Project Manager / Design Manager - Transport

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Project Manager / Design Manager - Transport

Company: Mott MacDonald

Location: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Project Management / Design Management (Transport Infrastructure)

Date Posted: August 16, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end delivery of complex highway and road infrastructure projects, encompassing planning, design, procurement, construction, and close-out phases.

• Manage and mentor multidisciplinary teams, fostering collaboration across civil, structural, geotechnical, and digital engineering disciplines.

• Drive strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and contract administration to ensure projects meet scope, budget, and quality expectations.

• Champion the adoption of digital engineering tools and methodologies, including BIM and ProjectWise, to enhance design data management and workflow efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within the Transport Infrastructure sector, specifically focusing on highways and roads. The dual title of Project Manager/Design Manager indicates a strong emphasis on both the overarching project execution and the technical integrity of the design process. The company's growth in the "Highways Alliance and Design & Construct market" suggests a need for individuals who can manage client relationships and delivery within these collaborative frameworks, often involving contractors and PPPs.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Oversee the full project lifecycle of highway and road infrastructure projects, from initial concept and strategic planning through to detailed design, procurement, construction, and final project close-out.

• Develop and maintain comprehensive project schedules, utilizing tools such as Primavera P6, to ensure timely milestone achievement and proactive risk mitigation.

• Manage client relationships and engage with key stakeholders, including contractors, consultants, and internal teams, to facilitate alignment, secure buy-in, and ensure timely decision-making processes.

• Administer project contracts, manage compensation events, and maintain rigorous commercial reporting and budget control throughout the project duration.

• Ensure strict adherence to all relevant safety, environmental, and regulatory standards, embedding a culture of compliance and governance across project execution.

• Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary engineering teams, including civil, structural, geotechnical, and digital specialists, promoting a collaborative environment for effective project delivery.

• Leverage digital engineering tools, such as ProjectWise and BIM platforms, to effectively interrogate, manage, and deliver digital design data and workflows.

• Contribute to the growth and capability building of the Highways team through mentoring junior engineers and facilitating knowledge sharing via platforms like the Highways Academy.

• Implement robust quality assurance processes, including team selection, competency management, and meticulous verification of design requirements against project scope.

• Apply lessons learned from project execution to continuously improve planning, delivery, and governance processes across the business unit.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly delineate a senior role requiring both strategic oversight and hands-on management of complex infrastructure projects. The emphasis on "design management offering" and "embedding technical excellence" highlights the need for a candidate with a strong technical foundation in highways engineering, coupled with project leadership skills. The mention of "Design & Construct market" and "contractors, PPP’s or Alliances" points towards experience in project delivery models beyond traditional design consulting.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or an equivalent qualification is required. Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in the delivery of transport infrastructure engineering, specifically within design for construction contractors, Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), or Alliances.

• Demonstrated success in managing complex design interfaces and leading multidisciplinary teams on significant infrastructure projects.

• Proven ability to understand and meet key technical requirements, and to identify deliverables and outcomes essential for fulfilling client scopes. Required Skills:

• Project Management: Comprehensive understanding of project lifecycle management, scope control, and delivery execution.

• Design Management: Expertise in overseeing and coordinating complex design processes, ensuring technical integrity and constructability.

• Highways Design & Construction: In-depth knowledge of principles, standards, and best practices in road and highway engineering.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with clients, contractors, consultants, and internal teams.

• Contract Management: Experience in administering contracts, managing variations, and ensuring commercial compliance.

• Programme Management: Proficiency in developing, managing, and tracking project schedules, ideally with experience in Primavera P6.

• Multidisciplinary Team Leadership: Demonstrated capability to lead, motivate, and coordinate diverse technical teams.

• Digital Engineering Tools: Familiarity and practical experience with tools like ProjectWise and BIM platforms for design data management.

• Quality Assurance: A diligent approach to implementing and overseeing quality control and assurance processes.

