We currently have an opportunity for a Head of Technical Authority. Join our Zero Harm team and play a key role in shaping technical excellence, ensuring asset management and engineering best practices, and driving strategic innovation to enhance operational performance, sustainability, and long-term business success. Reporting to the General Manager, Zero Harm, you'll help deliver high-quality outcomes that support our essential services.

 

What You’ll Do

 

This role offers a broad scope, with key responsibilities including:

 

Define, own, and continuously improve technical standards, processes, and integrated services to support operational teams, ensuring alignment with strategic business goals. Drive capability improvement in Asset Management, Engineering, Maintenance, and Reliability, ensuring compliance with ISO55000 and best practices for infrastructure assets. Engage with internal and external stakeholders, including business leaders, government entities, private sector partners, and service delivery providers, to enhance technical capability and operational outcomes. Establish and oversee frameworks for technical risk management, compliance with Zero Harm principles, sustainability initiatives, and continuous improvement in asset lifecycle management. Design & Implement Technical Authority Competency Framework.

 

What You’ll Bring

 

Master’s degree in engineering or Bachelor’s degree. Expertise in Technical Services and Asset Management within the services industry, with a strong background in strategic organisational capability planning. Proven leadership in managing large service organisations, driving operational excellence, and fostering business growth. In-depth expertise in Asset Management systems (ISO55000), risk & opportunity management within complex business environments. Strong stakeholder management skills, with experience in government/commercial property and infrastructure, outsourcing, and complex contract management, including PPPs. Exceptional technical problem-solving, financial management, and project management capabilities, coupled with the ability to mentor and develop asset management teams.

 

More than anything, you’ll bring a strong work ethic, a positive attitude, and a commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes for our clients.

 

Why Downer?

At Downer, we plan, create, and sustain essential public services across Australia and New Zealand. From hospitals to data centres and defence partnerships, we manage critical infrastructure that keeps communities thriving.

 

What It Means to Belong at Downer

We’re proud of our high-performance culture and commitment to diversity, offering:

Training and development to support and diversify your career.  With 30% of vacancies filled internally you’ll find real opportunities to advance your career. Perks@Downer: healthcare discounts, great savings on retail purchases, car purchases and much more. Employee Assistance Program: professional support for you and your family when you need it most.

 

Downer Group is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, including First Nations people and those from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.