Executive Director, Planning & Environmental, Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line – Department of Transport & Main Roads, QLD

Executive Director, Planning & Environmental

Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line project

Be part of history and help shape one of Queensland’s most iconic infrastructure legacies!

The Queensland Government is delivering the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Project (DSC). This is a transformational infrastructure project comprising a new passenger rail line that will revolutionise how people connect between the Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay and Brisbane. With the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games on the horizon, this project will leave a lasting legacy for generations to come. As Executive Director, Planning & Environmental, you’ll be a key part of the government leadership team responsible for shaping this iconic project. Reporting to the Project Director, you’ll be responsible for leading the team working with key stakeholders to gain approvals during the development and procurement stages of the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line project. This role will oversee critical path activities related to environment, cultural heritage, local heritage, sustainability and property, and interface with other key government agencies and stakeholders. This role will then oversee the teams responsible for ensuring that these conditions are implemented across the project throughout delivery.

About the Role

• Lead and manage multidisciplinary teams to deliver approvals and engagement activities aligned with industry best practice.
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement with all levels of government, Traditional Owners, and key community groups.
• Ensure integration of approvals workstreams with the broader project schedule, milestones, and feedback loops.
• Foster a high-performance, inclusive team culture, supporting continuous learning and psychological safety.
• Oversee communications, reporting, and governance, acting as a key point of contact for stakeholders throughout project delivery.

This is a rare opportunity to:

• Deliver one of the longest new rail spurs in South East Queensland.
• Support better housing and economic growth in one of Australia’s fastest-growing regions.
• Help connect communities, safely, efficiently and sustainably, in time for the global spotlight of the 2032 Games.

You’ll be part of a high-performing, inclusive, and passionate team making a meaningful difference to the lives of Queenslanders.

About You

You are a seasoned executive leader with experience in:

• Extensive demonstrated experience in navigating, managing and monitoring complex stakeholder engagement activities and approvals pathways on a major infrastructure project.
• A highly collaborative approach to project management with demonstrated experience managing, liaising and successfully working with a range of government and non-government stakeholders including industry, community, First Nations people and interest groups (internal and external to the Project team) to achieve best-for- project outcomes.
• Demonstrated expert experience executing approval strategies.
• Proven ability to work successfully in an executive leadership role in an environment with complex governance arrangements to deliver high quality stakeholder, governance, executive correspondence and reporting materials and outcomes.
• Proven experience in successfully leading and mentoring a team ensuring appropriate capability to ensure all members contribute to a culture of collaboration, respect, inclusion and psychosocial safety as well as delivering high-quality outcomes within accelerated timeframes.

Preferred applicants will hold a degree in Urban Planning, Environmental Science, or related engineering field.

Location: Brisbane CBD or Sunshine Coast

Remuneration & Conditions

Salary: $241,582–$261,057 p.a. (inc super)

Term: 5-Year Fixed Term Executive Contract

Classification: SES2 High

Contact

For a confidential discussion, or for more information about this role, contact Martin Hale, Director – Bradfield Associates 0410 908837. Alternatively, please send your resume and cover letter to martin.hale@bradfieldassociates.com.au