Operational Readiness Lead

About Inland Rail

Inland Rail Pty Ltd is delivering a 1,600km freight line that is transforming how goods are moved around Australia. When fully operational, Inland Rail will connect Melbourne to Brisbane via regional Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. As one of the largest infrastructure projects in Australia, Inland Rail is helping to address the nation’s future freight needs and meet the demands of our growing population.

Delivering Inland Rail will help shift more goods onto rail which means safer, less congested roads and fewer emissions and a more resilient and sustainable national freight network.

More information relating to the project can be found here: Inland Rail

About the opportunity

Operational Readiness Lead
Location: NSW (any location) | Work Type: Permanent / Hybrid with minimal travel to regional NSW

Be part of a nationally significant infrastructure program transforming freight across Australia. Inland Rail is seeking an Operational Readiness Lead to oversee operational readiness and completions across enhancement and greenfield delivery packages between Albury and Narromine.
In this role, you’ll lead the coordination of project phase gates, asset management, and quality assurance activities, ensuring alignment with Inland Rail and ARTC standards. You’ll work across multiple technical disciplines, liaising with internal and external stakeholders to track deliverables, support audits, and ensure smooth commissioning and handover.

Key Responsibilities may include:

  •  Lead interface coordination for asset management and quality across delivery packages
  • Manage phase gate documentation and reporting
  • Review contractor submissions for operational readiness and compliance
  • Support configuration change management and continuous improvement
  • Conduct site inspections and contribute to audit and compliance processes

About you

To succeed in this role, you will demonstrate strong negotiation and liaison skills across Inland Rail & ARTC teams, ensuring timely delivery that meets cost and quality standards. self-imposing standards of excellence rather than having standards imposed.

Additionally, you will bring:

  • Proven experience in asset management, operational readiness, and configuration control within a rail or infrastructure environment
  • Awareness of work health and safety principles and relevant rail safety legislation
  • Strong organisational, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work confidently across multidisciplinary teams
  • A valid Class C Driver’s Licence
  • Proficiency with asset management systems such as Ellipse (Desirable)
  • Advanced knowledge of railway renewals and/or construction (Desirable)

What you’ll be joining

  • You will join one of the largest infrastructure programs in Australia.
  • This project will generate thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in local investment, boosting regional economies and communities right along the alignment.
  • Inland Rail is proud to have over 40% female representation and we would like to see these numbers grow.
  • Inland Rail is an Agile working environment in our State-of-the Art office embracing flexible working conditions.

Our Organisation and Culture

The values that drive us and the work we deliver in the program incorporate Collaboration, Accountability, Respect and Excellence.  We welcome like-minded individuals who value our culture.

At Inland Rail, we celebrate, support, and thrive on attracting people from all horizons and walks of life for the benefit of our employees, our program, and our community. Inland Rail is proud to be an equal opportunity and an affirmative action employer. We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates to submit their details to us.

All employment is decided based on suitability to the role, cultural fit, merit, and business needs.

Apply Now

If this opportunity sounds like the challenge you have been looking for please apply online today.

As part of the application process, you will be required to undergo pre-employment criminal history, reference and medical checks, including drug and alcohol testing. Inland Rail is a drug and alcohol-free working environment.

Please note that applications are reviewed from point of advertising so don’t delay your application.

Date posted: October 23, 2025
Closing date: November 23, 2025

Sydney Permanent - Full-time
Apply now