Operations Manager

Rwr Construction; Auckland; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Rwr Construction in New Zealand seeks an experienced Operations Manager to own the operational delivery function across construction and infrastructure projects. You will lead managers, drive performance, and ensure resources and systems align to support growth.

This role focuses on people leadership, planning, and delivering outcomes across multiple workstreams, with relocation to Waikato required for the position.

Qualifications

• Experience leading managers and operational teams in construction or infrastructure
• Proven ability to manage P&L and drive operational performance
• Strong knowledge of construction practices, commercial processes, NZS 3910, and project financials] ,
• Ability to lead people, set expectations and develop teams

Responsibilities

• Own operational delivery across multiple construction and infrastructure workstreams.
• Lead ~5 direct reports in project delivery, HSEQ, scheduling/administration and plant maintenance.
• Own operational P&L performance including productivity, cost control and forecasting.
• Oversee handover from pre-construction through planning, mobilisation, delivery and closeout.
• Oversee programming, labour, plant and resource allocation across concurrent projects.
• Improve planning, communication, accountability and follow-through across delivery teams.
• Set clear expectations for managers and hold them accountable for performance.
• Develop capability of managers and supervisors under the role.
• Maintain oversight of project commercials, including claims, variations and contractual obligations.
• Ensure timely information for claims and invoicing; work with Commercial Manager on contracts.
• Provide leadership across HSEQ, QA, compliance and plant.
• Identify risks and capability gaps; build scalable systems for growth.
• Contribute to business planning as part of Senior Leadership Team.

Skills

Leadership

P&L management

Project delivery

Planning & scheduling

Stakeholder management

NZS 3910 knowledge

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

A growing specialist contractor operating across construction, civil infrastructure and asset maintenance is looking for an experienced Operations Manager to take ownership of its operational delivery function.
Reporting to the General Manager and sitting on the Senior Leadership Team, this role will work closely with the Commercial Manager and take responsibility for projects from contract award through planning, mobilisation, delivery, claims and closeout.

This is an Operations Manager role, not a Project Manager stepping up. The focus is on leading managers, driving operational performance and ensuring the people, resources and systems across the business are working together effectively.

The business has a strong pipeline of work and national growth ambitions. This person will play a key role in building the operational capability required to support that growth.

** Please note, this position is based in the Waikato and relocation is required **

Key Responsibilities:

• Own operational delivery across multiple construction and infrastructure workstreams.
• Lead approximately five direct reports across project delivery, HSEQ, scheduling/administration and plant and equipment maintenance.
• Take ownership of operational P&L performance, including productivity, cost control, forecasting and resource utilisation.
• Manage the handover from commercial/pre-construction through planning, mobilisation, delivery and closeout.
• Oversee programming, labour, plant and resource allocation across multiple concurrent projects.
• Improve planning, communication, accountability and follow-through across the delivery teams.
• Set clear expectations for operational managers and hold them accountable for performance.
• Develop the capability of the managers and supervisors underneath the role.
• Maintain oversight of project commercials, including claims, variations and contractual obligations.
• Ensure project teams capture accurate and timely information to support claims and invoicing.
• Work closely with the Commercial Manager on contractual and commercial issues throughout delivery.
• Provide leadership oversight across HSEQ, QA, operational compliance and plant.
• Identify operational risks, capability gaps and performance issues and address them early.
• Build stronger systems and processes to support a growing national operation.
• Contribute to business planning and strategic decision-making as part of the Senior Leadership Team.

The Opportunity:

A growing specialist contractor operating across construction, civil infrastructure and asset maintenance is looking for an experienced Operations Manager to take ownership of its operational delivery function.
Reporting to the General Manager and sitting on the Senior Leadership Team, this role will work closely with the Commercial Manager and take responsibility for projects from contract award through planning, mobilisation, delivery, claims and closeout.

This is an Operations Manager role, not a Project Manager stepping up. The focus is on leading managers, driving operational performance and ensuring the people, resources and systems across the business are working together effectively.

The business has a strong pipeline of work and national growth ambitions. This person will play a key role in building the operational capability required to support that growth.

** Please note, this position is based in the Waikato and relocation is required **

Key Responsibilities:

• Own operational delivery across multiple construction and infrastructure workstreams.
• Lead approximately five direct reports across project delivery, HSEQ, scheduling/administration and plant and equipment maintenance.
• Take ownership of operational P&L performance, including productivity, cost control, forecasting and resource utilisation.
• Manage the handover from commercial/pre-construction through planning, mobilisation, delivery and closeout.
• Oversee programming, labour, plant and resource allocation across multiple concurrent projects.
• Improve planning, communication, accountability and follow-through across the delivery teams.
• Set clear expectations for operational managers and hold them accountable for performance.
• Develop the capability of the managers and supervisors underneath the role.
• Maintain oversight of project commercials, including claims, variations and contractual obligations.
• Ensure project teams capture accurate and timely information to support claims and invoicing.
• Work closely with the Commercial Manager on contractual and commercial issues throughout delivery.
• Provide leadership oversight across HSEQ, QA, operational compliance and plant.
• Identify operational risks, capability gaps and performance issues and address them early.
• Build stronger systems and processes to support a growing national operation.
• Contribute to business planning and strategic decision-making as part of the Senior Leadership Team.

Key Performance Indicators:

• Project delivery against programme, budget, quality and client expectations.
• Operational margin and overall P&L performance.
• Labour utilisation, productivity and effective resource allocation.
• Accuracy and timeliness of claims, variations and invoicing information.
• Forward planning of labour, plant and project requirements.
• HSEQ and quality performance.
• Accountability and performance across the operational management team.Own operations, lead the team and drive performance for a growing specialist contractor with a strong national pipeline.
• Development and capability of managers and supervisors.
• Client delivery, repeat business and operational service levels.
• Development of scalable systems and operational capability as the business grows.

What We're Looking For:

We are looking for an established Operations Manager with experience in construction, civil infrastructure, specialist contracting or a similar project led environment.

You will have proven experience leading managers and operational teams, with genuine responsibility for P&L and business performance.

Strong construction and commercial knowledge is essential, including an understanding of NZS 3910, claims, variations, programming and project financials.

You don't need to be the technical specialist; the priority is your ability to lead people, understand performance and get the best out of the resources around you.

Experience across both construction projects and asset maintenance or facilities environments would be advantageous.

You'll need to be comfortable entering a business where there is an opportunity to strengthen operational performance. Initially, that will mean getting into the detail, setting expectations and creating accountability before progressively empowering the team underneath you.

The role is predominantly office based in Hamilton, with site involvement and national travel when senior operational support is required.

For the right person, there is significant scope to grow with the business and potentially progress into broader business leadership over time.