Operations Manager (Owners Representative)

This QLD state department is seeking an experienced Operations Manager (Owner’s Representative) to provide operational governance and assurance for the first-of-its-kind critical minerals processing facility. Acting as the Queensland Government’s on-site representative, you will work closely with operators, contractors and stakeholders to ensure safe, reliable and effective operations while supporting the facility through commissioning and early operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the Owner’s Representative, translating owner, contractor and customer requirements into clear operational expectations.
• Establish and maintain the operational governance and assurance framework for early operations.
• Drive performance through structured governance, reporting and decision-making processes.
• Define and verify compliance with safe and repeatable operating standards, including permit-to-work and isolation processes.
• Lead operational and campaign readiness reviews and provide recommendations for go/no-go decisions.
• Provide on-site oversight of high-risk activities and ensure critical controls are effectively implemented.
• Foster strong operating discipline, performance routines and timely close-out of actions and commitments.
• Monitor operational performance indicators and ensure continuous improvement actions are implemented and verified.
• Maintain robust Management of Change (MOC) processes and asset configuration records.
• Support long-term asset reliability and maintainability through sound asset management practices.
• Chair performance, defect and improvement forums to drive accountability and operational availability.
• Manage relationships with operators, contractors, suppliers, advisors and customers, providing high-quality advice and briefings.
• Support commercial activities including contract development, procurement and stakeholder engagement.

Successful Candidate

Technical and Operational Experience

• Significant experience in an Owner’s Representative, operations leadership or operational assurance role within resources, minerals processing or other hazardous industrial environments.
• Demonstrated experience supporting commissioning, start-up or early operations of processing facilities.
• Strong understanding of operational governance, risk management, Management of Change and asset integrity principles.
• Practical experience verifying critical controls and making risk-based decisions.
• A strong asset management and reliability mindset with a focus on lifecycle performance.

Leadership and Planning Capability

• Proven ability to establish operating discipline, performance routines and accountability frameworks in complex environments.
• Experience managing multiple interfaces and influencing outcomes without direct line authority.
• Strong project management and operational planning capability.

Stakeholder and Commercial Skills

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to prepare clear reports and advice for senior stakeholders.
• Proven ability to build and maintain effective relationships across multiple organizations.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience in contract management, procurement and stakeholder engagement.
• Ability to analyze information, identify opportunities and drive improvements in an evolving operational environment.

Qualifications And Requirements

• Current open C Class Driver License.
• Construction White Card.
• Australian citizenship, permanent residency or valid work rights in Australia.
• Willingness to travel as required.
• Ability to successfully complete criminal history and conflict of interest checks.

This role offers a unique opportunity to play a key role in establishing and governing operations for a strategically important critical minerals facility and contribute to Queensland’s growing advanced manufacturing and resources sector.

Send your resume through to:***email_hidden*** & give me a call on 0466 265 446 today to discuss this role in further detail.