Civil Operations Manager

Stellar Recruitment Pty; Wellington; On-site; NZD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Stellar Recruitment Pty seeks an experienced Civil Operations Manager based in Wellington with regular travel to the Manawatū and lower North Island. The role focuses on delivering civil projects, optimizing resources, and driving regional performance while maintaining strong client relationships.

You will lead delivery teams, manage programmes and budgets, and oversee contract administration across multiple projects, with a focus on safety, quality and commercial outcomes.

Qualifications

• Experience in civil construction or infrastructure delivery.
• Strong planning, budgeting and cost management abilities.
• Familiar with contract administration and variations.
• Proven leadership of project teams and site crews.
• Valid New Zealand driver licence required.

Responsibilities

• Oversee regional project delivery and operational performance.
• Manage programmes, budgets, costs and commercial outcomes.
• Administer contracts and track variations.
• Lead Project Managers, Site Managers and Supervisors.
• Coordinate subcontractors, suppliers and client relationships.
• Ensure health, safety, quality and environmental requirements.
• Support tender opportunities and regional business growth.
• Drive continuous improvement in project and branch operations.

Skills

Civil construction

Leadership

Budgeting

Contract administration

Subcontractor management

NZ driver licence

NZS 3910 knowledge

Tools

NZS 3910 (standard)

Job description

Civil Operations Manager

Wellington based | Lower North Island travel | Civil Infrastructure

An established civil contractor is looking for an experienced Civil Operations Manager to take ownership of project delivery, team performance and regional operations across the lower North Island.

Based primarily in Wellington, this role will also involve regular travel into the Manawatū and wider lower North Island to support active projects, teams and client relationships.

This is a great opportunity for someone currently working as a Senior Project Manager, Civil Project Manager, Construction Manager or Operations Manager who is ready to step into a broader leadership role while still staying close to the work.

The Opportunity

You'll play a key role in overseeing civil projects across the region, supporting delivery teams and making sure resources, programmes and commercial outcomes are being managed effectively.

You'll be involved across:

• Regional project delivery and operational performance
• Project programmes, budgets and cost control
• Commercial management, variations and progress claims
• Contract administration and project documentation
• Labour, plant, equipment and resource planning
• Leadership and support of Project Managers, Site Managers and Supervisors
• Subcontractor and supplier management
• Client, consultant and council relationships
• Project risk, productivity and performance
• Health and safety, quality and environmental requirements
• Workforce planning and team development
• Tender opportunities and regional business growth
• Continuous improvement across project and branch operations

About You

We're looking for someone who understands civil construction from both an operational and commercial perspective.

You'll ideally bring:

• Strong experience within civil construction or infrastructure
• Experience leading multiple projects or operational teams
• A background as a Civil Project Manager, Senior Project Manager, Construction Manager or similar
• Strong project planning, budgeting and cost management skills
• Experience with contract administration and variations
• Familiarity with New Zealand construction contracts, including NZS 3910
• Experience managing subcontractors, suppliers and site teams
• Strong stakeholder and client management skills
• Confidence making decisions and managing competing priorities
• A practical, proactive and commercially minded approach
• A full New Zealand driver licence

Experience across areas such as roading, drainage, water infrastructure, wastewater, earthworks, concrete or general civil works would be highly relevant.

Location & Travel

The role is primarily based in Wellington, with regular travel to projects throughout the Manawatū and wider lower North Island.

You'll need to be comfortable getting out to site, spending time with project teams and travelling where required to support regional delivery.

Applicants must already have the legal right to work in New Zealand.