Independent Chair and Members - Sydney Trains Operational Risk Committee (3 roles)

You can create a unique and lasting impact.

You have the opportunity to advise on operational risk management and control frameworks by bringing deep expertise in the rail or transport sector, with a strong understanding of rail safety, engineering, transport operations, or regulatory environments.

The Organisation

Sydney Trains is Australia’s largest public transport operator, accountable for the delivery of safe, reliable and efficient passenger rail services, rail network control and the management of fleet, assets and infrastructure. We deliver more than one million passenger daily journeys across the Sydney metropolitan and intercity areas.

Our vision is to keep Sydney moving by delivering safe, clean, reliable and efficient rail services that passengers can depend on, and our people are proud to deliver.

The 2025 Independent Rail Review recommended enhancing Sydney Trains’ capability to manage its operational and safety risks to assure the reliability, safety, and sustainability of Sydney Trains’ operations. To help us do this, Sydney Trains is establishing an Operational Risk Committee as a peak independent advisory body, reporting to the Chief Executive to advise on operational risk management and control frameworks for maintenance, business continuity, operational integration and performance.

About the Roles

We are seeking an experienced Independent Committee Chair and two Independent Committee Members to be part of the newly established Operational Risk Committee, bringing strategic vision, industry expertise, and strong leadership to our governance.

The Chair provides leadership to the Sydney Trains Operational Risk Committee and delivers objective advice to the Chief Executive in line with the Committee’s Terms of Reference.

The Committee Members work collectively with other members of the Operational Risk Committee and Chair to deliver objective advice to the Chief Executive in line with the Committee’s Terms of Reference.

These roles will be appointed for up to five years, requiring committee attendance on a minimum quarterly basis with additional attendance subject to need and will be remunerated accordingly under the NSW Government Boards and Committees Guidelines.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide expert and timely advice to the Chief Executive to support decision making on strategies, plans and priorities.


• Undertake and provide objective and critical analysis to draw accurate conclusions and options, considering the broader business context of Sydney Trains and the Transport sector.


• Provide independent and objective advice in the deliberation and resolution of operational risk management, governance, compliance and assurance issues which pose high levels of risk to support effective decision making for Sydney Trains.


• Direct or undertake specific projects to assist in the planning and execution of the Committee’s functions which support the overall effectiveness of Sydney Trains.


• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with key stakeholders.                                    

Please view the relevant Role Descriptions:

• Chair, Sydney Trains Operational Risk Committee


• Committee Member, Sydney Trains Operational Risk Committee

About you

We are seeking experienced and independent thinkers to join our committee in a governance and assurance capacity. You will bring deep expertise in the rail or transport sector, with a strong understanding of rail safety, engineering, transport operations, or regulatory environments.

You are naturally inquisitive, with the confidence and credibility to engage constructively with senior executives. You are comfortable asking probing, insightful questions and challenging assumptions to ensure robust decision-making and accountability at the highest levels.

Your background may include senior roles in rail, transport, engineering, safety regulation, or infrastructure delivery. Regardless of your specific path, you have a strong grasp of safety management systems, risk, and operational complexity in high-reliability environments.

You demonstrate sound judgement, independence of thought, and a commitment to good governance. You listen carefully, analyse critically, and contribute meaningfully to strategic discussions. You are not afraid to respectfully challenge the status quo and provide alternate perspectives where needed.

Ideal candidates will bring:

• Significant experience in rail, transport, engineering, or safety-critical industries


• Strong understanding of risk, assurance, and governance frameworks


• Ability to engage with and constructively challenge executive and senior management


• Excellent analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills


• High integrity, independence, and professional credibility.

This is an opportunity to contribute your expertise in a meaningful way, strengthening oversight, safety, and performance within a complex and essential sector.

Key areas of knowledge include:

• Knowledge of public sector enabling legislation and other legislation and government policies that affect the public sector body and the Committee.


• Expertise and experience in a senior leadership role in the rail industry.


• Expertise and experience in a transportation sector senior leadership and management role.


• Expertise and experience in performance management and service reliability (desirable: in the rail and/or transportation sector)


• Expertise and experience in operational and safety risk management in a highly operational organisation (desirable: in the rail and/or transportation sector)


• Expertise and experience in internal and/or external audit and assurance (desirable: in the rail and/or transportation sector).

Who we are

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

At Sydney Trains, our rail services keep Sydney moving by putting our customers at the centre of everything we do. We work with our local communities to deliver safe, timely and efficient rail services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Our trains and network are evolving to meet the needs of our customers now and well into the future. We’re continuing to integrate technological innovations that help us deliver a smarter and more sustainable network.

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.