• Strategic Planning: Ability to contribute to long-term project and business unit strategy.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with specific Australian transport infrastructure project delivery models (e.g., Alliances, Design & Construct).

• Familiarity with client and stakeholder requirements unique to Australian transport projects, including stage gates and comment close-out processes.

• Advanced knowledge of digital engineering workflows and their application in large-scale infrastructure projects.

• Experience in mentoring and developing junior engineering talent within a consulting or contracting environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 10+ years of experience specifically in "delivery of Transport infrastructure engineering for design for construction contractors, PPP’s or Alliances" is a critical differentiator. This suggests the role is not a pure client-side project manager but one that understands the contractor or alliance partner perspective, focusing on design for constructability and delivery within specific commercial frameworks.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate successful project delivery through case studies showcasing the management of complex highway and road infrastructure projects from inception to completion.

• Provide evidence of strategic planning and stakeholder engagement, highlighting successful collaboration with clients, contractors, and multidisciplinary teams.

• Showcase experience in contract administration and commercial oversight, with examples of budget control and successful management of compensation events.

• Illustrate proficiency in programme management, detailing the use of scheduling tools like Primavera P6 to achieve project milestones and mitigate risks.

• Include examples of implementing and managing digital engineering workflows, particularly with ProjectWise and BIM, to enhance design data management and collaborative delivery. Process Documentation:

• Documented workflows for managing the full project lifecycle, from initial planning and design coordination to construction oversight and project close-out.

• Examples of process optimization initiatives, detailing how lessons learned were applied to improve efficiency, quality, or safety in previous projects.

• Demonstrate a structured approach to quality assurance, including methodologies for team selection, competency assessment, and design verification.

• Evidence of risk management processes, including identification, assessment, and mitigation strategies for complex infrastructure projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates will likely be expected to present a portfolio that not only details project outcomes but also the processes and systems they employed to achieve those results. The emphasis on digital engineering and specific software (Primavera P6, ProjectWise, BIM) means the portfolio should highlight practical application and successful implementation of these tools in project delivery.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for Project/Design Managers with 10+ years of experience in Sydney's transport infrastructure sector, a competitive salary range is estimated between AUD $150,000 - $200,000 per annum, potentially higher for exceptional candidates with specialized expertise. This estimate considers the complexity of the role, the critical nature of transport infrastructure projects, and Mott MacDonald's standing as a leading global consultancy. Benefits:

• Agile Working Environment: Support for flexible work arrangements to promote work-life balance.

• Comprehensive Insurance: Coverage including Life Insurance, Personal Accident Insurance, and Salary Continuance Insurance.

• Employee Resource Groups: Access to various groups, such as the Inclusive Network for Women, fostering a sense of community and support.

• Health & Development: Annual Health Checks and ongoing professional development opportunities to support career growth.

• Mentorship & Learning: Opportunities to mentor junior staff and participate in internal knowledge-sharing platforms like the Highways Academy.

Working Hours:

• A standard full-time work week is anticipated, likely around 40 hours, with flexibility offered through an agile working environment. Specific daily hours may vary based on project demands and team coordination needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on Sydney's market rates for senior project management roles in the engineering and construction sector, and Mott MacDonald's typical compensation structures for experienced professionals. The benefits package emphasizes work-life balance and employee well-being, which are increasingly important for attracting and retaining talent in the operations and project management fields.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Engineering, Management, and Development Consultancy (Transport Infrastructure focus).

Company Size: Mott MacDonald is a large, global, employee-owned organization, employing thousands worldwide. This size provides access to extensive resources, global expertise, and diverse project opportunities.

Founded: Mott MacDonald was formed in 1989 through the merger of Mott, Hay and Anderson (founded 1902) and Sir M. MacDonald & Partners (founded 1924). This long history signifies stability, deep industry knowledge, and a legacy of delivering significant projects.

Team Structure:

• The role sits within the Roads and Highways team, which is experiencing growth in Australia. This team is part of Mott MacDonald's wider Transport division.

