Planning and Controls Manager

About the Opportunity

Austal Ships is seeking an experienced Planning & Controls Manager to lead the planning, scheduling and project controls function for the shipbuilding scope of major Defence programs.

Reporting into senior project leadership, this role is accountable for establishing and maintaining an integrated planning and controls framework that underpins delivery certainty across engineering, procurement, production, test and commissioning activities.

Operating within a Defence prime / subcontractor environment, the role requires strong governance discipline, commercial awareness, and the ability to translate complex shipbuilding activity into clear, defensible schedules, forecasts and performance insights for both internal leadership and Defence-facing stakeholders.

This is a senior role with real influence over how shipbuilding performance is planned, measured, reported and assured.

About Austal

Austal is Australia’s global shipbuilder, Defence prime contractor; and maritime technology partner of choice. We design, construct, and support defence and commercial vessels for the world’s leading operators with operations spanning Australia, the USA, Philippines, and Vietnam.

Under the Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement, Austal is leading a new era of continuous naval shipbuilding in Western Australia. We’re driving innovation, supporting sovereign capability, and creating long-term opportunities for Australian industry and workers.

Learn more at austal.com/ssa

This is your opportunity to contribute to projects of national significance. The maritime is now.

Key Accountabilities

• Own the development and maintenance of the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) for the shipbuilding scope, aligned to contractual milestones and Defence reporting requirements.
• Ensure engineering, procurement, production, outfitting, test and commissioning plans are fully integrated, logic-driven and resource-aware.
• Provide schedule assurance, critical path analysis, scenario modelling and recovery planning.
• Establish and maintain robust project controls standards, processes and baselines in line with Defence contract expectations.
• Lead earned value management (EVM) or equivalent performance frameworks to provide objective insight into cost, schedule and productivity performance.
• Analyse trends, variances and risks, translating data into actionable recommendations for project leadership.
• Integrate schedule, cost and progress data to support accurate forecasting and Estimate at Completion (EAC) development.
• Work closely with finance and commercial teams to ensure alignment between physical progress, cost performance and financial reporting.
• Support change management, impact assessments and subcontractor performance evaluation.
• Deliver clear, defensible reporting to senior management, Austal Defence interfaces, and external stakeholders as required.
• Support contractual compliance, audits and assurance activities associated with Defence programs.
• Act as a trusted advisor to the Project Director and shipyard leadership on delivery risk and performance outlook.
• Lead, mentor and develop planners, schedulers and project controls professionals within the shipbuilding team.
• Drive consistency, discipline and continuous improvement in planning and controls capability across the yard.
• Champion a culture of accountability, data integrity and delivery focus.

About You

• A tertiary qualification in Engineering, Project Management, Finance or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience leading planning and project controls functions within complex, asset-intensive environments (shipbuilding, defence, infrastructure, heavy manufacturing or similar).
• Strong working knowledge of Primavera P6, MS Project and ERP / cost control systems.
• Experience operating in Defence contracts or highly governed project environments, with an understanding of baseline control, change management and performance assurance.
• The ability to communicate complex delivery issues clearly and credibly to senior technical, commercial and executive stakeholders.
• Leadership presence – someone who can set standards, challenge assumptions and influence outcomes.
• (Australian citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a Defence security clearance may be required.)

Why Join Us?

• Competitive compensation and benefits package.
• Professional development and training opportunities.
• A supportive and dynamic work environment.
• Opportunities for career advancement within our growing organisation.

At Austal we are committed to providing a safe and inclusive work environment for all. We believe that achieving greater diversity will enhance our operations and as such we actively encourage Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders, people of all backgrounds, ages, sexual orientation, and those with Disability to apply.

Learn more at Careers at Austal Australia | Austal: Australia