Construction Operations Manager - Timaru

Downer; Timaru; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free Marram health care benefits

Discounted holiday homes

Competitive remuneration + company **(

Job summary

Downer in Timaru is seeking an experienced Construction Operations Manager to lead and shape the Timaru construction business. You will oversee roading, structures, and infrastructure delivery across South Canterbury, building a high-performing team and fostering client relationships.

You will balance strategic leadership with hands-on delivery, guiding project controls, tendering, and safety excellence to set the operation up for long-term success.

Qualifications

• Extensive civil construction and contract delivery experience.
• Strong commercial acumen including financial management, forecasting and project controls.
• Experience managing projects through full lifecycle, from tendering and planning through to delivery.
• Proven leadership experience coaching and developing managers, engineers and operational teams.
• A Civil Engineering or related qualification would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Shaping the future direction and operating model of the Timaru construction business.
• Taking a hands-on approach during the establishment and growth of the operation.
• Building a strong, engaged team and creating a culture where people enjoy coming to work.
• Leading the operational performance and delivery of construction activities across South Canterbury.
• Providing leadership, coaching and direction to Contract Managers, Project Managers, Engineers, Supervisors and operational teams.
• Driving strong commercial outcomes through effective project controls, forecasting, programme and resource management.
• Overseeing projects from tender and methodology through to successful delivery.
• Building trusted relationships with clients, subcontractors, suppliers and key stakeholders.
• Taking ownership of selected tenders, variations and construction opportunities alongside our estimating and bid teams.
• Creating an environment where safety, quality and operational excellence underpin every project.

Skills

Construction leadership

People development

Contract management

Financial management

Forecasting

Project controls

Lifecycle delivery

Education

Civil Engineering or related qualification

Job description

Shape, lead and grow our Timaru construction business.

At Downer we plan, create and sustain. Downer is the leading provider of integrated services in Australia and New Zealand. Through trusted relationships and world leading insight we work closely with our customers to design, build and sustain assets, infrastructure, and facilities.

Te kōwhiringa | The Opportunity

We're looking for an experienced Construction Operations Manager to join our Transport & Infrastructure team in Timaru and play a key role in shaping the future of our construction operations across South Canterbury.

This is a genuine opportunity to take the operation from where it is today and help build what comes next. You'll have the scope to influence how the operation is structured, how we work, the culture we create and where we focus our efforts for future growth.

In the early stages, this will be a true all-rounder leadership role. You'll be comfortable moving between strategy and delivery, getting close to the work and rolling up your sleeves when needed as the operation grows and evolves.

Working alongside the Regional Construction Manager and wider leadership team, you'll lead construction delivery across roading, structures and infrastructure/3 Waters, while developing our people, strengthening client relationships and creating a high-performing, positive team culture.

Key Responsibilities:

• Shaping the future direction and operating model of the Timaru construction business
• Taking a hands-on approach during the establishment and growth of the operation
• Building a strong, engaged team and creating a culture where people enjoy coming to work
• Leading the operational performance and delivery of construction activities across South Canterbury
• Providing leadership, coaching and direction to Contract Managers, Project Managers, Engineers, Supervisors and operational teams
• Driving Strong commercial outcomes through effective project controls, forecasting, programme and resource management
• Overseeing projects from tender and methodology through to successful delivery
• Building trusted relationships with clients, subcontractors, suppliers and key stakeholders
• Taking ownership of selected tenders, variations and construction opportunities alongside our estimating and bid teams
• Creating an environment where safety, quality and operational excellence underpin every project

Nga pūkenga matua | Important Skills

This role will suit an established construction leaders who understands what it takes to successfully deliver complex civil works while getting the best from their people.

You could already be operating at Operations Manager or you may be an experienced senior Project or Contract Manager ready to step into broader operational leadership.

We're looking for someone who brings:

• Extensive civil construction and contract delivery experience
• Strong commercial acumen including financial management, forecasting and project controls
• Experience managing projects through the full lifecycle, from tendering and planning through to delivery
• Proven leadership experience with the ability to coach and develop managers, engineers and operational teams
• A Civil Engineering or related qualification would be advantageous, but your practical construction leadership experience will be equally important

The difference you'll make:

This is an opportunity to put your stamp on a growing operation.

You’ll have the freedom to help shape how the Timaru construction business develops, from the way the team operates and the culture you create through to the opportunities we pursue and how we deliver for our clients.

Initially, you’ll need to be comfortable being an all-rounder and getting hands‑on where required. As the operation grows, so will your opportunity to build capability, develop your team and establish an operation that is set up for long-term success.

If you’re a construction leader who enjoys building something, rather than simply inheriting it, and wants the opportunity to make a genuine impact in Timaru, this could be a great next move.

Ko te take ka parekareka e koe ki te mahi ki kōnei | Why you will enjoy working here

Downer is committed to delivering excellence by ensuring our people have the environment and the means to be successful. We offer:

• Free access to Marram health care benefits and discounted holiday homes
• Competitive remuneration + company vehicle
• Discounts for Samsung, Repco, PB Tech, Gym memberships and more!
• $500 bonus for current employees who refer a friend to Downer
• Great promotion and career development opportunities

Have a look at our other great benefits here!