General Manager/ Business development/ Opperations

Etheredge Mintern; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 170,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanguard Infrastructure in Melbourne is seeking an experienced General Manager to build and lead a new civil construction business from the ground up. You will drive growth, establish client relationships, oversee tendering and project delivery, and work with the Director on long-term strategy.

The role requires significant civil construction leadership, P&L ownership, and the ability to operate autonomously to create a profitable operation.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in civil construction, preferably in senior management, operations or project management.
• Proven ability to identify opportunities, develop client relationships and win new projects.
• Strong knowledge of civil infrastructure works including roads, drainage, earthworks and subdivisions.
• Experience in estimating, tendering, contract administration and project delivery.
• Understanding of construction costs, profitability, cash flow and commercial risk.
• Established relationships within Melbourne's civil construction industry.
• Autonomous and capable of making sound commercial decisions.
• Entrepreneurial mindset and desire to build/grow a business.

Responsibilities

• Drive growth and day-to-day operations of Vanguard Infrastructure.
• Lead business development across Melbourne and secure civil construction opportunities.
• Oversee tendering, estimating, pricing and submissions for profitable projects.
• Manage delivery of civil projects including programming, resources, subcontractors, quality and safety.
• Develop systems, processes and supplier networks to establish the business.
• Manage project profitability, budgets, cash flow and overheads.
• Recruit, develop and lead a capable team as the business grows.
• Collaborate with Director to implement long-term growth strategy.

Skills

Civil construction

Business development

Tendering

Estimating

Operations management

Contract administration

Leadership

Job description

Business Development | Operations | Career Opportunity

Vanguard Infrastructure | Melbourne, VIC | Full-Time

Build a Business. Lead Its Growth. Share in Its Success.

Vanguard Infrastructure is a newly established civil construction company with ambitious plans to become a significant player in Melbourne's civil infrastructure industry.

Backed by a sister company with over 45 years of civil construction experience, Vanguard offers the exciting opportunity to build and lead a new business with the support, knowledge and industry expertise of an established contractor.

We are seeking an experienced, commercially driven and entrepreneurial General Manager to take ownership of establishing, developing and growing the business.

This is not your typical General Manager position. Rather than stepping into an established operation, you will have the opportunity to build a civil construction business from the ground up, backed by experienced industry ownership and the resources and knowledge needed to support its growth.

We are looking for someone who wants more than just a salary — someone who is motivated by building a successful business, driving profitability and sharing in the rewards of their achievements.

The Opportunity

Reporting directly to the Director, you will be responsible for driving the growth and day-to-day operations of Vanguard Infrastructure.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Business Development: Identify, pursue and secure civil construction opportunities across Melbourne, developing strong relationships with councils, developers, builders and other key clients.

• Tendering & Estimating: Oversee tender opportunities, estimating, pricing and submissions to secure profitable projects.

• Operations Management: Manage the successful delivery of civil construction projects, including programming, resources, subcontractors, quality, safety and client relationships.

• Business Establishment: Develop the systems, processes, supplier networks and operational structure required to establish a successful civil construction business.

• Financial Management: Take responsibility for project profitability, budgets, cash flow, overheads and overall business performance.

• Team Development: Recruit, develop and lead a capable team as the business grows.

• Strategic Growth: Work closely with the Director to establish and execute a long-term business growth strategy.

About You

We are looking for someone who combines strong civil construction experience with commercial awareness, industry relationships and the drive to build a business.

Ideally, you will have:

• Significant experience in civil construction, preferably in a senior management, operations or project management position.
• A proven ability to identify opportunities, develop client relationships and secure new projects.
• Strong knowledge of civil infrastructure works, including roads, drainage, earthworks, subdivisions and associated infrastructure.
• Experience in estimating, tendering, contract administration and project delivery.
• A sound understanding of construction costs, profitability, cash flow and commercial risk.
• Established relationships within Melbourne's civil construction industry.
• The confidence and ability to operate autonomously and make sound commercial decisions.
• An entrepreneurial mindset and genuine desire to build and grow a successful business.

Most importantly, we want someone who is proactive, accountable and motivated to take ownership of the business's success.

What's on Offer?

This is a rare opportunity to take a leading role in building a civil construction company, without having to fund the establishment of the business yourself.

We are offering:

• Competitive base salary negotiated according to experience and capability.

• Significant autonomy to develop and manage the business.
• Direct access to experienced industry ownership and strategic support.
• The opportunity to establish your own team, systems and operational structure.
• Genuine long-term career progression as the business develops.

Why Vanguard Infrastructure?

We recognise that the right person for this role may already be successfully managing projects or operations for another civil construction company but is looking for something more.

Pperhaps you have always wanted to run your own civil construction business but haven't had the capital or opportunity to make it happen.

Vanguard Infrastructure offers the opportunity to take that next step, with the backing of established industry experience and the potential to benefit financially from the business you help create.

We are looking for someone who wants to build something substantial, not simply manage another company's projects.