General Manager, Major Projects, Public Works

Department of Housing and Public Works

About the Department of Housing and Public Works

The Department of Housing and Public Works (DHPW) delivers essential services that directly impact the lives of Queenslanders. This includes housing assistance, homelessness support services, public building and maintenance programs, and leadership across construction and procurement policy.

 

The department’s Major Projects division is responsible for facilitating the delivery of high-risk and high-value capital works on behalf of the Queensland Government. It provides specialised services to develop organisational and infrastructure strategies, ensuring effective policy implementation and sustainable management of public assets.

About the Role | General Manager (Major Projects, Public Works)

 Drive transformative change in Queensland’s public infrastructure

 

As the General Manager of Major Projects, you will oversee the delivery of some of Queensland’s most significant capital works. This includes developing and implementing strategies that ensure projects are delivered efficiently, sustainably and in alignment with government objectives. You will lead the Major Projects division in providing expert advice to Ministers and senior executives on infrastructure, procurement and policy reform, while fostering partnerships across government, industry and peak bodies. This role also has a key element of people and culture – where you will guide a diverse workforce, building capability in project and contract management and embedding a culture of professionalism, collaboration and continuous improvement.


Specific responsibilities include:

In this role, you will lead the delivery of Queensland’s most significant capital works projects, ensuring they are strategically aligned with government priorities and delivered efficiently, sustainably and to the highest standards. You will oversee the design, implementation and continuous improvement of procurement and governance frameworks, ensuring that projects achieve long-term value for Queensland communities. A central responsibility will be identifying and embedding improvements in project management practices to optimise the return on government investment.

 

You will engage with industry, agencies and peak bodies to develop and implement procurement and contract management strategies, while also influencing investment portfolios across government to maximise returns and deliver enduring public infrastructure outcomes.

 

Collaboration will be critical to your success. You will work closely with QBuild, Legal Services, the Queensland Government Accommodation Office and other partners to ensure projects are delivered with technical excellence and in line with contemporary policy frameworks. You will also represent the Department as a key point of contact with the construction and design industry, building relationships that strengthen sector capability and support the delivery of complex projects of state significance.

 

As a strategic leader, you will provide authoritative advice to Ministers, the Director-General and senior leaders on procurement, infrastructure delivery and sector reform. You will oversee the development of policy and performance frameworks, ensuring that governance structures support transparency, efficiency and continuous improvement.

 

Finally, you will foster a high-performing, collaborative and professional culture within the division. By building capability in project and contract management, you will drive workforce excellence, strengthen professional standards and position the Department of Housing and Public Works as a leader in the delivery of government infrastructure in the lead-up to Brisbane 2032.

About You

The essential requirements for this role are:



  • A record of success as a senior leader in a large and complex organisation, with outstanding capability to lead change and foster a confident, capable workforce.
  • Extensive experience in strategy, policy and governance associated with the delivery of major capital works projects.
  • Strong background in navigating and managing complex stakeholder engagement, and the ability to provide authoritative advice to Ministers and senior executives and drive reform in challenging environments.


Links to Additional Information

For additional information about the opportunity and key metrics related to the Department of Housing and Public Works, please click the links below:

Your Application

The Department of Housing and Public Works is committed to building an inclusive and diverse workforce that reflects the Queensland community. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, veterans and people of all ages.

 

If you are ready to apply your expertise to a portfolio of work with lasting public value, we welcome your application.


Applications, including your resume and a two-page summary of how your experience, abilities and knowledge are relevant to this role should be submitted via the apply now button.


For a confidential discussion, please contact Gerard Kerr, General Manager, Executive Search & Selection on 0432 544 444 or gerard@kingstonhumancapital.com.au

Meet the team

 Access key features, receive alerts, and manage your finances from the palm of your hand, ensuring banking fits seamlessly into your lifestyle.

