Constantine Kouparitsas
Sydney,NSW
Summary
Dynamic Senior Project Manager at Transport for NSW, adept at orchestrating complex infrastructure projects.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Project Manager
Transport for NSW
08.2016 - 03.2025
- I have successfully delivered 18 Railway stations in the Sydney Metropolitan area to achieve compliance with the Disability Standards for Accessible Transport (DSAPT), the Disability Discrimination ACT (DDA), Power and Station Systems upgrades, improvements to station precincts for a seamless customer experience when transiting between different modes of transport.
- Huntley’s Point and Balmain East Wharf Upgrade – Value 30 million
- The scope included the upgrade of the Bus interchange on both locations including the installation of lifts, Sea wall rectification, road realignment, existing services relocation (water, wastewater, stormwater, gas), power supply upgrade, electronic surveillance (CCTV). Both sites are listed in the State Heritage register, adding complexity in the Development Approval flow and delivery.
- Sutherland Shire Precinct Upgrade – Value 34 million
- The project delivered a 560-space multistorey carpark, Sutherland station upgrade and a new bus interchange with high complexity as the owner of the land for the car-park was owned by the Sutherland Services club were a Heads of agreement had to be reached prior to any development consent and the Development/Planning (Part 5) approval pathway agreed between Transport and Sutherland Shire before submission to the Planning Minister. Also adding to the complexity was the impact the civil works had to the pedestrian and vehicle traffic circulation over the rail bridge and access to Sutherland CBD. New traffic management measures were designed and installed; a new signalized pedestrian crossing was also constructed to achieve pedestrian and vehicle separation.
- Mascot Station Western Entry – Value 46 million
- Commuter and Vehicular traffic required the design and construction of an underpass, including lifts and escalators on Bouke Street connecting the plaza adjacent to the street and Mascot Station upper concourse. The land (Plaza) is owned by Bayside Council but maintained under a lease agreement by the adjacent Unit developments. Both parties sought agreements, and conditions were incorporated into the design outcomes and contract delivery.
- Blacktown Car-park and Third avenue road works – Value 26 million
- The project included the construction of a 700-space multistorey carpark and the construction of an off ramp including a signalized intersection on Third avenue that would improve access to the car-park. The challenge faced with is the staging to relocate and commission underground services (water, gas, fire hydrants, street lighting, telecommunications) that were servicing the adjacent properties along Third avenue. A commissioning plan was agreed between Transport, Service providers (Authorities), Blacktown council and RMS that temporary services be installed, monitored and maintained by the Contractor flowed by installation and commissioning of each service separately.
- As the Senior Project Manager my roles and responsibility included:
- Manage and deliver concept designs to assist in developing fit for purpose solutions based on DSAPT and DDA requirements.
- Prepare high level cost estimates, risk analysis, pros and cons of the concept designs to help determine the solution fit for each location.
- Accountable for the procurement and contracting strategy and as chair of the Tender Assessment Committee propose to enter contract with the successful Delivery Partner.
- Chair design meetings to ensure compliance with the required standards (DSAPT, DDA, BCA, Rail Standards, Condition of Approval), Operator Maintainer and stakeholder requirements and obtain Construction Certificate Approvals.
- Manage internal and external stakeholders, Local Government, Authorities Private entities due to scope impact on their assets. Through an agreed method of communication and allocation of roles and responsibilities issues were raised, addressed and closed following processes (Authority Approvals) or written communications (Agreements) to the satisfaction of all parties involved.
- Manage the detailed design phase and ensure assurance certification was achieved. Follow Change management process to record scope changes that affect the design and obtain approval through TFnSW governance framework.
- Chair constructability workshops contribute on work methodologies resulting in cost and time efficiencies but also safety in delivering a project.
- As the Principals Representative I had to manage the day-to-day delivery contract requirements including progress of work (site inspections, Construction meetings, Contract meetings), contractor monthly claims, assess variation and extension of time claims and respond to the contractor after receiving endorsement from the principal.
- Manage a team of Project, Planning and Environmental, Commercial, Risk and Safety professionals and ensure that concerns that were raised and could not be dealt with at their level would be addressed by myself or raised to the executive for a resolution through department processes or the contract.
- Be accountable for the budget, risk and progress of each project that I managed. Prepare detail Project Performance Reports and present to the executive, raise risks an issue but also mitigation required to reduce or eliminate the risks.
- Contribute, Review and monitor safety throughout the lifecycle of the project including Safety in design, Site specific safety and environmental management plans, site safety in maintenance. Also, I am RISI accredited that allows me to conduct work within the Rail Corridor.
- Manage the handover process to the end user.
Project Manager (Contract)
Sydney Trains
01.2010 - 01.2012
- The project included the security upgrades in critical infrastructure around the rail network. Apart from the challenges of installing electronic surveillance infrastructure on assets while in a live operating environment the design required intervention to structures to withstand threats from hostile vehicles bringing the value of the contract well above the available budget.
- I proposed to the client that the risk model be reviewed by an independent security advisor with the required qualifications in blast design. The review reduced the scope considerably as it concentrated on the periphery of the assets and not within the asset.
