Project Manager (Contract) – Systems and PLC Upgrades

  • Hunter Valley NSW

Location: Hunter Region, NSW
Employer: PPM
Employment Type: Contract
Reports To: Manager – Capital Project Development
Team Size: 1–3 indirect reports

About the Role
PPM is currently seeking an experienced Project Manager (Contract) to lead a suite of critical PLC and control systems upgrade projects at a major NSW-based power generation facility. This role is key to ensuring the safe, efficient, and standards-compliant delivery of engineering works essential to ongoing site operations.

The successful candidate will coordinate cross-disciplinary teams through all phases of the project lifecycle—from planning and design, through fabrication and construction, to commissioning and handover—while operating within PPM’s structured Project Management Framework.

Key Responsibilities

  • Ensure Health, Safety & Environmental (HS&E) systems are embedded across all project activities.
  • Review, approve, and manage engineering designs including civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical systems.
  • Interpret and assess comprehensive design packages to identify best-practice solutions.
  • Evaluate and endorse contractor construction methodologies pre-execution.
  • Coordinate civil, mechanical, and electrical contractors during construction phases.
  • Engage proactively with internal stakeholders and support services to ensure alignment on schedule, cost, quality, and risk.
  • Manage system testing and commissioning, ensuring compliance with Australian Standards and Codes.
  • Collaborate with O&M and Outage Teams to integrate new assets into operational workflows.
  • Lead a multi-disciplinary project team from design through to commissioning.
  • Maintain accurate documentation of project scope, costs, risks, timelines, and technical data.
  • Control capital expenditure, track forecasts, and ensure alignment with approved budgets.
  • Maintain strong stakeholder communication to enable effective decision-making and delivery.
  • Apply proactive risk mitigation strategies to maintain progress and resolve constraints.
  • Execute all activities in accordance with PPM’s Project Management Framework.

    Qualifications & Experience

  • Minimum 10 years’ experience delivering complex industrial or process plant upgrade projects up to $10 million.
  • Degree-qualified in Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical or related discipline) with eligibility for Engineers Australia membership.
  • Project Management qualification or certification (preferred).
  • Proven experience in industrial environments or large-scale process facilities.
  • Working knowledge of SAP and Microsoft 365 tools including MS Project.
  • Strong foundation in risk, cost, and quality management.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills across all organisational levels.
    Budget & Authority
    Operates within PPM’s Delegations of Authority and expenditure approval framework.
    Leads internal and external project resources to ensure cost control and project delivery within budget.

    Key Relationships
    Manager – Capital Project Development (Direct Supervisor)
    Senior Leadership across Engineering, Operations, Maintenance, and Finance
    PPM HS&E, People & Culture, and Project Stakeholders
    External contractors and delivery partners

    Why Join PPM?
    PPM is a trusted partner for delivering high-value capital projects across power, resources, and industrial sectors. We provide a strong team environment, robust governance frameworks, and a commitment to technical excellence and operational readiness.

    This is an opportunity to make a tangible impact on critical infrastructure while working with experienced professionals in a collaborative and safety-first environment.