Head of Systems Engineering, Assurance (SESA) & Risk

Job Description

Head of Systems Engineering, Assurance (SESA) & Risk Location 452 Flinders Street, Melbourne Employment Type Fixed Term Full Time Group Projects Job Code 705559

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• Lead and develop high-performing assurance, engineering and risk teams.
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• Shape the future of rail projects through strategic leadership.
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V/Line's purpose is to connect Victorians through safe, reliable, and accessible transport. We believe in giving all Victorians opportunities through travel and transport – connecting them to jobs, education, family and friends, services, tourism and trade.

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V/Line is experiencing significant growth and we're delivering more services, more trains, cheaper fares, and huge projects. With more than 3700 weekly train and coach services, an expansive freight network and unprecedented rail investment, millions of Victorians depend on us to deliver. You could be one of our 2700 committed team members who are up to the challenge.

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About the role

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The Projects Group is responsible for developing, delivering and assuring project-related changes and improvements across the regional rail network.

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The Group coordinates, integrates and delivers major projects and network change in a safe, collaborative and innovative manner, enabling V/Line to shape the improvement and modernisation of V/Line's regional transport service.

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The role of Head of Systems Engineering, Assurance (SESA) & Risk is responsible for the leadership of subject matter experts and key stakeholders involved in the production and delivery of systems engineering, systems assurance, and risk management activity related to enhancements of systems, infrastructure, and planning for network changes delivered across the V/Line Network.

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The role is crucial in readying the V/Line business for change and plays a key role in managing and ensuring the success of the Change Control Board. The role is a key to ensuring V/Line requirements are captured, incorporated and delivered by State Projects, and projects directly delivered by V/Line. Outward facing, this role is vital to create positive relationships with external clients and stakeholders.

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As well as performing duties specified in this position description an employee may be required to undertake other duties or functions consistent with their classification, capabilities, and skills.

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• Act as a key V/Line interface for the delivery of major State Projects (including Victoria's Big Build), fostering both key internal and external relationships.
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• Lead the systems engineering, systems assurance, and risk management teams, identifying development needs and building capability.
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• Act as a Subject Matter Expert on V/Lines Management of Change and Change Control process, driving best-practice and continuous improvement to reduce and minimise risk.
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• Ensure functional, technical, and operational needs are defined, monitored and delivered through clear requirements definition and management processes.
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• Ensure progress at readiness and change control stage gates is reviewed and processes are followed for the escalation of issues and recommendations as required.
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• Provide guidance to V/Line Change Control Board on the risk profile of project related network changes, including quantitative and qualitative residual risk profiling.
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• Own the Projects Assurance Framework, leading the future development of this framework towards a system that assures project system safety and residual risk through the lifecycle, providing analysis and assessment to evidence the residual risk outcomes through delivery.
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• Champion improvement of the Projects Risk Management Framework, Policy, Processes and Tools, in line with Victorian Government and Industry Standards, ensuring appropriate engagement and consultation from stakeholders as appropriate.
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• Lead a team to prepare engaging and easy to understand reports connecting Projects Risk, Systems Engineering and Assurance to the broader business.
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• Embed and enhance the assurance capability ensuring scalability and adherence to the relevant plans and frameworks that supports the delivery of current and future Rail Projects on the V/Line network.
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• Communicate with and prepare reports for operational and strategic planning teams through key points in lifecycle of project delivery to support a successful network change and integration capability.
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• Define Management policies, procedures and the standards for requirements management and systems engineering, risk management, asset integration, and system assurance activities.
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• Ensure integrated master schedules are developed for specific programs that reflect all interface milestones and activity durations.
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• Identify, acquire, direct and develop resources, assuming performance management responsibility for both internal and contracted resources.
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• Define and report against resource forecasts and budgets.
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If your skills or experience don't exactly match our listed requirements, we still encourage you to apply. We value diverse perspectives and believe in the potential for growth and development.

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About you

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As the Head of Systems Engineering, Assurance (SESA) & Risk, your role will be part of the leadership group of the Project Readiness team, you will lead a cross functional team to deliver project systems engineering and systems assurance activities, and risk management related change to the V/Line rail network. This includes building, verifying and validating project, functional, operational and technical requirements, asset integration and systems engineering and assurance activities associated with V/Line Projects.

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Selection Criteria:

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KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE and PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

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• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and develop a high‐performing team while fostering a culture of psychosocial safety, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. (Essential)
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• Minimum 10 years working on infrastructure, rail or similar projects leading systems assurance, systems engineering and/or risk management. (Essential)
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• Tertiary qualifications in Engineering or other relevant field (including System Assurance, System Engineering, Reliability Engineering)
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• Change Management certification highly desirable (e.g., Prosci/People Centred Implementation/Change Management BoK)
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• Effective communication within team and with key stakeholders, within a complex major projects environment.
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• Appropriate contemporary Project Management tools and systems
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• Extensive knowledge of and experience in complex projects, including demonstrated commercial acumen and appropriate qualifications
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• Extensive knowledge of management of change processes
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• Experience in Systems Engineering and Systems Assurance within Rail (Essential)
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• Experience in Risk Management highly (Desirable)
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• Proven capability in building strong, trusted relationships with stakeholders at all levels, ensuring effective communication, alignment, and timely issue resolution (Essential)
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• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities in a fast‐paced environment while maintaining a high level of accuracy and resilience. (Essential)
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• Highly effective communicator with the ability to convey complex information clearly and confidently to diverse audiences to ensure understanding.
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• Demonstrated ability in systems thinking and strategic thinking
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Why V/Line

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In addition to free myki travel, we offer:

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• Community impact – Make a genuine difference. Work in a role that connects Victorians, every day.
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• Huge potential – We're transforming, and you can too. Be a change maker, recognised for your contribution and creativity.
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• Dynamic environment – V/Line operates in a constantly changing space. Join a fast‐paced and exciting organisation.
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• Collaborative team – You'll be part of a broader supportive team. Surround yourself with talented, passionate peers.
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• Flexible working – We support flexible working. Work in a way that supports you to thrive in your role.
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We are committed to ensuring a comfortable and accessible recruitment experience. If you need any adjustments or have specific accessibility requirements at any stage of the process, please contact our Talent team at TalentSupport@vline.com.au or 1800 800 007 for confidential support.

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As an equal opportunity employer, V/Line is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace and network that reflects the communities we serve. We accept and value the contributions of all our employees regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, age or disability. We were also named a Work 180 endorsed employer for the second year in a row – meaning, we are committed to creating a great workplace for women.

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We proudly acknowledge First Peoples of Victoria. We acknowledge their ongoing strength in practicing the world's oldest living culture. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners' lands, waters, and skies on which we live and pay respects to their Elders past and present.

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At V/Line, safety is our priority. Successful applicants will undergo relevant pre‐employment and medical checks to meet our safeworking standards. V/Line is also a proud Child Safe employer.

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Applications close: Friday 21 st August 2026