Operations Manager

Symal Group; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vehicle

Fuel card

Etag

Job summary

Symal Group in Brisbane seeks an experienced Operations Manager to lead civil and pipeline construction operations. You will oversee multiple projects, drive safety, quality and cost control, and mentor Project Managers and site teams to deliver on time and within budget.

This senior role requires strong commercial acumen, stakeholder management, and the ability to manage resources across labour, plant and materials while maintaining client relationships and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in a senior operational role within civil or pipeline construction.
• Relevant civil engineering or construction management qualifications.
• Strong knowledge of stormwater, water, sewer, gas works.
• Experience managing multiple projects and teams.
• Solid budgeting, forecasting and cost control understanding.
• White Card and Australian Driver's Licence.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations across multiple concurrent projects.
• Provide operational oversight from mobilisation through to completion.
• Lead, mentor and develop Project Managers and Supervisors.
• Ensure projects are resourced with labour, plant, materials and subcontractors.
• Maintain safety, quality and environmental performance.
• Build relationships with clients, principal contractors, consultants and suppliers.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Stakeholder management

Safety management

Project oversight

Education

Civil Engineering degree

Job description

Operations Manager – Civil & Pipeline Construction

Senior Leadership Opportunity

Location - Brisbane

Full-Time

Vehicle + Fuel Card + Etag

Lead the operations of a highly regarded Brisbane civil and pipeline business.

We are seeking an experienced Operations Manager to take a senior leadership role within our growing civil and pipeline construction business.

With a strong reputation for reliable delivery, quality workmanship and long‑term client relationships, we deliver projects across stormwater drainage, water and sewer infrastructure, gas pipelines and associated concrete and civil structures.

This is an opportunity for an experienced construction leader to take ownership of operational performance and play a key role in the continued growth and development of the business.

What You’ll Be Doing

You will be practical, decisive and solutions‑focused with the ability to develop and lead high‑performing project, construction and operational teams, build strong client and stakeholder relationships, and drive safety, compliance and risk‑management outcomes. Equally comfortable operating at a strategic level and engaging in operational detail when required, you will provide the leadership necessary to support continued growth and operational excellence.

You will be responsible for the effective management and coordination of the company’s construction operations, overseeing multiple projects and leading our operational teams.

You will work closely with Project Managers, Supervisors, site teams, clients and subcontractors to ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently, commercially and to the highest standard.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Lead day‑to‑day operations across multiple concurrent projects.
• Provide operational oversight from mobilisation through to completion.
• Lead, mentor and develop Project Managers, Supervisors and operational personnel.
• Establish clear expectations, accountability and performance standards across the team.
• Ensure projects are appropriately resourced with labour, plant, materials and subcontractors.
• Monitor project progress, productivity, costs, programs and key milestones.
• Support project teams to resolve construction, programming, resourcing and client issues.
• Maintain strong commercial awareness of budgets, forecasts, variations, costs and margins.
• Identify operational and commercial risks early and implement appropriate solutions.
• Drive consistent construction, planning, reporting and project management processes.
• Provide visible leadership in safety, quality and environmental performance.
• Ensure compliance with company, legislative and client requirements.
• Oversee effective utilisation, maintenance and planning of plant and equipment.
• Build strong relationships with clients, principal contractors, consultants and suppliers.
• Contribute to business planning, tender reviews, resource planning and future growth.

What We’re Looking For

You will be a practical, commercially minded and people‑focused construction leader who enjoys taking ownership and making things happen.

You will ideally bring:

• 8+ years’ experience in a senior operational role within civil construction, pipeline construction or infrastructure.
• Relevant civil construction, engineering or construction management qualifications, or equivalent industry experience
• Strong knowledge of stormwater, water, sewer, gas and associated civil works.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple projects and operational teams.
• Strong understanding of project financials, budgets, forecasting, cost control and margins.
• Experience managing variations, claims, procurement and subcontractor costs.
• Ability to analyse project performance and identify the commercial drivers behind results.
• Strong commercial judgement and the confidence to challenge poor performance or assumptions.
• Proven leadership, mentoring and people‑development skills.
• Strong planning, organisational and problem‑solving capability.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong understanding of WHS, quality and environmental requirements.
• Current White Card and Australian Driver's Licence.

Why this role?

This is a key leadership position with genuine responsibility for operational and commercial performance.

You will have the opportunity to influence how the business operates, develop the next generation of leaders, improve project performance and contribute directly to the company’s profitability, growth and long‑term success.

You will join an experienced team with a strong reputation in the Queensland civil and pipeline construction industry and have the opportunity to play a significant role in the next stage of the company’s growth.

If you are an experienced construction leader who combines strong operational capability, commercial discipline and genuine people leadership, we would like to hear from you.