From field to leadership

Once the network commissioning was complete, Robert transitioned to Vocus operations, working as a field technician in Victoria before becoming Victorian State Manager. His people skills and technical expertise saw him promoted to National Manager for Vocus Field Engineers, where he discovered that managing teams required a different skill set.

The shift from technical work to people management proved both challenging and rewarding. Robert had to develop new capabilities beyond his technical expertise, but he was fortunate to have strong mentors at Vocus who helped guide his growth into leadership.

Managing Australia's submarine lifelines

Today, as Marine Operations Manager, Robert oversees all of Vocus' submarine cable systems, including the Australia Singapore Cable, North West Cable Systems and Darwin Jakarta Singapore Cable. His role is as varied as it is critical.

"There's no typical day in operations," he laughs. "One day I'm coordinating crossing notifications or dealing with regulatory audits, the next I might be managing cable repairs somewhere along the route. Just recently, I was in Port Hedland monitoring infrastructure installation for Project Horizon, ensuring the safety of our existing cable systems."

The role demands a combination of technical knowledge, regulatory expertise and crisis management skills. From coordinating with maritime authorities to investigating cable faults and ensuring regulatory compliance, Robert's work directly impacts Australia's global digital connectivity.

Over his 20 years at Vocus, Robert has been grateful for the company's continued investment in his professional development, allowing him to grow his expertise in this highly specialised field. This support has been crucial as these marine cables represent Australia's link to the rest of the world, holding strategic importance not just for Vocus, but for the entire nation's connectivity infrastructure.

Life above the surface

Outside work, Robert's life revolves around his family. Married with two active children, much of his time is spent supporting their activities – a commitment that, as he notes with a smile, keeps him young.

Balancing the demands of a role that requires international travel and emergency responses isn't always easy. Robert credits both Vocus and his family for making it work. Flexible working conditions at Vocus and the ability to work from home when needed make a significant difference. His wife, who works in a similar industry, truly understands the unique demands and responsibilities of the role. This understanding has been crucial to his success, both personally and professionally.

Wisdom from the depths

For those starting their careers at Vocus or in the telecommunications industry, Robert offers straightforward advice: "Have a go. Learn from anybody who will teach you, peers, colleagues, subject matter experts, mentors. Keep learning and challenging yourself."

He recalls wisdom from an early mentor that still guides him today: "I was told that I'm the only one holding myself back. If I need more or want more, it's up to me to go and get it, not wait for it to be offered."

Two decades and counting

After more than two decades with Vocus, what keeps Robert returning each day is the collaborative culture. It's an environment where people help each other out, support one another, and share a commitment to keeping the network in optimal condition. This spirit of collaboration, combined with the opportunity to work on infrastructure that's vital to Australia's future, transforms the role from just a job into something more meaningful.

"In marine operations, we work beneath the waves to keep Australia connected above them. It's challenging, it's critical and I wouldn't have it any other way".