Title:  Design Change Lead

Ready to make your impact?

Not just through the infrastructure we operate, but through the way we show up for each other, our customers’ and our communities. The future of energy is in our hands. Let’s shape it together.

Ready to extend your growth? This role plays a critical part in the work we do. 

As the Design Change Lead, you will be responsible for the governance, control and successful delivery of all engineering, design and scope changes across the Western Renewables Link project.

Working within a complex EPC delivery environment, you will lead the end-to-end Design Change Management Framework, ensuring all contractor and owner-initiated changes are identified, assessed, approved, implemented and closed in a controlled and transparent manner.

This is a critical role at the centre of the project, partnering with EPC Contractors, Design Partners, the Project Delivery Team and key stakeholders to manage change risks, optimise outcomes and support informed decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.

You bring experience working in complex project environments where managing engineering, design and scope changes is critical to project success. You are confident navigating competing stakeholder priorities, assessing risks and driving effective governance outcomes while maintaining a focus on cost, schedule and project objectives.

If you enjoy working at the intersection of engineering, project delivery, governance and stakeholder engagement, this is an opportunity to make a significant impact on a project that will help shape Victoria's energy future.

Please note: This role operates on a hybrid working model, with a minimum of three days per week based in our Flinders Street office. Occasional travel to Western Victoria and our Ballarat office will also be required.

What you’ll be doing in this role:

• Own, implement and continuously improve the WRL Design Change Management Framework, procedures, systems and governance processes.
• Establish and maintain robust controls to ensure all engineering, design and scope changes are managed in accordance with contractual requirements, project governance and delegated authorities.
• Ensure compliance with the Incentivised Target Cost Delivery Deed and all associated change management obligations.
• Lead the management and governance of all EPC Contractor initiated design changes.
• Review, challenge and validate contractor change proposals to ensure technical, commercial and delivery impacts are fully understood and appropriately managed.
• Ensure EPC Contractor compliance with approved Design Change Management procedures and contractual requirements.
• Chair or facilitate Design Change Boards and governance forums.
• Prepare recommendations and decision papers for senior project leadership team.
• Ensure changes are escalated and approved in accordance with delegations of authority.
• Provide expert advice to senior project leadership team regarding design change risks, opportunities and commercial implications.
• Ensure design change risks are identified, assessed and integrated into project risk management processes.
• Work closely with Commercial, Project Controls and Delivery teams to manage the contractual and financial consequences of design changes.
• Support resolution of contractor claims arising from design development and change events.
• Influence stakeholders to ensure timely assessment, approval and implementation of changes.

You don’t need to check every box, however we’re looking for a good combination of:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Construction Management or related field.
• Minimum 10-15 years' experience in engineering, project delivery, design management or change management within major infrastructure, energy, utilities, transmission, mining, rail or transport projects.
• Demonstrated experience managing engineering and design change processes on projects exceeding $500M in capital value.
• Significant experience working within EPC, EPCM or Alliance delivery environments.
• Strong understanding of project controls, risk management, contract administration and commercial management principles.
• Proven experience managing contractor-initiated design changes and associated governance processes.
• Demonstrated ability to challenge and validate contractor submissions and technical change proposals.
• Experience facilitating executive governance forums and presenting recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of engineering design development, constructability and project delivery methodologies.
• Advanced stakeholder engagement and influencing skills across technical, commercial and executive audiences.
• Experience establishing and improving project change management systems and frameworks.
• Exceptional analytical, negotiation and problem-solving capabilities.

The AusNet experience is all about…

• Growing your impact: We’ll support you to build your career through real opportunities and strong connections.
• Solving some of the most complex energy challenges of our time: We love unpacking complex challenges in clever ways and looking at things differently.
• Being apart a team that cares deeply about each other: We share in the good times. We support in the tough times. And we’re humble through and through.

We’re committed to building an inclusive culture and a diverse workforce. We believe different perspectives are essential to our success, and we encourage all applicants to apply. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, we're happy to discuss how we can support you.

AusNet. We bring the energy. Want to be part of it too? Apply now.