Robert Hoffmann

Executive summary

Robert is a Director in the Project & Infrastructure Advisory team at BDO in Brisbane. Given the impact sensible and well-justified investment decisions can have on the whole community, his passion is business case development.

Robert specialises in business case management, authoring, and coordination. His foundation in civil engineering, economics, and finance means he understands the importance of finding a balance between the best technical solution and the associated cost.

Robert has experience across the project lifecycle, ranging from planning and business case development to economic analysis, project management, detailed design, and overseeing construction. He has completed projects for local, state and federal government and private clients in a range of sectors, including education, live entertainment, precincts, energy and natural resources, transport, water, health, and defence.

Expertise

• Business case advisory
• Aligning technical feasibility with economic and financial viability
• Managing and authoring business cases for complex infrastructure projects, ensuring investment decisions are robust, evidence-based and community-focused
• Stakeholder engagement in complex stakeholder environments
• Infrastructure strategy, enabling more effective infrastructure investment decisions.

Experience

Education

• Department of Education (QLD) – primary school preliminary evaluation/options analysis
• Department of Education (QLD) – secondary school detailed business case
• Vocational education and training provider – development of numerous business cases, including:
  • Business case management
  • Stakeholder management
  • Economic, financial and commercial analysis
  • Public interest development.
• Tertiary institution – detailed business case for a large infrastructure investment.

Energy and natural resources

• State government – battery commercialisation centre detailed business case
• State government – accredited battery testing services facility detailed business case.

Games, live entertainment and events

• Performing arts centre – benchmarking and commercial review
• Local council – operational model review for a large stadium
• Local council (various) – project validation report for a proposed games venue
• State government – heritage museum redevelopment detailed business case
• State government – indoor venue and convention centres demand and expansion requirement review.

Qualifications and affiliations

• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Graduate Certificate in Business (Applied Finance)
• Bachelor of Civil and Geotechnical Engineering (Honours)
• Board Director, Infrastructure Association of Queensland
• Board Director, Baby Give Back
• Member Benefit Taskforce Co-Chair, Infrastructure Association of Queensland
• Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng).

Professional engagements and activities

• Emerging technologies reshaping teaching pedagogies, EduTech Conference, 2025
• “Infrastructure-Ish” newsletter (LinkedIn)
• Founder – The Hidden Middle.