Program Director - ETCS

You’ll connect Queensland. We’ll connect you to an amazing career.  

Our team of over 7,500 and our customers are central to everything we do, we have a proud history as a safe and reliable railway operator, with a commitment to ensuring that our operating systems reflect the highest standards. Queensland Rail inspires innovative thought, passionate motivation, teamwork, and forward thinking, where our people can achieve their own career aspirations.

Why Queensland Rail?

We will provide you with an exciting and diverse career opportunity to join a company that continues to strive in the delivery of a modern and world-class railway provider, you will be able to lead and apply your innovative thoughts to enhance our rail network.  For this role we also offer: 

• Highly competitive salary plus 12.75% super
• Opportunity to be part of a mega city project
• Join a rail industry leader
• Collaborative and engaged workplace and team environment.
• Genuine work life balance
• Free Citytrain travel to and from work and access to other free or discounted SEQ rail travel
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) providing employees with holistic and contemporary health and wellbeing programs.

About this role:

Working within Queensland Rail’s Major Projects division as the Program Director - ETCS, you will be working as part of the ETCS Alliance on a number of key legacy projects. You will provide technical leadership within a multi-disciplinary and multi-party environment, ensuring solutions are safe, compliant, and operationally effective.

This role is a permanent role based in Brisbane CBD.

You can expect some of your responsibilities to include: 

• Participate as a member of the Major Projects SLT to provide senior leadership on key issues relating to the management and delivery of the CRR RIS and ETCS packages and other major programs of work.
• Lead and provide clear, timely advice, direction and development of Queensland Rail's program of works within an Alliance.
• Drive and manage the delivery of major programs of work within Major Projects Delivery, emphasising the strategic, efficient and effective use of resources to ensure beneficial outcomes for stakeholders.
• Act as point of accountability for resolving risks and issues through anticipating and addressing safety, legal, environmental and operational risks/issues and provide detailed reporting to the Program Director Major Projects Delivery outlining progress according to agreed deliverables, risk identification and mitigations.
• Build and maintain collaborative and constructive relationships with key stakeholders and strategically influence decision-making ensuring beneficial outcomes for Queensland Rail.
• Manage and lead engagement with key stakeholders for Design and Construction Planning scope development of major construction works to be delivered by QR.
• Lead contract reviews, TOC development and manage construction issues for the various projects.

What you can bring to the role:

• High level of executive leadership skills, strategic thinking and proven experience to deliver complex major infrastructure projects within a large and complex commercial brownfield/greenfield and alliance environment.
• Extensive knowledge of rail transport operations or similar industry and associated legislative and organizational governance principles relating to the design, implementation, contract negotiation and management of major infrastructure projects.
• High level of skill in strategic and innovative project delivery with the ability to manage multiple demands effectively through planning, prioritisation, risk identification, and management of commercial issues and contracts using disciplined project management practices to be able to meet tight deadlines utilising strong governance principles and requirements.
• High level of knowledge and experience in brownfield rail, rail civils, rail systems, signalling, communications and electrification.
• High level of skill in influencing and building credibility with CEO and Board, Executive leaders, senior managers and with external stakeholders.
• High level of skill to develop a high performing culture which motivates employees to align with the vision of Queensland Rail and collectively work to achieve desired results.

For further information on the role, click HERE  to read the position description

Progress that Counts 

Joining Queensland Rail means being part of an exciting future where you'll welcome millions of international passengers for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Our Cross River Rail project will transform travel across the South East Queensland network, doubling passenger journeys to 80 million over the next decade.  

To support this growth and enhance customer experiences, we're committed to key initiatives, including The Wave project for the Sunshine Coast along with Beerburrum to Nambour upgrade, building three new Gold Coastline stations, implementing the $5.75 billion Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail Project, introducing 65 new Next Generation Rolling Stock trains, improving station accessibility at eight main stations, boosting North Coast Line capacity and upgrading Central Station. 

Your journey matters. Make it with us. 

 
There has never been a more exciting time within Queensland Rail. We offer boundless opportunities to support your career today and for your future. 
 

Apply for our role via our website by clicking the apply button before 11.59pm Monday, July 20th, 2026
 
Applicants for roles at Queensland Rail may undergo pre-employment alcohol and drug testing if they advance in the recruitment process. The selection process may include psychometric assessments, pre-employment health checks and background screenings, which could involve criminal history and credit checks.  

To learn more about this career opportunity, please contact James Conlan via email at james.conlan@qr.com.au  

We’re a team of thousands and we’re proud of our individual journeys and stories. And as we grow, we need more diverse backgrounds and perspectives than ever before. We are committed to facilitating a barrier-free recruitment process and work environment. If you require any accommodations, we welcome you to let us know so we can work with you to participate fully in our recruitment experience.