Project Manager / Superintendent – Cocos (Keeling) Islands | 18-Month Sea Change

We’re Haul – a specialist project services provider focused on solving difficult problems across government, construction, mining and infrastructure.

We’re searching nationally for our newest team member to lead an 18-month coastal infrastructure program on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

This is a rare opportunity to take real ownership of meaningful seawall and coastal protection works while enjoying one of Australia’s most unique island lifestyles – tropical beaches, warm water, fishing, diving, kitesurfing and a close-knit community.

We care more about practical construction leadership, judgement and ownership than your current job title. You might be a Civil Project Manager, Senior Project Engineer, Superintendent, Construction Manager, Shire Works Manager or a highly capable Supervisor ready to take on broader responsibility.

About the Role

You’ll be the owner-side Project Manager responsible for:

• coordinating Shire crews, contractors and technical specialists;

• managing civil construction, procurement and contracts;

• overseeing quality, programme, cost and risk;

• planning work in a remote, logistically constrained environment; and

• working with the Shire, engineers and government stakeholders to keep the project moving.

You’ll have genuine autonomy and responsibility for delivery, backed by Haul’s Perth team with project, commercial, planning, technical and administration support when needed.

You won’t be dropped onto the island and expected to carry everything yourself. We’ll provide leave coverage and additional on-site support where required so you can focus on leading the work, making good decisions and keeping the project moving.

Residential Preferred – Rostered Also Considered

Our preference is for someone genuinely interested in living on Cocos for the assignment and making the most of the opportunity.

For the right person, we’ll work through the practical arrangements needed to make the move sustainable, including accommodation, relocation, agreed return travel, leave coverage and support for a partner or family where needed.

We also recognise that an 18-month residential move won’t suit everyone. We’re open to a back-to-back roster or job-share arrangement with two suitably experienced people where that provides the right mix of continuity, capability and lifestyle.

Work days are typically early start and early finish, giving plenty of time each afternoon to make the most of the island lifestyle, with Fridays usually a shorter day to provide an extended weekend.

What’s on Offer

• An 18-month sea change with a serious project attached.

• $180,000–$220,000 base per annum + super for the residential role, depending on experience.

• Project incentive / bonus payment for completing the full contract

• Accommodation and vehicle provided for the assignment.

• Agreed return travel home during the assignment.

• Relocation assistance to help make the move practical.

• Genuine ownership and the freedom to make practical decisions that have immediate impact.

• Holiday and leave coverage so you can properly switch off when you’re away.

• Direct support from Haul’s senior team – autonomy without being professionally isolated.

• A defined assignment with clear purpose and direct community impact.

For a back-to-back roster or job-share arrangement, remuneration will be agreed separately to suit the roster, experience and responsibilities of the successful candidates.

Who This Could Suit

We’re deliberately looking beyond the traditional Project Manager profile.

This could be a great fit if you’re:

• a Civil Project Manager or Senior Project Engineer looking for a genuine lifestyle change;

• a Superintendent or Construction Manager who enjoys being close to the work and leading people;

• a Shire Works Manager or regional infrastructure professional with strong practical delivery experience;

• a highly capable Supervisor ready to take broader ownership of programme, quality and contractor coordination;

• an experienced engineer or project leader interested in one memorable fixed-term assignment; or

• a remote-project specialist looking for something different from the usual mine-site roster.

You’ll ideally bring:

• strong civil construction experience;

• confidence leading crews and contractors;

• good practical judgement and the ability to make decisions;

• sound contract administration and quality capability;

• the ability to plan and coordinate work in a remote environment; and

• clear communication and reporting skills.

Experience in civil or marine works and regional or remote infrastructure will be well regarded.

Relevant engineering, technical or project management qualifications will be useful for the appointed role. If your background is strongly practical and you’re unsure whether your qualifications fit, we’d still encourage you to apply.

You won’t be expected to know everything yourself. Haul can provide additional project, commercial and technical capability where required, while you remain the person taking ownership of delivery.

Interested?

Hit Quick Apply and send us your CV.

Candidates from anywhere in Australia are encouraged to apply.

If you’ve ever thought about swapping the usual city or FIFO routine for a genuine island sea change while still leading a serious civil project, we’d like to hear from you.