• The reporting structure will likely involve reporting to a Senior Manager or Director within the Transport Infrastructure unit, with direct leadership responsibility for project teams.

• Cross-functional collaboration is central, requiring close working relationships with civil, structural, geotechnical, digital engineering teams, as well as commercial and procurement departments. Methodology:

• Mott MacDonald emphasizes a data-driven approach to project delivery, leveraging analytics for performance tracking and decision-making.

• Workflow planning and optimization are key, with a focus on continuous improvement and the application of lessons learned.

• Automation and efficiency practices are encouraged, particularly through the adoption of digital engineering tools and advanced project management methodologies.

Company Website: https://www.mottmac.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: As an employee-owned company, Mott MacDonald likely fosters a culture of shared responsibility and commitment to excellence. The "brilliant people trusted to do brilliant things" slogan suggests a focus on autonomy, innovation, and high performance. The company's global presence and diverse project portfolio indicate a dynamic and challenging work environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior-level position, equivalent to a Principal or Lead Project/Design Manager within the transport infrastructure sector. It involves significant responsibility for project outcomes, team leadership, and potentially business development contributions.

Reporting Structure: The role reports into senior leadership within Mott MacDonald's transport division. The Project Manager/Design Manager will, in turn, lead project-specific multidisciplinary teams, which may include project engineers, design coordinators, and specialists.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct and substantial impact on revenue generation through successful project delivery, client satisfaction, and the growth of the design management offering within the Australian transport market. Effective project management and design leadership are critical for maintaining Mott MacDonald's reputation and securing future work.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to progress to Director-level roles, overseeing larger programs or business units, and taking on more strategic business development responsibilities.

• Specialization & Expertise: Deepen expertise in specific areas of highways design, project delivery models (e.g., Alliances, PPPs), or digital engineering.

• Global Mobility: Opportunities to work on international projects or relocate to other Mott MacDonald offices, leveraging the company's global network.

• Capability Building: Contribute to the development of Mott MacDonald's Highways Academy and internal knowledge-sharing initiatives, enhancing personal leadership and expertise.

📝 Enhancement Note: The dual nature of the role (Project Manager/Design Manager) offers a unique growth path, allowing individuals to develop expertise in both project execution and technical design governance. This blend is valuable for senior roles in complex infrastructure projects where technical challenges and project constraints are tightly intertwined.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Sydney and likely operates within a hybrid model. This suggests a blend of office-based collaboration and remote work, allowing for flexibility while maintaining team cohesion and access to office resources.

Office Location(s): The primary work location is Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Specific office details would need to be confirmed, but Mott MacDonald typically maintains modern, well-equipped office spaces designed to foster collaboration.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be collaborative, encouraging interaction among project team members and across different disciplines.

• Access to essential operations tools and technology, including project management software (Primavera P6), digital engineering platforms (ProjectWise, BIM), and standard office productivity suites, will be provided.

• Opportunities for regular interaction with operations teams, project stakeholders, and senior management will be frequent, facilitating knowledge sharing and problem-solving.

Work Schedule: A standard professional work schedule is expected, typically around 40 hours per week. The hybrid arrangement allows for flexibility in structuring the work week, accommodating project deadlines and personal needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "agile working environment" mentioned in the benefits section strongly implies a hybrid setup. This modern approach to work is designed to support employee well-being and productivity, which is particularly relevant for demanding project management roles.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Application review, focusing on alignment with experience requirements (10+ years in transport infrastructure, contractor/PPP/Alliance experience) and core skills.

• Technical Interview: Discussion of highways design principles, project management methodologies, and experience with complex infrastructure projects. Candidates may be asked to walk through specific project examples from their portfolio.

• Case Study/Problem-Solving: A potential exercise might involve a simulated project challenge, requiring the candidate to outline their approach to managing design interfaces, stakeholder conflicts, or schedule risks.

• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: Meeting with senior leadership and potential team members to assess leadership style, collaborative approach, and alignment with Mott MacDonald's values.

• Final Interview: May involve a more in-depth discussion of strategic contributions, business development potential, and final offer negotiation.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Project Impact: Clearly articulate the scale, complexity, and outcomes of the highway and road infrastructure projects managed. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., budget savings, schedule improvements, safety records).

• Showcase Process Expertise: Detail the specific project management and design management processes used, emphasizing how they contributed to project success. Include examples of managing design interfaces and multidisciplinary teams.

• Demonstrate Tool Proficiency: Provide concrete examples of using Primavera P6 for scheduling, and ProjectWise/BIM for digital engineering workflows. Explain how these tools facilitated project delivery.

• Address Contract & Commercial Acumen: Include examples of contract administration, commercial oversight, and managing compensation events.

• Tailor to Mott MacDonald: Research Mott MacDonald's current projects and strategic priorities in Australia. Frame your experience and portfolio items to demonstrate how you can contribute to their specific goals, particularly in the Highways Alliance and Design & Construct markets.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss your approach to managing risks and issues in large-scale infrastructure projects.

• Anticipate questions about leading and motivating multidisciplinary teams, especially in challenging project environments.

• Think about how you would handle conflicts between design requirements, construction constraints, and stakeholder expectations.

• Prepare examples of how you have driven continuous improvement in project delivery processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the dual title and the emphasis on "design management offering," expect interviewers to probe deeply into your technical understanding of highways design and your ability to manage the design process effectively, not just the project timeline and budget.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Project Management Software: Primavera P6 (explicitly mentioned for programme management), potentially Microsoft Project or similar for smaller-scale scheduling.

• Digital Engineering Platforms: ProjectWise (for document management, workflow automation, and collaboration on design data), BIM platforms (e.g., Revit, Navisworks) for design interrogation, clash detection, and visualization.

• Collaboration Tools: Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, or similar for day-to-day communication and document sharing.

• Standard Office Suite: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for reporting, documentation, and presentations.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Proficiency in using project management software for generating performance reports, schedule updates, and risk registers.

• Ability to interpret and present data related to project progress, budget adherence, and quality metrics.

• Experience with creating dashboards or reports for stakeholders, potentially using tools like Power BI or Tableau if integrated into Mott MacDonald's broader analytics suite. CRM & Automation:

• While not explicitly stated, experience with CRM systems for client relationship management and any workflow automation tools used within project delivery would be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Primavera P6, ProjectWise, and BIM platforms indicates these are critical technical skills for this role. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their practical experience and proficiency with these specific tools.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence: A commitment to high standards in all aspects of work, from technical design to project delivery.

• Collaboration: Working together as a global team, valuing diverse skills and experiences to achieve shared goals.

• Innovation: Continuously seeking opportunities to improve processes and methods, driven by a forward-thinking mindset.

• Integrity: Upholding ethical standards and building trust with clients, colleagues, and stakeholders.

• Employee Ownership: As an employee-owned company, there's likely an emphasis on shared success, accountability, and a collective drive for the company's growth and reputation.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional integration is paramount, requiring seamless collaboration between project managers, design engineers, construction teams, and digital specialists.

• A culture of open communication and feedback exchange is likely encouraged to facilitate effective problem-solving and continuous improvement.

• Knowledge sharing is actively promoted, with initiatives like the Highways Academy and internal platforms designed to disseminate expertise and best practices across the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's slogan "Brilliant people trusted to do brilliant things" suggests a culture that empowers individuals, values expertise, and expects high levels of performance and autonomy. The employee-owned model often fosters a strong sense of community and shared purpose.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Managing Complex Interfaces: Successfully coordinating diverse technical disciplines and ensuring seamless integration of design elements with construction realities on large-scale highway projects.

• Stakeholder Alignment: Navigating the expectations and requirements of multiple stakeholders, including clients, contractors, regulatory bodies, and internal teams, to ensure project success.

