Jamila Ellison

Executive summary

Jamila is a partner in the project and infrastructure advisory team at BDO in Brisbane, specialising in commercial advisory. With a robust background in transactions, complex procurement, divestment, funding administration, contract development, and project delivery, Jamila brings a wealth of expertise to her role. Her skills extend to strategic program establishment, mobilisation, and capital projects. 

Jamila has demonstrated experience in recovery of distressed projects, implementing control mechanisms, and aligning commercial strategy with risk management, governance, and reporting for dynamic delivery programs. She has crafted best practice and fit-for-purpose commercial solutions for both government and private sector clients across various sectors, including infrastructure, precinct development, transport, energy, financial services and defence. Her work consistently achieves successful outcomes and drives innovation. 

Her industry experience is further enhanced by her ability to build productive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. Jamila applies critical and strategic thinking to solve complex problems, always striving to add lasting value for her clients and team. 

Expertise 

• Transaction management, complex procurement and divestment 
• Program strategy, options evaluation and process optimisation 
• Program mobilisation, implementation and governance 
• PMO establishment, project management, project controls 
• Project recovery - contract, scope, and financial alignment 
• Strategic precincts planning, development, and delivery 
• Program funding administration, financial analysis 
• Schedule analysis and controls 
• Risk management - quantification, analysis, and mitigation.

Experience

• Project Manager for Queensland Government Banking Services procurement and transition for Queensland Treasury.  
• Providing financial and commercial transaction advisory, and quantified risk management for Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3. 
• Leading the Independent Verifier procurement advisory team for Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3 on behalf of the Department of Transport and Main Roads. 
• Facilitating European Train Control (ETCS) program alliance transaction for the Department of Transport and Main Roads.  
• Established a Program Management Office for the Special Activation Precincts on behalf of the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (NSW). 
• Lead Commercial and Procurement Adviser for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games on behalf of the Department of Transport and Main Roads. 
• Prepared 2018 Commonwealth Games special purpose financial reporting on behalf of the Department of Transport and Main Roads, for the Queensland Audit Office. 
• Transaction Adviser to Regional Growth NSW Development Corporation for Parkes Special Activation Precinct Commercial Gateway development. 

Qualifications and affiliations 

• Master of Business Administration 
• Master of Project Management 
• Bachelor of International Relations 
• Graduate Certificate in Applied Law (Commercial) 
• Oxford Executive Leadership Program 
• Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) 
• Certified Agile Project Management Practitioner (AgilePM).