About North East Link 

The Spark Consortium has been selected to deliver the Central Package of the North East Link Project - Victoria's biggest road project.

The Spark Consortium’s Design and Construction Contractor - which comprises Webuild, CPB Contractors, GS Engineering and Construction and China Construction Oceania - will deliver the twin three-lane tunnels and key interchanges for the project.

The Central Package will be delivered as a Public Private Partnership and provides three-lane twin tunnels that will close the missing link in Melbourne’s freeway network from the M80 Ring Road to an upgraded Eastern Freeway, reducing journey times and diverting heavy vehicles away from local roads. Up to 135,000 vehicles will use North East Link every day, reducing congestion in the north-east while maintaining local roads.

About the Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Area Manager to lead the successful delivery of civil scope in our Northern Surface Works team. The role is accountable for driving best-for-project outcomes across all key areas — ensuring excellence in safety, quality, technical delivery, schedule, and commercial performance.

This position plays a pivotal leadership role within the project team, overseeing civil construction activities related but not limited to earthworks, drainage, roadworks, and ITS infrastructure.

This role will be accountable for:

• Lead a team of engineers, promoting collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Coordinate on-site construction with the Site Superintendent to maintain productivity and compliance
• Act as the key liaison between project teams and subcontractors, ensuring clear communication and efficient delivery
• Manage workloads and provide technical and administrative guidance to site and engineering teams
• Oversee civil works documentation, handover, and compliance with project plans and specifications
• Plan, monitor, and drive construction programs to meet deadlines and quality targets
• Track progress, review schedules, and implement corrective actions to maintain performance
• Prepare and review cost forecasts, progress summaries, and reports for financial decision-making
• Conduct Risk and Opportunity analyses to minimise risks and maximise project outcomes
• Verify field data accuracy, including productivity, costs, and subcontractor claims
• Audit and maintain construction documentation (SWMS, ITPs, WEMPs, WTMPs, etc.)
• Manage subcontractor performance and resolve disputes to ensure timely, cost-effective delivery
• Support program reviews and continuous improvement through data-driven feedback

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related discipline

Minimum requirements for this role:

• 10+ years’ post-graduate engineering experience with a track record delivering large-scale civil projects ($50M+)
• Proven success leading multidisciplinary teams and subcontractors on Tier 1 projects
• Strong technical expertise across earthworks, drainage, roadworks, and ITS infrastructure
• Solid grasp of project controls, contracts, risk, and commercial management
• Confident using project management software and data to drive performance
• Sharp problem-solver with strategic thinking and analytical skills
• Excellent communicator and collaborator who builds strong stakeholder relationships
• Committed to safety, quality, and continuous improvement — delivering projects on time and on budget

What we Offer:

• Ongoing career support and development opportunities
• Generous parental leave
• Strong culture charter
• Quarterly social events
• Reward and recognition program
• Flexible working arrangements
• Competitive salary

If this opportunity is of interest to you, please click on the ‘Apply now’ button to register your interest and please also subscribe to ‘Job Alerts’ to be notified of upcoming opportunities with SPARK.

Whilst we are keen to hear from candidates with proven infrastructure project experience or experience working for a Tier 1 or Tier 2 Contractor to be a part of an iconic construction project in Melbourne, Victoria, we also will consider applicants who are seeking to enter or re-enter the industry.

SPARK is committed to equal employment opportunity (EEO) and actively seeks to remove barriers people may face in gaining a successful position on the North East Link Central Package. We value diversity, inclusion and equity through providing a working environment where all employees feel included, valued, and free to bring their different skills, experiences and perspectives.