Description
The Head of Department – Mining & Metals, Australian GCC is a senior business leadership role responsible for leading, growing and developing WSP’s GCC Mining & Metals organisation as an integrated delivery partner to the Australian business.
Working with Australian and GCC leadership, the role will establish the leadership capability, operating systems, governance and culture required for a sustainable, scalable and high-performing organisation.
The role is accountable for the performance and development of an organisation of approximately 70 professionals, with significant growth ambitions.
Scope of Work – Mining & Metals
The GCC Mining & Metals team supports the Australian business across the full project lifecycle, including:
- Studies and early project phases
- Design and engineering delivery
- Project execution and delivery support
- Operations, sustaining capital and brownfield work
Responsibilities
Leadership, Governance & Operating Model
- Provide visible senior leadership with accountability for the organisation’s growth, performance, culture and development.
- Build an effective leader-of-leaders structure with clear responsibilities, decision rights and performance expectations.
- Translate Australian Mining & Metals strategy and business plans into executable GCC priorities and operating requirements.
- Establish and continuously improve the systems, governance and operational disciplines required for consistent and sustainable performance.
Delivery, Quality, Health & Safety
- Establish a strong culture of health, safety and wellbeing, with clear leadership and individual accountability.
- Ensure predictable, high-quality delivery within agreed scope, schedule and requirements, aligned with Australian technical governance and client expectations.
Australian Interface, Integration & Collaboration
- Strengthen the “One Team – Two Locations” model through trusted relationships between Australian and GCC leaders, disciplines, project teams and support functions.
People, Culture & Capability
- Create a safe, inclusive and high-performing environment that supports wellbeing, engagement, retention and sustainable growth.
- Build psychological safety, ownership and initiative so people ask questions, provide honest advice, challenge respectfully and bring considered recommendations.
Business Planning & Resource Stewardship
- Develop and deliver the GCC Mining & Metals business plan, workforce plan and budget in partnership with Australian leadership.
- Manage headcount, capability, deployment and utilisation to align capacity with demand while protecting quality, wellbeing and sustainable delivery.
Key Interfaces & Stakeholders Australian Mining & Metals leadership, discipline leaders and project teams; GCC discipline and team leaders; other WSP regions, sectors and GCC leaders; and Talent, HR and Operations teams.
Qualifications
Experience, Skills & Profile Required
- Senior leadership experience in a complex professional services, engineering or project-delivery environment, including leading leaders and scaling teams.
- Demonstrated success establishing or evolving operating models, governance and delivery systems during growth or transformation.
- Proven ability to lead across regions and cultures and build credibility with Australian or comparable international teams.
What Success Looks Like (12–24 Months)
- Australian and GCC leaders routinely undertake joint workforce, project and delivery planning, with clear interfaces, direct multi-level relationships and shared accountability for outcomes.
- A capable leader-of-leaders structure is established, with clear accountability and decisions made at the appropriate level.