Permit to Work Commissioning Manager

Permit to Work Commissioning Manager

Torrens to Darlington Alliance

Adelaide SA

Full-time, Onsite

The Torrens to Darlington (T2D) Alliance, a partnership between John Holland, Bouygues Construction, Arcadis Australia, Jacobs, and Ventia, is undertaking South Australia's most significant road infrastructure project. In collaboration with the South Australian Government, the T2D Alliance will deliver the final 10.5km of the North-South Corridor, establishing a continuous 78km, non-stop, traffic-light-free motorway. This project aims to create a lasting legacy for Adelaide.

The T2D Project involves the construction of the Southern and Northern Tunnels, connected by an open motorway, spanning a total of 10.5km and scheduled for traffic in 2031. The scope includes tunnels, surface works, road and bridge construction, services buildings, and complex mechanical and electrical infrastructure. The T2D Alliance is dedicated to creating opportunities for local people, Aboriginal workers, apprentices, trainees, and the long-term unemployed, offering a chance to contribute to an iconic project.

The Role

We are seeking a highly capable Permit to Work Commissioning Manager to lead the development, implementation, and governance of the Permit to Work (PTW) system during critical commissioning and energisation phases. This role is essential for ensuring all high-risk works are safely planned, controlled, and executed in line with project procedures and compliance requirements. As the PTW subject matter expert, you will champion best practices in permit management, isolation controls, and work authorisation processes, fostering a strong Zero Harm culture across the project. Candidates with experience in major road tunnel, rail, or complex infrastructure projects will be highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Permit to Work framework across commissioning activities.
• Own and manage the end-to-end PTW lifecycle, ensuring permits and isolations are reviewed, approved, issued, monitored, and closed out effectively.
• Oversee all isolation, lock-out/tag-out (LOTO), energisation, and authority-to-work processes during commissioning.
• Manage and optimise the electronic PTW system, ensuring accurate registers, reporting dashboards, and documentation control.
• Lead and mentor Permit Control Officers and PTW personnel, driving capability, accountability, and high performance.
• Coordinate closely with engineering, construction, commissioning, operations, and subcontractor teams to safely manage concurrent high-risk works.
• Ensure all authorised permit holders and PTW personnel are trained, assessed, and competent in their assigned responsibilities.
• Conduct audits, inspections, and compliance reviews to ensure adherence to PTW procedures and safety requirements.
• Investigate permit breaches, isolation failures, or safety incidents, identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions.
• Provide expert technical guidance on high-risk activities including electrical energisation, live testing, confined space entry, and critical isolations.
• Support commissioning readiness reviews and milestone planning to ensure PTW processes align with project delivery and system handover requirements.
• Produce regular performance reports for project leadership, highlighting compliance, trends, key risks, and improvement opportunities.
• Champion a proactive safety culture and drive continuous improvement in PTW systems and operational controls.

About You

• Proven experience managing Permit to Work systems across major construction, commissioning, industrial, or infrastructure projects.
• Demonstrated experience on major road tunnel, rail, or other complex infrastructure projects, with exposure to commissioning and energisation activities highly regarded.
• Degree, Advanced Diploma, or Trade Qualification in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Trade, or a related discipline.
• Current Low Voltage and High Voltage electrical qualifications / authorisations (preferred).
• Strong working knowledge of WHS legislation, isolation management, Lock-Out Tag-Out, risk assessments, and control of work systems.
• Proven leadership experience managing PTW teams or operational personnel, with the ability to mentor, influence, and drive accountability across diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to build credibility across engineering, construction, commissioning, and contractor teams.
• Strong analytical, organisational, and problem-solving capability, with exceptional attention to detail and a proactive approach to safety and continuous improvement.

We Offer

Your success is our success, and as an Alliance, we are committed to being an employer of choice in Adelaide. We pride ourselves on fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.