Director Port & Rail Freight Operations (Permanent Opportunity)

You’re a leader who takes ownership and actively creates positive change.

You will be excited by the opportunity to shape future freight policy, strategy, planning, and investment through data-driven insights and performance-based recommendations.

In this role, you'll:

Join our Freight Branch of the Planning, Integration and Passenger Division, that leads the enablement and delivery of freight outcomes for Transport across urban, regional, and rural NSW. The Port & Rail Freight Operations Team specifically monitors and analyses the performance of the port and rail freight network. We also administer the Port Botany Landside Improvement Strategy (PBLIS), providing expert port landside and rail freight operations strategic advice, in collaboration with port and rail infrastructure operators and Transport Asset Manager (TAM) to improve network efficiency and rail mode share.

Reporting to the Executive Director Freight and as a contributor to our newly established Branch Leadership Team, you will provide strategic oversight and leadership in monitoring and analysing the performance of the port and rail freight network across NSW. 

As a trusted advisor and capability builder, you will play a key role in shaping future freight policy, strategy, planning, and investment through data-driven insights and performance-based recommendations. You will also foster collaboration with a diverse set of stakeholders, including the TAM, Sydney Trains, stevedores, and freight operators.

The role is instrumental in ensuing the delivery of safe and efficient freight operations by leading operational governance, risk management, and regulatory enforcement of PBLIS. With a focus on driving continuous improvement and network efficiency, you will exercise adjudicative authority in port operations, provides expert advice, and collaborates with infrastructure managers and industry stakeholders to facilitate integrated freight movements.

This is a full-time Transport Senior Service Executive TSSE1B level role, offering an attractive remuneration package.

Please view the Role Description, Information Pack and the Freight Policy Reform Program - Transport for NSW.

About you 

• You have proven experience in rail freight operations and network management, with expertise in rail timetabling, pathing, and the operational dynamics of complex freight corridors, including collaboration with infrastructure managers and access providers.
• You have a good level understanding of port operations within a regulatory and adjudicative context, with demonstrated capability to interpret and apply compliance frameworks.
• You have good working knowledge of the Rail Safety National Law and other relevant operational frameworks, with a structured, compliance aware approach to decision making.
• You are commercially astute with experience working with commercial freight operators, with an ability to understand stakeholder drivers, and assess the real-world implications of policy.
• You are a hands-on contributor who thrives in fast-paced environments and drives progress.
• You use outcomes led, logic-based approach to work.
• You have program and project management capability, with proven ability to translate strategic policy into actionable, outcome-driven programs.
• You understand the sensitive nature of operating within a high-profile organisation subject to intense media scrutiny and public interest.
• You foster collaboration using excellent stakeholder engagement skills with experience in leading a function within a high reliability / high risk working environment, a large and complex industrial and/or public sector organisation.
• You have proactive leadership, leading by example with the ability to drive change and to motivate team members towards achieving business objectives.
• You have the demonstrated capability in delivering change in government agencies.
• As a pro-active problem solver, with progressive, strategic and forward-thinking attitude, you have the ability to work in a matrix-style reporting environment where it is essential to have a good understanding of customer orientation and the operational demands that come with service delivery.

Who we are

We are a state government organisation made up of more nearly 30,000 people and we're in the middle of delivering the largest transport infrastructure program in Australia's history. We work across planning, policy and procurement, harnessing data and technology to develop smarter and more adaptive transport solutions.

Transport for NSW keeps our State moving by providing safe, integrated, and efficient transport systems. We put our customers at the centre of everything we do – and we do a lot. We connect people, communities and industry and manage how they use our road, rail and maritime networks and services, and even active modes like walking and cycling. The work we do connects the journeys you take every day.

That means job opportunities in metropolitan and regional areas right across NSW – you have the chance to be part of creating a lasting legacy that will benefit generations to come.

Join us

Our workforce is as diverse as the community we serve. If you’d like further information on our inclusion and diversity initiatives, visit Transport careers.

We offer a wide range of employee benefits, like our award-winning flexible and hybrid work options.

This role is hybrid-friendly, meaning you can mix in-person days at your team’s home base location with remote days. 

What are you waiting for…? Connect with us.  Apply now!

Applications close: 11:59 pm Sunday 17th August 2025.

For more information about this role, please contact FABRICE.NOEL@TRANSPORT.NSW.GOV.AU.

Aboriginal people and people living with disability are supported throughout the recruitment process and at work, and we encourage you to apply. Visit Supporting Aboriginal people or Supporting people with disability for more info or speak to your talent team member to arrange any adjustments to how you interact with us. 

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