• Driving Digital Adoption: Championing and effectively implementing digital engineering tools and workflows within project teams to enhance efficiency and data management.

• Growth Market Dynamics: Contributing to the growth of Mott MacDonald's transport infrastructure business in Australia, which may involve adapting to evolving market demands and competitive landscapes.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Project & Design Management: Opportunities to refine skills in managing complex, high-profile infrastructure projects and leading sophisticated design processes.

• Digital Engineering Specialization: Deepen expertise in BIM, ProjectWise, and other digital tools through project work and potential training.

• Leadership Development: Access to leadership training programs and mentorship to cultivate skills for managing larger teams and strategic initiatives.

• Industry Engagement: Potential to represent Mott MacDonald at industry conferences, engage with professional bodies, and contribute to the broader transport infrastructure community.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents a significant opportunity to shape and grow Mott MacDonald's design management capabilities within a key market. This involves not only technical and project leadership but also strategic thinking about how the company can best serve its clients in the evolving transport infrastructure landscape.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex highway project you managed where you had to coordinate significant design interfaces. What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them using specific processes and tools?" (Focus on process, tools, and problem-solving).

• "How do you ensure effective stakeholder engagement and alignment on large-scale infrastructure projects with multiple parties involved, such as in an Alliance or PPP model?" (Focus on communication, negotiation, and relationship management).

• "Discuss your experience with digital engineering tools like ProjectWise and BIM. How have you leveraged these technologies to improve design delivery, collaboration, or quality assurance on past projects?" (Focus on technical application and impact). Company & Culture Questions:

• "Mott MacDonald is an employee-owned company. How do you see this model influencing team dynamics and project delivery, and how would you contribute to this culture?" (Focus on values alignment and collaborative spirit).

• "This role requires managing multidisciplinary teams. Describe your leadership style and how you foster collaboration and high performance among diverse technical professionals." (Focus on leadership and team dynamics).

• "Given our focus on growth in the Australian transport market, what strategic contributions do you believe you can make beyond project delivery?" (Focus on business development and strategic thinking). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio by project, clearly outlining the scope, your role, key challenges, solutions implemented (processes and tools), and measurable outcomes.

• Quantify Achievements: Use data to demonstrate your impact – e.g., schedule adherence percentages, budget savings, safety incident reduction, efficiency gains from digital tool adoption.

• Highlight Process & Tools: For each project, explicitly mention the project management methodologies, design management approaches, and specific tools (Primavera P6, ProjectWise, BIM) you utilized.

• Tell a Story: Frame your experience as a narrative that showcases your problem-solving abilities, leadership, and technical acumen. Explain why certain decisions were made and how they led to successful outcomes.

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize experience relevant to highways, road infrastructure, and delivery models like Alliances or Design & Construct.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be prepared to discuss your experience with Australian transport infrastructure specific delivery models. The role's emphasis on "design management offering" means showcasing your ability to influence and manage the design process itself, not just its project constraints.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Project Manager / Design Manager - Transport position:

• Submit your application through the Mott MacDonald careers portal via the provided URL.

• Tailor Your Resume: Customize your CV to highlight your 10+ years of experience in transport infrastructure, specifically mentioning your work with construction contractors, PPPs, or Alliances. Ensure keywords like "Project Management," "Design Management," "Highways," "Primavera P6," "ProjectWise," and "BIM" are prominently featured.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a selection of your most relevant projects. Focus on case studies that demonstrate your ability to manage complex design interfaces, lead multidisciplinary teams, and deliver projects on time and within budget. Be ready to articulate the processes and tools used.

• Research Mott MacDonald: Familiarize yourself with Mott MacDonald's global presence, their transport infrastructure projects in Australia, and their company values. Understand their approach to employee ownership and client engagement.

• Practice Interview Responses: Prepare to answer strategy, technical, and behavioral questions. Rehearse your portfolio presentation, focusing on clear communication of your achievements and methodologies.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.