BACK TO A DAY IN THE LIFE

Josh Bowden - "Be curious and proactive”

As a Senior Commercial Consultant at Systech, Josh plays a pivotal role in one of Victoria’s most significant infrastructure schemes, the North East Link Program (NELP). Working as a Cost Engineer and serving as Cost Lead for the Southern Package (Burke to Tram Alliance), Josh is responsible for managing and analysing project cost data to support informed decision-making and effective project delivery.

What does your typical day look like?
My day usually starts early with a workout. I’m a very active person and like to begin the day with some movement. From there, I make a short train ride into the CBD office. Once at work, my time is typically split between analysing project data, including forecasting, earned value and cost performance and collaborating with the wider project controls team. 

What are the interesting aspects of your work?
One of the most interesting aspects of my role is combining technical project controls and stakeholder collaboration. As a consultant to the Victorian Government, we rely heavily on data and information provided by the broader Alliance partners, the contractors and designers. I enjoy working closely with these teams to ensure data integrity and to translate complex information into clear, meaningful insights that provide the right level of detail and advice to the executive team in order for them to make global decisions for the Program.

What are the challenges?
A key challenge is embedding a comprehensive project controls framework across a large and complex Alliance environment. The controls and reporting requirements established by the client reflect best practice approaches more commonly seen in industries such as oil and gas and are relatively new within large civil infrastructure projects in Australia.

These requirements include mapped Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), Cost Breakdown Structure (CBS) and Resource Breakdown Structure (RBS), fully cost-loaded programs down to the lowest control account level and using the program as the single source of truth for measuring progress and calculating earned value. Achieving alignment across all parties requires strong communication, collaboration and persistence.

What training and support has Systech given you?
Systech has provided strong support through ongoing professional development, on-the-job learning and access to highly experienced colleagues. Working within a multi-disciplinary consultancy environment has exposed me to best practice project controls methodologies and has allowed me to continuously develop my technical and commercial skill set.

What words of advice would you offer someone thinking of working for Systech?
Be proactive, curious, and open to learning. Systech offers excellent opportunities to work on complex, high-profile projects, particularly if you’re able to keep an open mind to working overseas, able to take ownership of your work and engage with a wide range of stakeholders.

What is the culture like?
The culture at Systech is collaborative, supportive, and professional. I’m fortunate to work on a project along side many other Systech colleagues. Although we are each in our own packages, having a team of experienced professionals working so close together creates a strong emphasis towards teamwork and knowledge-sharing, with people always willing to help one another while maintaining high standards of delivery

How has working for Systech helped you achieve your career goals?
Working at Systech has allowed me to build strong expertise in commercial management and project controls while also opening the door to contributing on major infrastructure programs. The exposure to complex projects and senior stakeholders has supported my professional growth and aligns closely with my long-term career goals.

What makes working for Systech different from the competition?
Systech’s global reach really makes them stand out for me. Knowing that if I desire to explore a new country or want a new challenge their vast list of projects and clients means the world really can be your oyster. Knowing that if I raised this desire to my line manager, they would fully support me in my pursuit is a breath of fresh air in comparison to others. 

What has been your greatest achievement working for Systech?
My greatest achievement to date has been taking on the role of Cost Lead on the Southern Package of the North East Link Program. It has been a significant responsibility and a rewarding opportunity to contribute at a leadership level on one of Victoria’s largest infrastructure projects.

Tell us about a project where you have learnt a key lesson
Having no previous experience in Earned Value Management or tracking progress on such a large project, NELP has taught me the importance of strong foundations in project controls for projects of this scale. I’ve learned that establishing a clear, well-structured baseline, supported by accurate data and consistent processes is critical to measuring performance and building confidence in reporting. This experience has strengthened my approach to stakeholder engagement and cost management. 


Josh’s experience at Systech shows what can happen when technical excellence meets curiosity, collaboration and opportunity. We offer a place where ambitious professionals can build meaningful careers and help shape some of the world’s most significant infrastructure and mega-projects along the way.

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