- Critical and Vital Infrastructure
Construction Manager
FAL Developments
01.2007 - 01.2010
- OAK Tree retirement Village Stage 1 (over 55’s) - Project Value – 12 million
- Ocean and Trelawny Street Residences - Project Value - 5.5 million
- Gladesville Town house development – 2.5 million
- Caroline Chisiolm college -1 million
- As the construction manager I was responsible of managing a team of site managers, site engineers’ site and foreman, monitor construction progress and quality, manage and administer each sub-contract and variations provide progress reports to the CEO and clients.
- Challenges to overcome were requests by the clients to change the agreed brief while the project were in progress which in turn impacted existing agreed sub-contracts. To overcome these challenges I employed a more robust communication protocol with the clients engaging early in critical stages of the projects and secure agreements of no further changes.
Project Manager (Architectural Steel Installation Fabrication)
Yap Engineering
05.2006 - 08.2006
- Epping to Chatswood Rail Line – 6.5 million
- The project involved the fabrication and installation of glazed stainless steel fall protection at the escalators, paid and unpaid concourses and entry caverns at Epping, Macquarie Park, Macquarie University and North Ride Stations.
- Interface with other sub-contractors, quality of work completed by others and main contract progress of work were the main risk I had to manage though my engagement with YAP engineering.
- Communication with other sub-contractors and the head contractor, insisting that the interface responsibilities and accountabilities are kept as agreed, regular site visits to make sure that the portion of works I was responsible for were not impeded by other works safeguarded the successful completion of the sub-contract.
Project Manager Fit -out (Contract)
Innovated Spaces
03.2006 - 05.2006
- Verandah Bar and Restaurant – Castlereagh Street Sydney CBD - Project Value -1 million
- The project included the complete strip out and fit out of the existing Pub.
- The key challenge was the short timeframe agreed with the client.
- To overcome the risk I proposed the increase of resources allocated on the project specifically qualified carpenters, that all set out was performed by qualified surveyors that then allowed for detail measurements for construction of modules (bar, timber wall panels, wine racks, seating booths) of site that could be brought in and installed minimizing the time required to construct within site area, material handling and interface constraints with other trades.
Construction Manager/Builder
AJV Constructions Pty Ltd
01.1994 - 01.2006
- Delivered design and construction of four-storey apartment block with 24 residences and underground parking for Gould Street Turner ACT valued at 7.5 million.
- Managed development applications to ensure seamless construction completion and buyer handover for Angas Street Ainslie ACT townhouses project valued at 1.8 million.
- Oversaw design and construction of five townhouses on Cowper Street Ainslie, managing full process from application to buyer handover, totaling 900K.
- Executed construct-only contract for Nicholls Residence, effectively managing client requirements and overseeing construction until handover.
- Coordinated hospitality fit-outs for Royal Hotel Queanbeyan, Kingston Hotel ACT, Civic Pub Braddon ACT, Las Vegas Pub and Pool Hall Belconnen ACT, and Aegean Café Taverna Braddon ACT.
- Delivered house refurbishments for ACT Department of Housing projects in O’Connor and Page, ensuring compliance with standards.
- Managed pharmacy fit-out at Watson ACT, focusing on timely execution and quality assurance.
Design Engineer
RD Rodgers Engineers
01.1993 - 01.1994
- Nicholls 2 Estate Sub-division
Design Engineer
GHD
01.1990 - 01.1993
- Design Engineer Kambah Estate Sub-division, Palmerston Stage 1 and Stage2, Kambah Sewer pumping Station.
- Also I was sub-contracted as a design engineer to the Department of Urban Services Bridge design Section tasked to access bridge load capacity to current standards and based on increases of speed limits over bridges.
Education
Bachelor’s degree - civil engineering
University of Democritus
Thrace, Greece01.1989
Skills
- Project management
- Stakeholder engagement
- Risk assessment
- Contract negotiation
- Construction compliance
- Budget management
- Risk analysis
- Strategic planning
- Process optimization
- Team leadership
- Effective communication
- Problem solving
- Time management
- Regulatory knowledge
- Scope management
- Client liaison
- Cost control
- Cross-functional communication
- Quality control
- Client relationship management
- Detail-oriented
- Change management
- Decision-making
- Customer relationship management
- Complex Problem-solving
- Problem-solving
- Attention to detail
Timeline
Senior Project Manager
Transport for NSW
08.2016 - 03.2025
Project Manager (Contract)
Sydney Trains
01.2010 - 01.2012
Construction Manager
FAL Developments
01.2007 - 01.2010
Project Manager (Architectural Steel Installation Fabrication)
Yap Engineering
05.2006 - 08.2006
Project Manager Fit -out (Contract)
Innovated Spaces
03.2006 - 05.2006
Construction Manager/Builder
AJV Constructions Pty Ltd
01.1994 - 01.2006
Design Engineer
RD Rodgers Engineers
01.1993 - 01.1994
Design Engineer
GHD
01.1990 - 01.1993
Bachelor’s degree - civil engineering
University of Democritus