Rahul Rao

Rahul is a results-driven Senior Project Manager with extensive experience managing high-pressure transport and construction projects, including design and construction phases procured through the TTEPS Panel. Adept at fast-tracking complex projects requiring flexibility across both design and construction life cycles, he excels in proactive cost management, program delivery, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring adherence to timelines and budgets. His engineering and construction background strengthens his ability to communicate technical requirements effectively, aligning client expectations with on-ground execution. Rahul has successfully led MSQA initiatives for critical TEPs projects, such as signal enhancements, raised speed crossings, and rural road safety upgrades, resolving conflicts and minimizing disruptions. Known for balancing technical precision with stakeholder priorities, he consistently delivers outcomes that meet safety, quality, and financial targets in dynamic environments.

• Project Management & MSQA – Auckland Transport
• Project Management & Engineer’s Representative – Kainga Ora
• Land Development & Construction Monitoring
• Development Engineering
• Estimator & Quantity Surveying – Auckland Transport

Kainga Ora Demolition Works, Glen Innes, $10m, 2024, Rahul leads the as Engineer’s Representative for three demolition contracts ongoing in parallel, which involved routing site inspections, claim certification, processing variations, liaising with contractor and contamination specialists.

• Kainga Ora Major Capital projects, Glen Innes, $100m, 2024, Rahul leads assisted Senior Project Management team overseeing multiple projects in construction phase, while liaising with LEAD Alliance and other relevant stakeholders to drive project forward and track discrepancies in programme to ensure project delivery timelines were maintained.
• MSQA for CNI Sites, Auckland Transport, $4m, 2024, Rahul directed the MSQA for four CNI sites which involved minor improvements which entailed installation of raised pedestrian crossings and other minor intersection improvements four South Auckland sites.
• MSQA for Weymouth Roundabout Improvements, Auckland Transport Road Safety team, $2m, Ongoing, Rahul managed the MSQA for the Weymouth roundabout improvement package, overseeing the construction of pedestrian crossings on multiple branches of the roundabout and installation of high-friction surfacing.
• MSQA for Ormiston Valderama, Auckland Transport Road Safety team, $2m, 2024, Rahul managed the MSQA on the Ormiston/Valderama Signalisation project, supervising installation of signal and adjacent shared path on Ormiston Road.
• MSQA for Pukekohe Town Centre Improvements, Auckland Transport Road Safety team, $3m, Ongoing, Rahul leads the MSQA for the Pukekohe project, overseeing the construction of raised pedestrian crossings.
• MSQA for Seddon Street, Willis Road and Wattle Farm Crossing projects, Auckland Transport, $1m, 2023, Rahul directed the MSQA for raised pedestrian crossings outside schools at three South Auckland sites.
• Project Manager for School Speed Management, Auckland Transport, $4m, 2023, Rahul managed the delivery of 8 SSM North and South sites for raised pedestrian crossing near schools.
• Project Manager for Penney Avenue Speed Hump, Auckland Transport, $4m, 2023, Rahul steered the speed hump project from design to construction.

· Project Manager for the Dairy   Flat Hwy, Goodall Rd, Puhoi Rd, Albert St, Pakiri Road and Wech Drive   Footpath Packages under the Auckland Transport, 2023, $2m. Rahul adeptly   managed the end-to-end delivery of two rural footpath projects. From leading   the initial investigations to overseeing detailed designs, he ensured timely   statutory consents and external assessments synchronised with the respective   design phase. He consistently updated the client, highlighting program   progress, monthly reports, and emerging risks. Despite encountering design   challenges, notably the need for footpath retaining and subsequent structural   assessments, Rahul coordinated with the team to secure essential building   consents, ensuring the project's seamless progression to final design with   minor adjustments.

· MSQA for Bikenhead T3   mid-block Signal for Auckland Transport, $3m, 2022. Rahul led the MSQA for the Birkenhead mid-block signal project. He   ensured contractors met design standards through regular site visits and   inspections. When design conflicts caused a construction hold, he maintained   open communication between the design team, AT, and contractors, ensuring   stakeholder alignment. While the redesign was beyond his control, Rahul's   proactive communication helped manage expectations, and the project   eventually progressed to completion, within acceptable timeframes.

· MSQA for the Great South   Road, Broadway and Alpers Avenue intersection improvement for Auckland Transport,   $4m,2022. Rahul led the MSQA for an improvement   on 5-way intersection in Newmarket, Rahul consistently monitored the site,   ensuring adherence to design standards and attending pre-pour inspections.   Due to the commercial nature of the location, numerous service conflicts   emerged throughout construction. Yet, thanks to Rahul's adept communication   with designers, contractors, and AT, these challenges were addressed   efficiently, mitigating project delays and costs.

