Project Manager- Construction

Manpower Australia; Sydney; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Manpower Australia is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead commercial construction projects from handover to close-out across Sydney and regional NSW. You will drive delivery, manage budgets and coordinate with site teams, subcontractors and clients to ensure outcomes align with contract and design intent.

The role requires strong leadership, robust procurement and risk management, plus a proactive approach to safety and quality across live environments.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Project Manager within commercial construction, refurbishment, heritage or similar built environment.
• Strong ability to manage programme, cost, procurement, subcontractors, consultants and client relationships.
• Strong contract administration and commercial management experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to balance multiple priorities across office and site.
• Experience working in live environments and with live facilities is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, coordination and delivery of commercial construction projects from handover to completion.
• Oversee budgets, cost control, forecasting and reporting.
• Manage subcontractor procurement, trade scopes, tenders and awards.
• Maintain WHSEQ standards and quality across projects.
• Support site managers with sequencing, coordination and decision-making.
• Ensure projects meet contract requirements, design intent and client expectations.

Skills

Project management experience

Client relationships

Programme & cost control

Contract administration

Communication skills

Site coordination

Education

Construction Management / Building / Engineering qualification

Tools

Procore

HammerTech

Jobpac

Cheops

Aconex

MS Project

Job description

Award-winning commercial builder delivering a broad range of construction projects across Sydney, regional NSW, Brisbane and South East Queensland. The business works across new commercial buildings, refurbishments, heritage restoration, adaptive reuse, interior fit-outs, civil and public domain projects. Delivers projects across sectors including education, government, public domain, sporting facilities, private clients, heritage buildings, medical facilities and community infrastructure.

The Project Manager will take ownership of commercial construction projects from pre-construction handover through to delivery, completion and defects close-out. This role suits a practical, commercially sharp Project Manager who can manage the full project life cycle, work closely with site teams, maintain strong client and consultant relationships, control programme and cost.

Key responsibilities

Project delivery

• Lead the planning, coordination and delivery of commercial construction projects from handover through to completion.
• Manage projects across refurbishment, fit-out, new build, heritage, adaptive reuse, education, government, public domain, amenities and commercial environments.
• Develop and maintain project programmes, short-term plans, procurement schedules, construction methodologies and project delivery plans.
• Drive project milestones, site coordination, sequencing and completion dates.
• Work closely with Site Managers, Foremen, Contract Administrators, Estimators, subcontractors, consultants and clients.
• Identify project risks early and put practical solutions in place before they impact programme, cost, safety or quality.
• Ensure projects are delivered in line with contract requirements, design intent, client expectations and standards.

Commercial and contract management

• Manage project budgets, cost control, forecasting and reporting.
• Oversee subcontractor procurement, trade scopes, tender comparisons, negotiations and subcontract awards.
• Review and manage subcontractor claims, variations, extensions of time, RFIs, progress claims and project reporting.
• Maintain strong commercial discipline across each project, including accurate documentation, cost tracking and margin protection.
• Work with the Construction Manager and internal team to escalated risks, resolve commercial issues and protect project outcomes.
• Support the estimating and pre-construction team with buildability advice, methodology input, programme assumptions and trade feedback when required.

Site leadership and coordination

• Attend project sites regularly to support delivery, resolve issues and maintain visibility across programme, safety, quality and subcontractor performance.
• Support Site Managers and Foremen with sequencing, trade coordination, documentation, resources and decision-making.
• Promote strong WHSEQ standards across all project activities.
• Ensure site teams have the information, documentation and support required to deliver safely and efficiently.
• Maintain strong communication.

Quality, safety and compliance

• Ensure works are delivered in accordance with WHSEQ requirements, company systems, contract obligations, building codes and relevant Australian standards.
• Support quality assurance processes, inspections, ITPs, defect management and close-out documentation.
• Maintain strong document control and project records.
• Contribute to continuous improvement across project systems, delivery processes and internal workflows.

Key selection criteria

Essential experience

• Proven experience as a Project Manager within commercial construction, refurbishment, fit-out, heritage, public domain, education, government or similar built environment projects.
• Experience delivering projects for a head contractor or commercial builder.
• Strong understanding of project delivery from pre-construction handover through to completion.
• Demonstrated capability managing programme, cost, procurement, subcontractors, consultants, quality, safety and client relationships.
• Strong contract administration and commercial management experience.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities across office and site-based responsibilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Highly regarded

• Experience working in live environments, occupied facilities, heritage buildings, schools, universities, community infrastructure, government projects or public-facing sites.
• Trade background, construction management qualification or equivalent hands-on construction experience.
• Experience supporting estimating, tender methodology, buildability reviews or pre-construction planning.
• Experience with Procore, HammerTech, Jobpac, Cheops, Aconex, MS Project or similar project management platforms.
• Strong relationships across Sydney subcontractor markets.

Qualifications

• Relevant qualification in Construction Management, Building, Project Management, Engineering or a related discipline.
• Trade background with strong project management experience will also be considered.
• Current driver's licence.
• White Card.

Capability profile

• The right person will be:
• Practical and delivery-focused.
• Commercially aware.
• Confident with clients, consultants and subcontractors.
• Comfortable moving between the office and site.
• Strong under pressure without creating noise around them.
• Organised, proactive and clear in communication.
• Respectful of process, but not paralysed by it.
• Able to build trust with site teams, clients and internal stakeholders.
• Genuinely interested in quality construction, not just ticking off programme dates.

Success measures

• Projects delivered safely, on time and within agreed commercial parameters.
• Strong client satisfaction and repeat-work potential.
• Clear project reporting, accurate forecasting and disciplined cost control.
• Well-managed subcontractor performance.
• Positive working relationships between office, site and client teams.
• Risks identified early and resolved before they upscale.
• High-quality finishes, effective defect close-out and strong handover outcomes.

Why this role

This is an opportunity to join a respected, award-winning commercial builder with a strong portfolio across refurbishment, new build, heritage, public domain, education, government and community projects. The role offers genuine ownership, variety and visibility across the full project lifecycle. It will suit a Project Manager who enjoys being close to the work, close to the client and close to the outcome.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Relevant qualification in Construction Management, Building, Project Management, Engineering or a related discipline.
• Trade background with strong project management experience will also be considered.
• Current driver's licence.
• White Card.

ManpowerGroup is committed to being a Diversity Confident Recruiter and encourages applications from people from a diverse range of backgrounds, including people with a disability. Please indicate your preferred method of communication in your resume and please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments should you be contacted for an interview.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.

State: QLD, licensee/s Manpower Services (Australia) Pty Ltd, LHL-02026-D5L4Q. State: QLD, licensee/s Experis Pty Ltd, LHL-02014-Y5F6D. State: SA, licensee/s Manpower Services (Australia) Pty Ltd, LHS 288856