News and Insights

A statutory authority: 116 applications and up to 29 hours of panel time nobody had
By Michelle Bassett • September 28, 2026
A project management role on a major infrastructure program closed with 116 applications. Reading them would have taken the panel up to 29 hours before shortlisting began. Kingston Human Capital took the lot and the authority appointed within five weeks.
Nine roles, three months, a deadline that could not move | Kingston case study
By Michelle Bassett • September 28, 2026
A statutory commission needed nine roles filled before a legislated scheme commenced and did not expect it could be done in time. Kingston Human Capital ran nine campaigns as one program. 534 applications, 37 interviews, nine appointments, 11.6 business days shortlist to report.
Kingston Human Capital Recruitment as a Service
By Michelle Bassett • September 28, 2026
A senior finance leadership role, advertised, extended, and still no competitive field. Kingston Human Capital took the campaign over mid-flight and the department appointed without re-advertising. 44 applications, 4 interviews, 2 suitable candidates, 1 appointment.
By Gerard Kerr • September 28, 2026
About Department of Environment and Science (DES) Queensland boasts one of the most diverse and beautiful environments in the world. Without even counting the Great Barrier Reef and its cultural and economic significance to Queensland and Australia, over 64 million visitors flock to Queensland's national parks, forests, and arts and cultural facilities every year. The Department of Environment and Science (DES) exists to protect Queensland's environment so that future generations can enjoy its beauty. Working closely with local government, stakeholders, and communities, the DES works to achieve a better environmental, economic and social future for Queensland. To continue its vital work of protecting Queensland's beautiful, delicate environment, the team at the DES reached out to Kingston as one of their executive recruitment partners. The DES wanted to make sure they partnered with an executive search firm that used both traditional and contemporary recruitment techniques. In addition to traditional executive search, they saw the power of video and understood how contemporary social media talent attraction campaigns would benefit their recruitment project.
By Gerard Kerr • September 28, 2026
About Screen Queensland Screen Queensland is a government-owned company working to make Queensland a global leader for the film and TV industry. As a result of Screen Queensland, the Sunshine State was host to some of the biggest movies of the past decade, including Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, Kong: Skull Island, and Thor: Ragnarok. In addition to attracting interstate and international productions to Queensland, the company also fosters homegrown talent in Queensland, investing in the diverse, entertaining, and ground-breaking talent in Queensland; creating jobs, stimulating the economy and upskilling our local industry. Screen Queensland has an ambitious plan for the screen and film industry in Queensland, and Kingston Human Capital helped them find an equally ambitious CEO to steer them towards achieving their vision.
By Gerard Kerr • September 28, 2026
About Coexistence Queensland Coexistence Queensland is a unique statutory body dedicated to fostering sustainable relationships between regional communities, landholders, and the energy and resources sector. The organisation plays a critical role in advancing balanced economic, environmental and social outcomes by facilitating dialogue, sharing knowledge and promoting shared value across Queensland. The appointment of a Chief Operating Officer (COO) marked a strategic investment in strengthening organisational leadership. As a newly established executive position, the COO was integral to aligning operations with Coexistence Queensland’s expanded remit and ensuring the organisation’s structure, culture and stakeholder engagement efforts were equipped for a rapidly evolving policy environment. Kingston Human Capital was engaged as a dedicated executive search partner, supporting the Board and CEO to design and deliver a rigorous national recruitment campaign.
By Gerard Kerr • September 28, 2026
About The Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) Established in 2018, Container Exchange (COEX) is a not-for-profit organisation running Queensland’s Containers for Change Scheme, ensuring that over 3 billion drink bottles don't end up as landfill. The Containers for Change Scheme allows people to return eligible drink containers for a 10 cent refund at over 270 sites across Queensland, reducing container litter and encouraging enterprises to raise funds from donations of container refunds. In addition to the Containers for Change Scheme, COEX promotes recycling and helps the local community from donations to charities, community and sports groups, as well as not-for-profit organisations registered with the scheme.
By Gerard Kerr • September 28, 2026
About The Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) is a unique government agency that combines property development with specialist planning functions. EDQ has over 20 locations throughout Queensland providing land solutions to help retain existing industry as well as to attract new business investment and development in Queensland. 
By Gerard Kerr • September 25, 2026
About The Department of Education The Department of Education required an Executive Director and Chief Procurement Officer to provide strategic leadership across procurement and facilities functions within one of Queensland's largest and most complex public sector environments. The role sat within the Finance, Procurement and Facilities Branch and required an executive capable of leading large-scale procurement strategy, influencing stakeholders across a decentralised operating environment and delivering commercial outcomes aligned with government priorities.  Kingston Human Capital was engaged to deliver an end-to-end executive recruitment and selection campaign, including executive search, market mapping, assessment, panel facilitation, reference checking and selection reporting
By Gerard Kerr • September 25, 2026
About The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) sought to appoint an Executive Director responsible for leading significant environmental policy initiatives and investment programs. The role was central to advancing environmental stewardship, innovation and long-term sustainability outcomes across Queensland. This executive leadership position carried responsibility for strategic environmental programs, stakeholder engagement and the administration of major government investment initiatives.
Show More