· Engineers Representative   for City Rail Link Impact Mitigation Project for Auckland Transport, $5m,   2020. The project involved implementing roading   network changes to service existing bus network around Mt Eden Station and   Karangahape Station construction site. These interventions were urgently   required to minimise City Rail Link construction impacts on public transport   and active modes. Rahul was responsible for end-to-end project management,   and managed everything from contract procurement, the investigation and   detailed design phases, to securing statutory consents and managing the   construction process. Regular interactions with the AT team and pivotal   stakeholders were coordinated by Rahul, propelling multiple CRL designs from   conception to execution. His proactive approach in spotlighting potential   risks and resolving recurring challenges ensured the timely completion of all   CRL intervention projects under his management.

· Project Manager for Bush   Road Footpath Package for Auckland Transport, $4m.   Rahul managed the pedestrian improvement footpath project from concept   to final design. He consulted with the design team and stakeholders for   necessary external assessments like Lighting Design. While tracking the   program and ensuring key milestones, he adeptly navigated a challenge with   tree asset approval. When council specifications clashed with the footpath   design, Rahul facilitated discussions among Council, AT, and the arborist,   resolving the issue without altering the design and securing Tree Owner   approval.

· Project Manager for Metro   Customer and Local Bus Shelter Package – Traffic Audit for Auckland Transport   Project Delivery Team, $15m, 2022. Johnstaff was engaged for full project   management services including procurement of contracts, management of   investigation phase, managing public feedback on bus shelter proposals and   detailed design. Johnstaff was engaged for full project management services   including procurement of contracts, management of investigation phase and   detailed design, statutory consents, procurement of construction contracts   and construction phase management.

· Project Manager for   Optimisation Planning & Performance for Auckland Transport, $7m, 2019. The services provided were Project Management to assist with the   delivery of the OPEX and CAPEX programmes for the client. This included   assisting the client with the development of a 5-year rolling programme of   projects for investigation.

· Project Manager for the   Network Optimisation Programme Building & Advisory, Auckland Transport,   $10M, 2020. The scope of this project included   conducting desktop investigation, on-site observations, identifying project   objectives as well as possible solutions – a holistic scoping exercise.   Johnstaff was engaged in an Advisory role to assist the Client with setting   out a key investment decision making framework to build their portfolio of   capital works.

· Engineers   Representative for the Lady Ruby Drive and Kerwyn Avenue Signal Improvement   for Auckland Transport  Integrated Networks Team, $1m, 2021. Johnstaff was engaged for full project   management services including management of contracts, Client side   Management, Stakeholder Management, Quality Assurance and Construction Phase   Management.

· Engineers   Representative for the Alfriston Road and Magic Way Signal Improvement for   Auckland Transport Integrated Networks Team, $1m, 2021. Johnstaff was engaged   for full project management services including management of contracts,   Client side Management, Stakeholder Management, Quality Assurance and   Construction Phase Management.

· Engineers   Representative for the Dairy Flat Highway Road marking project for Auckland   Transport Road Safety Team,   $1m, 2021. Johnstaff was engaged for full project management services   including management of contracts, Client side Management, Stakeholder   Management, Quality Assurance and Construction Phase Management.

Previous Employment Experience

• Construction Manager for Road Rehabilitation works: Auckland Central Maintenance Contracts for Downer, $20m, 2013-2017. The services included Construction Management, Cost Management, Stakeholder Management, Quantity Surveying for rehabilitation of pavement and public drainage infrastructures for Central Auckland region, including reinstating footpath, vehicle crossings, berm, kerb/channels, dish channels, cesspits etc.

• Civil Engineer and Construction Supervision for Kainga Ora - Emergency Housing Residential Tenancy Projects, $6m, 2018-2019. The services included Stakeholder Management, Design Management, Construction Monitoring, Quality Assurance, Buildability & Staging Advice for construction of public drainage and pavement on multiple minor residential developments.

• Construction Manager for Road Rehabilitation works: Auckland West Maintenance Contracts for Liveable Streets, $10m, 2013-2017. The services included Construction Management, Cost Management, Stakeholder Management, Quantity Surveying for rehabilitation of pavement and public drainage infrastructures for Central Auckland region, including reinstating footpath, vehicle crossings, berm, kerb/channels, dish channels, cesspits etc.

• Construction Manager for Orakei Basin Access Road Carpark Renewal for Auckland Council, $1m, 2016. The services included Construction Management, Procurement Advice, Stakeholder Management, Quantity Surveying for rehabilitation of the Orakei basin, including construction of retaining walls, drainage, and pavement.

• Construction Manager for Hellabys Sidings Bridge Underpass Repairs Detail for Auckland Transport, $200k, 2015. The services included Construction Management, Procurement Advice, Stakeholder Management, Quantity Surveying for sealing up underpass space, with Geofoam, concrete and timber fencing.

• Construction Manager for Northern Pond Desilitation Works Ferry Road Pond & Hamatana Road Pond for Auckland Council – Albany Ward, $200k, 2015. The services included Construction Management, Procurement Advice, Stakeholder Management, Quantity Surveying for dewatering and desilitation work.

• Project Manager for the Dairy Flat Hwy, Goodall Rd, Puhoi Rd, Albert St, Pakiri Road and Wech Drive Footpath Packages under the Auckland Transport, 2023, $2m. Rahul adeptly managed the end-to-end delivery of two rural footpath projects. From leading the initial investigations to overseeing detailed designs, he ensured timely statutory consents and external assessments synchronised with the respective design phase. He consistently updated the client, highlighting program progress, monthly reports, and emerging risks. Despite encountering design challenges, notably the need for footpath retaining and subsequent structural assessments, Rahul coordinated with the team to secure essential building consents, ensuring the project's seamless progression to final design with minor adjustments.

• MSQA for Bikenhead T3 mid-block Signal for Auckland Transport, $3m, 2022. Rahul led the MSQA for the Birkenhead mid-block signal project. He ensured contractors met design standards through regular site visits and inspections. When design conflicts caused a construction hold, he maintained open communication between the design team, AT, and contractors, ensuring stakeholder alignment. While the redesign was beyond his control, Rahul's proactive communication helped manage expectations, and the project eventually progressed to completion, within acceptable timeframes.

• MSQA for the Great South Road, Broadway and Alpers Avenue intersection improvement for Auckland Transport, $4m,2022. Rahul led the MSQA for an improvement on 5-way intersection in Newmarket, Rahul consistently monitored the site, ensuring adherence to design standards and attending pre-pour inspections. Due to the commercial nature of the location, numerous service conflicts emerged throughout construction. Yet, thanks to Rahul's adept communication with designers, contractors, and AT, these challenges were addressed efficiently, mitigating project delays and costs.

• Engineers Representative for City Rail Link Impact Mitigation Project for Auckland Transport, $5m, 2020. The project involved implementing roading network changes to service existing bus network around Mt Eden Station and Karangahape Station construction site. These interventions were urgently required to minimise City Rail Link construction impacts on public transport and active modes. Rahul was responsible for end-to-end project management, and managed everything from contract procurement, the investigation and detailed design phases, to securing statutory consents and managing the construction process. Regular interactions with the AT team and pivotal stakeholders were coordinated by Rahul, propelling multiple CRL designs from conception to execution. His proactive approach in spotlighting potential risks and resolving recurring challenges ensured the timely completion of all CRL intervention projects under his management.

• Project Manager for Bush Road Footpath Package for Auckland Transport, $4m. Rahul managed the pedestrian improvement footpath project from concept to final design. He consulted with the design team and stakeholders for necessary external assessments like Lighting Design. While tracking the program and ensuring key milestones, he adeptly navigated a challenge with tree asset approval. When council specifications clashed with the footpath design, Rahul facilitated discussions among Council, AT, and the arborist, resolving the issue without altering the design and securing Tree Owner approval.

• Project Manager for Metro Customer and Local Bus Shelter Package – Traffic Audit for Auckland Transport Project Delivery Team, $15m, 2022. Johnstaff was engaged for full project management services including procurement of contracts, management of investigation phase, managing public feedback on bus shelter proposals and detailed design. Johnstaff was engaged for full project management services including procurement of contracts, management of investigation phase and detailed design, statutory consents, procurement of construction contracts and construction phase management.

• Project Manager for Optimisation Planning & Performance for Auckland Transport, $7m, 2019. The services provided were Project Management to assist with the delivery of the OPEX and CAPEX programmes for the client. This included assisting the client with the development of a 5-year rolling programme of projects for investigation.

• Project Manager for the Network Optimisation Programme Building & Advisory, Auckland Transport, $10M, 2020. The scope of this project included conducting desktop investigation, on-site observations, identifying project objectives as well as possible solutions – a holistic scoping exercise. Johnstaff was engaged in an Advisory role to assist the Client with setting out a key investment decision making framework to build their portfolio of capital works.

• Engineers Representative for the Lady Ruby Drive and Kerwyn Avenue Signal Improvement for Auckland Transport Integrated Networks Team, $1m, 2021. Johnstaff was engaged for full project management services including management of contracts, Client side Management, Stakeholder Management, Quality Assurance and Construction Phase Management.

• Engineers Representative for the Alfriston Road and Magic Way Signal Improvement for Auckland Transport Integrated Networks Team, $1m, 2021. Johnstaff was engaged for full project management services including management of contracts, Client side Management, Stakeholder Management, Quality Assurance and Construction Phase Management.

• Engineers Representative for the Dairy Flat Highway Road marking project for Auckland Transport Road Safety Team, $1m, 2021. Johnstaff was engaged for full project management services including management of contracts, Client side Management, Stakeholder Management, Quality Assurance and Construction Phase Management.