discipline.
• Professional project management certification desirable (PMP, PRINCE2, AIPM).
• Strong working knowledge of project controls tools such as Planner, Jira and Excel-based forecasting models.

Why Work at AARNet?

At AARNet, we’re passionate about advancing global education and critical research. Our Australia-wide network, with global reach, supports some of the most demanding network-based applications. If you’re looking for a purpose-driven workplace where you can make a difference, consider joining our team.

Make an impact: By working with us, you’ll directly contribute to critical research in fields like astronomy, physics, earth observation, environment, health, and medicine. Our mission matters, and we’re committed to providing equal opportunities for all.

 Competitive Benefits and Conditions:

• Superannuation: Enjoy a 17% superannuation contribution.
• Parental/Adoption Leave: We offer 24 weeks of paid parental leave and superannuation top-up.
• Secondary Carer Leave: 16 weeks of paid parental leave for secondary caregivers.
• Wellness Leave: 2 days per month paid Women’s wellness leave.
• Family & Domestic Violence Leave: 20 days of paid leave.
• Other Supportive Leaves: Paid leave for various life events such as weddings, deaths, trauma, and disasters.
• Purchased Leave: Options to purchase additional Annual Leave.
• Flexible Work Options: We support work-life balance.
• Equal Opportunity Focus: We value diversity and inclusion.
• Social Responsibility and Ethics: We lead by example.
• Cutting-Edge Technologies: Access to work with the latest industry technology.