"Associate Director, Engineering and Maintenance"

Creating a brighter future for life in the Tropics and beyond, through education and research that makes a difference locally, and globally, James Cook University (JCU) now has an exciting opportunity for an Associate Director, Engineering and Maintenance to join our team in the Estate directorate The position is full time, fixed term for 5 years.

• The position is full-time, and based at the Townsville Bebegu Yumba campus, Douglas.
• Relocation assistance may be considered for the successful candidate.
• A competitive remuneration package is on offer which includes up to 17% employer superannuation contributions, leave loading and an attractive base salary.

WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE ROLE

Your advanced engineering, asset management and operational leadership capability combined with your sound judgement and well‑established strategic mindset will position you as a trusted advisor to the University’s senior leadership. You will bring extensive experience overseeing complex engineering, maintenance and infrastructure services, supported by a strong understanding of whole‑of‑life asset performance, compliance obligations and risk management across a diverse portfolio.

Your ability to move confidently between long‑term strategic planning and day‑to‑day operational delivery will ensure you drive measurable and sustainable outcomes across JCU locations. Leveraging your deep expertise in financial oversight, lifecycle planning, contract management and commercial governance, you will ensure value-for-money, operational reliability and continuous service improvement.

Recognising that people are central to successful service delivery, you will demonstrate a genuine commitment to motivating, supporting and developing your team. Your leadership will foster a high‑performance, safety‑focused and customer‑centred culture across a geographically dispersed workforce and contractor network, ensuring staff feel empowered to contribute to outcomes that enhance the University’s operational effectiveness and strategic priorities.

Your ability to influence, collaborate and communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders including senior executives, technical specialists, contractors and external partners will further enhance JCU’s infrastructure resilience, sustainability performance and Smart Campus ambitions. Through your leadership, JCU will benefit from safe, compliant, efficient and future‑ready engineering and maintenance services.

WHAT YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH IN THE ROLE

In this senior leadership role, you will have the opportunity to shape the future of JCU’s engineering, maintenance and estate services by delivering exceptional operational performance across a complex and diverse asset portfolio. As a visionary and influential leader, you will drive the successful implementation of the University’s long‑term asset management and infrastructure strategies, ensuring JCU remains compliant, sustainable and financially responsible while managing significant multi‑million‑dollar budgets and commercial arrangements.

Building on your extensive experience in strategic facilities, engineering and maintenance leadership, you will lead multidisciplinary teams to deliver safe, reliable and high‑quality campus environments that support teaching, research and the student experience. Your ability to navigate the complexities of a large organisation balancing strategic priorities, regulatory obligations, operational realities and future‑focused planning will be central to achieving measurable and enduring outcomes.

Your influence will extend across the University as you foster strong, customer‑focused stakeholder relationships and provide high-level advice to senior leaders. By cultivating a culture of high performance, respect, inclusion and wellbeing, you will motivate and empower your teams both staff and contractors to deliver exceptional service outcomes. In doing so, you will play a critical role in shaping a safe, engaged and capable workforce that contributes meaningfully to the University’s strategic goals.

WHY JCU?

JCU offers a culturally diverse working environment with opportunities for professional and personal growth. Employee wellbeing is at the core of our values, and we support our people through the provision of flexible working conditions and many other exclusive benefits including;

• A generous superannuation scheme with up to 17% employer contributions with UniSuper
• 5 weeks of annual recreation leave
• 15 days of paid sick/personal/carers leave per year
• Flexible working options
• Attractive options for salary packaging
• Fitness Passport
• Employee Assistance Program
• Ongoing professional development support
• Staff study assistance
• Corporate discount on health insurance premiums
• Well-equipped campus facilities including medical, cafes, gym and childcare.

HOW TO APPLY AND CONTACT DETAILS

Are you ready to make a difference? Join us at JCU, where your future meets the tropics.

Click the ‘apply’ button to be redirected to the JCU careers page, create an applicant account and follow the steps below:

1. Complete the application form
2. Upload your current resume
3. Upload a cover letter outlining your relevant experience in relation to the key requirements of the role and how your skills and experience will ensure your success.

Applications close Sunday, 29th March at 11.55pm.

ABOUT OUR PROCESS

At JCU, we are committed to employing individuals who meet the requirements of the role and align with our values. All applicants will be contacted and advised of an outcome once the recruitment process is finalised.

Please visit our Information Privacy Policy to understand how your information is collected, stored, accessed and used.

WHAT MATTERS TO US AT JCU

• Our People - Our staff, students, and the communities we serve
• Our Education - Knowledge has the power to change lives
• Our Place – the Tropics and beyond
• Our Research – a catalyst for innovation and knowledge generation