Portfolio Cost Lead

You want to play a part in making NSW a better place to work, live and travel.

This is your opportunity to broaden your experience and perspectives, step out of the confines of a standard project role and expand your scope to work with an interconnected ecosystem of industry professionals.

In this role, you'll:

Lead portfolio-level cost governance and financial oversight across a complex portfolio of projects within PD&E ensuring strong financial discipline, transparency, and alignment with governance frameworks and NSW Treasury requirements.

You will set and uplift cost management practices across the portfolio, while providing independent assurance on financial performance, forecasting accuracy, and cost controls. Identify emerging risks, funding pressures, and cross-portfolio impacts, supporting timely executive decisions and portfolio reprioritisation.

Drive the development and continuous improvement of cost management standards, frameworks, and tools, including forecasting approaches, baseline control, contingency management, and change tracking.

This is leadership role responsible for driving and leading finance performance, cost governance and leading a direct/indirect team of cost professions to delivery best in class cost controls. The role will require strong negotiation and influencing skills with strong strategic thinking, exceptional stakeholder engagement and proven leadership across large multi project/program and portfolio environments.

Please note, we have two Fixed Term Full-Time roles till 30/11/2028 & 31/03/2028, and three Permanent Full-Time roles.

For more information on this position and business unit, view the role description and information pack.

About you

• Extensive experience leading cost governance, forecasting, and financial assurance across large, complex portfolios, ideally within government or regulated environments
• Extensive experience in leading people and driving negotiation with stakeholders
• Experience in coaching and mentoring delivery staff on uplifting project financial controls.
• Proven ability to provide strategic thinking and leadership to project cost controls
• Proven ability to provide independent financial oversight and constructive challenge at a portfolio level
• Strong expertise in financial risk management, funding governance, and executive-level reporting
• Experience supporting investment decisions, including scenario modelling and funding trade-offs
• Solid understanding of public sector financial frameworks, procurement policies, and compliance requirements, with a focus on audit readiness and data integrity
• Demonstrated capability in improving cost management practices and increasing forecast reliability across complex delivery environments
• Tertiary qualifications in finance, economics, project management, or a related discipline, or equivalent experience
• Relevant certifications such as AACE (e.g. CCP), PMI, PRINCE2® or equivalent
• Understanding of NSW Treasury Investment and Digital Assurance Frameworks, including cost estimation and reporting requirements

Who we are

Transport for NSW provides a safe, integrated, and efficient transport system. We connect people, communities and industry every day. 

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.

Flexible work options may be available. Learn more via Flexible work options and policy  

Apply today 

Applications close 11:59 PM, Monday 27th July 2026

For more information about this role, please contact FIONA.BRADY2@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 information or speak to your talent team member to arrange any adjustments to how you interact with us.

Learn more about how to apply via Our recruitment process | Transport for NSW 

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