Project Commercial Manager - Ō2NL Project

Downer; Levin; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Downer is seeking a Project Commercial Manager for the critical Ōtaki to North of Levin Highway project. This leadership role involves managing financial and risk aspects while fostering relationships with stakeholders. Ideal candidates will bring extensive infrastructure experience and a relevant qualification to ensure commercial success on major projects.

Benefits

Ongoing mentoring and development opportunities

Competitive remuneration package

Community volunteering initiatives

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in commercial leadership within large-scale infrastructure.
• Proven track record on projects valued at $100M+.
• Experience in an integrated team environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership to Quantity Surveyors and the commercial team.
• Oversee QS functions including cost forecasting and contract management.
• Drive business improvement initiatives and commercial acumen.

Skills

Negotiation

Problem-solving

Commercial awareness

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification - BSc, RICS, NZCQS, Law or equivalent

Job description

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If you're driven by the challenge of maximising sustained project profitability on a major infrastructure project, this is the perfect opportunity for you!

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.

Explore your next career move with Downer and our Infrastructure Delivery team. We are seeking a

If you're driven by the challenge of maximising sustained project profitability on a major infrastructure project, this is the perfect opportunity for you!

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.

Explore your next career move with Downer and our Infrastructure Delivery team. We are seeking a Project Commercial Manager to join us on a key project leaving a lasting legacy in the Horowhenua District.



Te kōwhiringa | The Opportunity
The Project Commercial Manager plays a critical leadership role, responsible for driving the contractual, financial, and risk management aspects for the Ōtaki to North of Levin Highway (Ō2NL) project. You'll ensure that all QS activities align with alliance-wide strategies, foster commercial awareness across the team, and strengthen stakeholder relationships.



Key responsibilities will include:

• Provide leadership and mentoring to Quantity Surveyors and wider commercial team, ensuring sound financial and best practices are applied to all project operations.
• Oversee all alliance-specific QS functions including contract management, cost forecasting, estimating, outcome-driven activities, reporting, performance tracking and contract closure.
• Drive business improvement initiatives and promoting commercial acumen across the project team.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with project stakeholders, including iwi partners, councils, and contractors.
• Ensuring compliance with alliance governance frameworks while minimising costs.
• Champion a Zero Harm culture whilst fostering strong collaboration across cross-functional teams to ensure aligned project delivery.

This project houses offices in Ōtaki and Wellington. Travel may be required to stay connected to the mahi and our alliance community.

About Ō2NL:

The Ōtaki to north of Levin (Ō2NL) highway will dramatically improve safety, resilience, and efficiency, as well as increasing transport choices for the area's growing population. The Ō2NL project is led in partnership with NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Muaūpoko Tribal Authority, local hapū of Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga and council partner Horowhenua District Council.

This transformative project is being delivered using a two-alliance approach, with each alliance delivering a section of the road and associated works. Together alliance partners are working to create a positive legacy for the region, led by our project principles to tread lightly with the whenua and create an enduring legacy. We are seeking excellent people for this unique opportunity to work and collaborate with leading industry organisations.

Nga pūkenga matua | Important Skills
To succeed in this role, you will bring extensive experience in commercial leadership within large-scale infrastructure environments. We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate the following:

• Relevant tertiary qualification - BSc, RICS, NZCQS, Law or equivalent
• Proven track record of delivering commercial outcomes on major infrastructure or civil construction projects valued at $100M+
• Exposure to Alliance and/or Joint Venture delivery models is advantageous.
• Strong intellectual capability with well-developed negotiation and problem-solving skills
• Skilled in claims preparation and dispute resolution
• Strong knowledge and application of Target Outturn Cost (TOC) commercial framework
• Experience working in a fully integrated team environment.

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

• