Rodrigo Sobarzo
Principal Commercial Manager

rodrigo.sobarzo@fr2.com.au

Rodrigo Sobarzo Rodrigo is a highly experienced Principal Commercial Manager with over 20 years of expertise in commercial management and project controls. As a project and commercial lead, he has successfully delivered major infrastructure programs that consistently exceed targets. With a degree in Civil Engineering, an MBA in Resources and Environment, and a Diploma in Corporate Finance, Rodrigo brings comprehensive technical expertise in commercial and program management, project control systems, construction scheduling, cost planning, risk management, and reporting.

Specialisations:

Commercial management and project controls
Scheduling, planning, and schedule risk analysis
Cost management, estimation, and forecasting
Risk management and mitigation strategies
Project management and feasibility studies
Earned Value Management (EVM) and performance analysis
Scope management and progress reporting

Geographic Experience: NSW and other Australian states; Chile and Latin America

Services Provided

Commercial & Project Management

Commercial leadership, governance, and project controls across complex infrastructure programs.

Project Controls & Reporting

Set‑up and operation of project control systems, performance reporting, and earned value management.

Cost, Risk & Schedule Analysis

Cost planning, risk analysis, schedule risk assessment, and forecasting for major capital programs.

Feasibility Studies & Business Cases

Commercial input to feasibility studies, options assessment, and funding submissions for government programs.

Qualifications & Affiliations

Education

Bachelor of Engineering (Civil Engineering)
Master of Business Administration (Resources & Environment)
Diploma in Corporate Finance

Licenses & Certifications

Advanced training in project controls and schedule risk analysis
Specialist training in cost management and commercial governance

Professional Affiliations

Member of professional engineering and project management associations (various)

Strengths & Skills

Proven leadership in commercial management on major infrastructure programs
Strong capability in setting up and operating project control systems and processes
Expertise in schedule and cost risk analysis for large, multi‑stakeholder projects
Advanced skills in cost estimation, budgeting, and forecasting
Experience across feasibility, business case development, and funding approvals
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills at all levels

Recent Project Experience

Major Infrastructure & Rail Programs

Sydney Metro – West Metro Technical Advisor: Metro Commercial Manager for reference design, ensuring contractual obligations, on‑time and on‑budget delivery, and project risk management.
TfNSW Zero Emission Buses (ZEB): Planning and project controls for $3 billion Tranche 1 funding to replace 1,200 buses with electric vehicles and convert 11 depots, including schedule risk analysis and hydrogen bus trials.
TfNSW Digital Systems Tranche 2 (DST2): Planning and project controls for $1 billion funding to replace trackside signalling with ETCS Level 2, including schedule risk analysis and planning support.
TfNSW More Trains More Services (MTMS3a & MTMS2): Planning for $1 billion and $2.2 billion funding respectively for extra rail services, including new suburban and intercity fleet procurement and schedule risk analysis.
TfNSW Kiama to Bomaderry (K2B) Fast Rail: Initial planning stages for rail line duplication between Berry and Gerringong, providing project controls and planning support.
Sydney Metro – City and Southwest (C&SW): $14 billion planning project. Integrated scheduling services for procurement, design, construction, environmental planning, and delivery, including progress measurement and EVM for tunnels and Central Station Yard Bridge contracts.
Sydney Metro – City and Southwest Technical Advisor: Commercial and project controls manager for JV bid and start‑up, managing 130 technical advisors across AECOM, WSP, Cox, Hassell, and RPS.
Sydney Metro – Northwest Rail Link (NWRL): $8 billion program. Commercial and project control services for technical advisor including cost tracking, scope management, claims, forecasting, and cash‑flow reporting.

Other Roles & Sector Experience

2023 – Present: Mott MacDonald – Principal Commercial Manager
2020 – 2022: Transport for NSW – Planner, Project Controls
2018 – 2020: Logikal (Systems Group) – Senior Consultant
2016 – 2018: Aquenta (Jacobs Company) – Senior Consultant
2010 – 2016: PB (WSP Group) – Commercial & Project Control Manager
2009 – 2010: Proactiva (Veolia, FFCC, ICA JV) – Technical Manager
2008 – 2009: Enerthi – Senior Consultant
2006 – 2008: CH2MHill – Engineering Manager
2005 – 2006: Wartsila – Project Development Consultant
2000 – 2002: Grupo Dinamico – Engineering Manager

Professional Experience

Rodrigo has held commercial, project controls, and technical leadership roles across consultancies, client organisations, and joint ventures. His experience spans planning and controls, commercial management, and technical management for delivery of complex infrastructure and transport programs in Australia and overseas.

Get in Touch

Interested in discussing how commercial strategy and project controls can support your program? Contact Rodrigo to explore options tailored to your project.