Title:  Senior Commercial Program Manager

About Us

We create thriving places and connected communities. We bring together transport, planning, land use, precinct and policy functions in a single department to deliver the best outcomes for Victorians. 

Together with our portfolio agencies, we are responsible for planning, building, operating and maintaining Victoria’s transport, planning and land services for use by all. 

We foster a safe, inclusive and constructive place to work. 

Investment and Technology lead and manage the investment lifecycle; drives commercial advice & negotiations to facilitate reform; and enables core delivery through Finance, Procurement & Enterprise Technology.

The Commercial Transactions Team delivers commercial advisory services, project deal strategy, and end-to-end delivery, contract close out and transition support for transport services contracts. The Transition Team sits within Commercial Transactions and services key internal DTP clients, including the Transport Services Group.

About the Role

This is a 3-year Fixed Term Opportunity

Position Accountabilities

The Department of Transport and Planning (DTP), through Head, Transport for Victoria, has contracting relationships with our major tram and train operators, Yarra Trams and Metro Trains Melbourne, managed on behalf of the Victoria Government. The MR4 Train and Tram Franchise Agreements commenced in 2017, with MR5 Tram commencing in December 2024 and MR4 Train coming to term in late 2027. DTP has been comprehensively reviewing the State’s franchise agreements and undertaking the procurement for both the Tram and Train contracts (MR5 Tram and MR5 Train). In support of transitioning to new Franchise Agreements the Transition Team lead delivery of the Contract Close out, Transition and DTP Readiness workstreams.

The Senior Commercial Program Manager will play a pivotal role in delivering the MR4 Close out program, working collaboratively across Transport Services, the Transition Team, MR4 Franchisees and specialist departmental experts to drive key program objectives. This role requires a commercially astute, detail-focused and highly analytical program manager who can confidently juggle multiple priorities in a dynamic environment. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential, enabling effective engagement with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders. Drawing on advanced program management and commercial capability, you will oversee the MR4 Close out compliance program, validate delivery of contractual obligations, and guide end-of-term activities with the incumbent operator. Your contribution will be critical to ensuring a seamless and successful MR4 Close out.

Position Description, here PD Senior Commercial Program Manager

• Manage all aspects of assigned tasks under limited direction, ensuring MR4 Close out objectives are met.
• Develop and maintain positive and effective working relationships and ongoing communication,
• Effective program management and monitoring progress of assigned tasks.
• Deliver the MR4 Close out compliance assessments and activities. 
• Provide evidence-based recommendations to improve commercial outcomes.
• Provide advice and commercial insights on contract compliance and service delivery assessments.
• Update and augment financial and data models, reports and integrated dashboards using tools such as Power BI, Tableau or Excel to support decision making.
• Deliver procurement and management of external service providers.
• Preparation of briefing documents, proposals, reports, correspondence and submissions.
• Preparation of plans, frameworks and templates to support delivery of the program.
• Effective risk and issues management.
• Ensure external and internal environmental factors and relevant legislation, policies and protocols have been considered.

Key Selection Criteria
Success in this role relies will require a skilled professional who can translate strategy into well-structured programs that deliver measurable outcomes. You’ll establish clear governance, monitor progress and proactively manage risks to maximise project success. With strong commercial acumen, you assess value, optimise return on investment and make informed financial and procurement decisions that strengthen business performance. Your critical thinking enables you to anticipate issues, analyse problems from multiple perspectives and embed sustainable solutions that drive tangible results. You excel at building productive stakeholder relationships, understanding organisational context and aligning services with stakeholder needs. Adaptable and responsive, you adjust systems and priorities to meet evolving demands. Technically, you will lead project assurance for complex initiatives, providing comprehensive assessments and guidance. You’ll manage procurement contracts end-to-end to ensure performance, compliance and value for money, supported by analytics and continuous improvement. Your financial management expertise ensures sound modelling, risk controls and high-quality strategic advice.

Qualifications and Experience

• Tertiary qualification in commerce, law, finance, economics, business management or proven extensive experience (mandatory).
• Demonstrated project/program management experience in a complex stakeholder environment, ideally within government or public sector. (mandatory)

Culture Value

We welcome applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds representing the community that we serve, including veterans, parents, carers, First Peoples, people with disability, multicultural, multifaith and LGBTIQA+ individuals.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and high-performance culture. Through shared actions and behaviours aligned with our strategy and direction, we empower our people to thrive and meaningfully contribute to the department’s goals.

What we offer

Working at the Department of Transport and Planning provides people with the opportunity to contribute to creating thriving places and connected communities for all Victorians.

For further details please refer to Careers at the Department of Transport and Planning.

Pre-employment checks and employment conditions

All new appointments to the department will be subject to a National Criminal Records Check, Misconduct Screening, and a Qualification Check where there is a requirement for a mandatory qualification. Information provided to the Department of Transport and Planning will be treated in the strictest confidence consistent with the requirements of the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014.

Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa necessary for the nature of the position.

Recipients of Victorian Public Service (VPS) voluntary departure packages should note that re-employment restrictions apply.

Non-VPS applicants will be subject to a probation period of six months.

How to apply

Click the ‘Apply’ button to be redirected to our recruitment platform, where you may need to create an account to submit your application.

If you encounter any issues, refer to our Quick Reference Guide for step-by-step instructions.

Applications close at 11.59pm on Sunday 11 January 2026.

Please include both your resume and a cover letter. All applications must be submitted via the online portal, we’re unable to accept email or manual submissions.

For further information about the role, please contact Associate Director, MR4 Close out, Sue-Anne Hine, sue­-anne.hine@transport.vic.gov.au

Important Information:

If you require any adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process, or need the advert or attachments in an accessible format (e.g., large print), please contact us by phone or email.