Vertical Transport Lead
Make a difference that matters by shaping the performance, reliability and future of vertical transport across some of Australia’s most important social infrastructure.
At Downer, we manage essential public infrastructure across health, education and other complex operating environments. The work we do helps keep vital services running so our customers can focus on caring, learning and supporting their communities. Vertical transport plays a critical part in making that possible, and we’re looking for an experienced specialist to strengthen how these assets are managed across our portfolio.
This is an opportunity to bring deep industry expertise to work that matters, solve difficult technical problems at portfolio scale and shape the future of vertical transport asset management across Downer.
Importantly, when significant vertical transport issues arise, you won’t simply provide advice. You’ll take ownership of the technical response from diagnosis and options development through to implementation, verification and close-out.
The role will require travel to operational sites across Australia and New Zealand.
What You’ll Do
This is not a traditional technical advisory role where your involvement ends with a report or recommendation.
As our Vertical Transport Lead, you’ll be Asset Management’s technical authority for vertical transport, partnering with Contract Managers, Asset Managers, operational teams, clients and service providers to improve safety, reliability, performance and whole-of-life value.
Some key responsibilities will include:
- Lead the technical response to significant or recurring vertical transport issues, from diagnosis and root cause analysis through to solution implementation, verification and close-out.
- Build visibility of asset condition, reliability, availability, maintenance effectiveness, obsolescence and risk across the portfolio, identifying issues and improvement opportunities.
- Lead targeted reliability, maintenance and asset performance improvements, including technical reviews, condition assessments and audits.
- Develop renewal, modernisation and lifecycle strategies, and provide technical leadership for approved improvement initiatives through to completion.
- Assess and challenge service provider performance, technical recommendations and costs to improve quality, accountability and value for money.
What You’ll Bring
We’re looking for someone with substantial vertical transport industry experience and the technical credibility to operate as a subject matter expert across a complex portfolio. Expertise in other building services (BMS, Fire, HVAC etc.) will also be highly regarded.
You may have built your career across lift service and maintenance, repairs, modernisation, technical support, installation, commissioning or asset performance. What matters is your ability to diagnose difficult problems, exercise sound judgement and translate technical expertise into practical outcomes.
You’ll bring:
- Deep technical knowledge of vertical transport systems, maintenance practices, failure modes, reliability and lifecycle considerations.
- Technical experience in other building services in complex facilities.
- A track record of diagnosing complex or recurring asset issues and translating findings into practical solutions and performance improvements.
- Strong asset management capability across condition assessment, maintenance optimisation, lifecycle planning and whole-of-life decision-making.
- Sound commercial judgement and experience managing or challenging service provider performance, scope, cost, risk and value.
- Relevant trade, engineering, asset management or facilities management qualifications, or equivalent substantial industry experience. Vertical transport technical qualifications, licences or certifications are desirable.
More than anything, you’ll bring a strong work ethic, a positive attitude, and a commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes for our clients.
Why Downer?
At Downer, we plan, create, and sustain essential public services across Australia and New Zealand. From hospitals to data centres and defence partnerships, we manage critical infrastructure that keeps communities thriving.
What It Means to Belong at Downer
We’re proud of our high-performance culture and commitment to diversity, offering:
- Training and development to support and diversify your career.
- With 30% of vacancies filled internally you’ll find real opportunities to advance your career.
- Perks@Downer: healthcare discounts, great savings on retail purchases, car purchases and much more.
- Employee Assistance Program: professional support for you and your family when you need it most.
You want your work to matter and so do we. With over 26,000 people across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, our team is made up of individuals with unique perspectives, backgrounds, and ideas.
We know that diversity makes us stronger and we actively celebrate it through our commitment to inclusion and belonging.
We’re committed to building a team that reflects the diverse communities we serve and we welcome people of all ages, genders, sexual orientations, cultures, abilities, and lived experiences. We especially encourage applications from those whose voices have traditionally been underrepresented in our industry, including women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Māori and Pasifika Peoples, veterans, people with disability, and neurodivergent individuals. Even if your experience doesn’t align perfectly with this role, we’d still like to hear from you. If it feels like the right fit, apply - potential counts, and so do you.
As a WORK180 Endorsed Employer, we support flexibility that works for your life, inclusive leadership that values your voice, and equitable access to opportunity so you can do your best work and bring your whole self to it.
If you need support or adjustments through the recruitment process, just let us know, we’re here to help you put your best foot forward.