Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Key Achievements And Roles
Volunteer And Community Engagement
Education Professional Affiliations Certifications
Publications And Technical Papers
The Way Forward
Timeline
Alan Main

Alan Main

Point Cook,VIC

Summary

CPEng, NER, FIEAust, APEC Eng, IntPE(Aus), RPEV, PrEng

Australian Citizen

Experienced leader driving change and strategic direction through expertise in leadership, operations management, and team development. Chartered Civil Engineer with 26 years of global experience in roads and infrastructure. Successfully transitioned from technical engineering to operations and people management. Dedicated to mentoring high-performing teams that deliver innovative solutions and excel in customer service. Committed to upholding high engineering standards for the benefit of our communities.

Overview

26
26
years of professional experience

Work History

Mentor, Tutor and Coach

Volunteer Position
09.2023 - Current
  • Mentor and coach for professional engineering charterships/registrations (CPEng, RPEV, PrEng) and career pathways.
  • High School Mathematics Tutor.
  • Regularly assessed progress and provided feedback to support continued development.
  • Committee Member and Team Manager/Coach, Point Cook Centrals Cricket Club.
  • VIC State Emergency Services (awaiting intake).

Highways Manager and Section Leader (Associate Director)

AECOM
04.2019 - 08.2023
  • Led and managed the Highways section, including engineers, scientists and project managers, across a range of projects from minor works to large-scale multidisciplinary infrastructure.
  • Responsible for strategic planning, people leadership and management, project delivery, and operational efficiency.
  • Maximized performance by monitoring daily activities and mentoring 30+ team members in a collaborative and high-performing culture.
  • Cross-trained existing employees to maximize team agility and performance.
  • Evaluated employee performance and conveyed constructive feedback to improve skills.
  • Successfully mentored staff to achieve professional accreditations, including Chartered Engineer status.
  • Led various small and larger projects, providing technical design input and overall project management functions.
  • Improved project delivery processes, increasing productivity and meeting operational targets consistently.
  • Streamlined and monitored quality programs to alleviate overdue compliance activities.
  • Ensured excellence in technical design and delivery, resourcing, budget management, and operational efficiency.
  • Championed process improvement initiatives and led technology adoption to streamline design workflows.
  • Built and maintained strong client relationships, resulting in repeat business and successful project delivery.
  • Maintained positive customer relations by addressing problems head-on and implementing successful corrective actions.
  • Developed and executed business plans aligned with organisational goals, driving team growth and profitability.
  • Key Projects: Craigieburn Road Upgrade, Webb Dock Phase 3, North East Link Project, M80 Ring Road Upgrade.

Section Manager - Transport

Knight Piésold
01.2017 - 01.2019
  • Managed the Transport Section comprising roads, rail, drainage, and structures, overseeing business development, operations, project delivery, growth, and staff development.
  • Led and mentored a 30-person site- and office-based team, improving performance, efficiencies, collaboration, and enhancing staff retention.
  • Identified section KPIs and created measurement mechanism to track operations efficiency.
  • Scheduled weekly section meetings to review emerging challenges, identify opportunities and recognize high-performing employees.
  • Obtained and enhanced quality benchmarks and objectives by developing and implementing standard practices and control plans.
  • Developed strong client partnerships, leading to repeat business and expanded project portfolios.
  • Project lead and technical input to deliver large-scale road and infrastructure projects for national and state government agencies.

Associate - Roads & Highways

GIBB
03.2005 - 12.2016
  • Held progressive leadership roles managing major infrastructure projects across South Africa, Nigeria, and Mozambique.
  • Adaptable individual with exceptional interpersonal skills and talent for building relationships. Known for delivering outstanding service and enhancing client satisfaction. Focused on fostering positive interactions and creating collaborative environments.
  • Demonstrated strong organisational and time management skills while managing multiple projects to achieve best for project outcomes.
  • Led large multidisciplinary teams and projects while mentoring staff to achieve technical excellence and career growth.
  • Overall technical responsibility and design lead for various road, rail and associated infrastructure projects.
  • Managed multi-million-dollar infrastructure projects from conception to completion providing overall technical responsibility.

Construction Site Manager

Stefanutti & Bressan Earthworks
08.2003 - 03.2005
  • Construction site manager on various roads, infrastructure provision and bulk earthworks projects for private and government clients.
  • Monitored and supervised subcontractor operations and applied effective time, resource, and money management strategies to delivery under-budget project completion.
  • Kept sites compliant with OSHA, state, and local regulations to prevent unnecessary risks.
  • Communicated daily with vendors to keep project fully operational.
  • Overall project responsibility – technical, commercial and resources.

