Client Lead - Health and Veterinary Project Delivery

About the Role

We are looking for a seasoned Client Side Project Delivery Manager to act as our organisation's principal representative throughout the entire project lifecycle — from initial feasibility and design stages, through construction and handover, to final close-out phases. This role focuses on projects within the health and veterinary care sectors, requiring management of external consultants, contractors, and stakeholders to ensure projects are delivered timely, within budget, meeting quality and compliance standards. The ideal candidate has a deep understanding of construction and project delivery, combined with strong commercial, stakeholder, and risk management skills. You will be the key link for health professionals who depend on your expertise to simplify complex processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead business development initiatives aligned with organisational strategy.
• Maintain and develop partnerships with referral sources including financial institutions, brokers, and building partners relevant to health and vet care sectors.
• Represent the client across all project phases: feasibility, design, procurement, construction, and handover.
• Manage multiple property advisory projects simultaneously across healthcare and veterinary domains.
• Ensure an outstanding customer experience throughout clients’ project journeys.
• Create and oversee comprehensive project plans, budgets, schedules, and risk management registers.
• Supervise external consultants (architects, engineers, quantity surveyors) and contractors to meet scope, quality, time, and financial targets.
• Facilitate project control group meetings, design reviews, and progress updates.
• Administer procurement activities including tenders, contract negotiations, and appointment of consultants or contractors.
• Track project financials, cost forecasts, and variations, reporting thoroughly on performance against budgets.
• Review contract terms, manage claims or disputes to protect the client’s interests.
• Guarantee value-for-money across project phases.
• Act as primary communication channel between internal teams (executives, operations, end users) and external delivery providers.
• Identify and mitigate risks proactively; escalate issues when necessary.
• Manage regulatory approvals, planning permits, and compliance with state and local government requirements.
• Ensure all parties uphold Work Health and Safety (WHS) standards.
• Provide routine project progress reports to senior leadership or boards.
• Maintain meticulous project documentation and governance records.
• Support evaluations and learning after project completion.

Candidate Profile

Essential Experience and Skills:

• Minimum five years in project or delivery management, ideally as a client-side representative, owner's rep, or superintendent.
• Proven track record managing construction, fit-outs, infrastructure, or capital works projects in Australia.
• Thorough knowledge of Australian building regulations, planning approval workflows, and WHS legislation.
• Strong commercial skillset including budgeting, cost management, procurement, and contract administration with familiarity in AS4000, AS4902, or equivalent contracts.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills with ability to influence executive-level decisions.
• Robust risk management and analytical problem-solving abilities.

Desirable Qualifications and Attributes:

• Tertiary qualifications in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Quantity Surveying, or related fields.
• Project management certifications such as PMP or PRINCE2.
• Sector experience in health, education, retail, commercial fit-out, or infrastructure.
• Familiarity with BIM and project management platforms like Procore, Aconex, or MS Project.

Personal Characteristics:

• Commercially minded with a client-centric approach.
• Decisive under pressure.
• Keen attention to detail while maintaining strategic perspective.
• Collaborative team player skilled at managing senior stakeholders and contractors.

What We Offer

• Join a specialised and expanding consultancy delivering unique services nationally and potentially internationally.
• An engaging and varied role with significant autonomy.
• Involvement in strategic and impactful projects.
• Flexible working conditions.
• Competitive salary reflective of experience.
• Opportunity to influence healthcare and petcare sectors positively.