Construction Site Manager

Group Five
01.1998 - 01.2003
    • Construction site manager on various roads and earthworks projects in Angola and Botswana including bulk earthworks, national and residential roads, sewage treatment, water reservoirs, and utilities.
    • Collaborated with contractors, architects, engineers, and public agencies to complete projects within timeline limitations and budget constraints.
    • Overall project responsibility – technical, commercial and resources.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Civil Engineering

University of The Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
11-1998

(Washington Accord accredited)

Skills

  • Section leadership
  • Operations oversight
  • People management
  • Stakeholder relationship management
  • Strong technical leadership
  • Strategic business planning
  • Business networking
  • Change management
  • Civil Engineering Design
  • Construction
  • Workplace safety oversight
  • Professional mentorship and skills development
  • Mental Health First Aider

Key Achievements And Roles

  • Highways Section Manager (Associate Director level), Led a multidisciplinary team and provided technical direction to deliver complex infrastructure projects while overseeing operations and optimisation improvements, team performance, and strategic business development – all within a fast-paced environment.
  • Technical, Overall technical responsibility and lead across various construction projects (constructor) and infrastructure design projects (consulting engineering) in Africa and Australia.
  • Mentorship, Chartership & Team Development, Built a culture of inclusivity and high morale through implementing personalised career development programs, diversity, and collaborative teamwork, leading to successful professional registrations and chartership accreditations in Australia, South Africa and in the United Kingdom.
  • Business Planning & Strategic Goals, Developed and managed business plans, forecasting, and operational improvements to meet service expectations and identify innovative opportunities aligning with the business and broader community and business needs.
  • Change & Innovation Leadership, Encouraged and led continuous improvement, accountability, and fostered fresh ideas, driving operational efficiency and customer satisfaction while supporting unification and simplification of processes across disciplines and geographies.
  • Client & Stakeholder Management, Successfully managed client relationships across ANZ regions, driving business retention and project collaborations.
  • Customer-Centricity, Committed to delivering high-quality outcomes that positively impact customers, communities, and the environment.
  • Safety, Mental Health & Wellbeing Advocacy, Certified Mental Health First Aider, creating and leading a safe and supportive work environment.

Volunteer And Community Engagement

  • Mentor and coach for professional engineering charterships/registrations, 01/01/10 - Present
  • High School Mathematics Tutor, 01/08/23 - Present
  • Committee Member and Team Manager/Coach, Point Cook Centrals Cricket Club, 01/08/23 - Present
  • VIC State Emergency Services, Awaiting intake

Education Professional Affiliations Certifications

  • Engineers Australia, CPEng, NER
  • Institute of Engineers Australia, Fellow, FIEAust
  • Registered Professional Engineer Victoria, RPEV
  • APEC Engineer, IntPE(Aus)
  • University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (Honours), 1998
  • Construction Industry White Card accredited
  • Rail Industry Worker (RIW) accredited
  • Certified Project Manager, AECOM
  • Mental Health First Aider
  • Working with Children accredited
  • Responsible Serving of Alcohol accredited

Publications And Technical Papers

  • Skills development in the Civil Consulting Industry: Knight Piésold's Candidacy Program for Professional Registration, Main, A, Jennings, G, South African Roads Federation Regional Conference for Africa, 10/01/18
  • Emerging Leaders Program, Main, A, 2018
  • Hydraulic Design of Stepped Chutes, Main, A, Moon, J, Report published in Maritime Edition, Institute of Civil Engineers (British), 12/01/01

The Way Forward

My career has evolved from pure civil engineering to centre on leadership, operations, and empowering inclusive teams to deliver excellence while supporting individual growth. I build strong teams with a focus on the next generation, empowering them to become accomplished team players and leaders prepared to advance the industry and bolster our communities. Keen to improve and learn, I am team-focused and excited to bring my strategic management, operations and technical experience, mentoring capabilities, and passion for continuous improvement to the fore, making a positive impact on people, processes, and the community. I am uniquely positioned to transfer my engineering and leadership skills across industries, embarking on new journeys and driving success in diverse environments.

Timeline

Mentor, Tutor and Coach - Volunteer Position
09.2023 - Current
Highways Manager and Section Leader (Associate Director) - AECOM
04.2019 - 08.2023
Section Manager - Transport - Knight Piésold
01.2017 - 01.2019
Associate - Roads & Highways - GIBB
03.2005 - 12.2016
Construction Site Manager - Stefanutti & Bressan Earthworks
08.2003 - 03.2005
Construction Site Manager - Group Five
01.1998 - 01.2003
University of The Witwatersrand - Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE
Alan Main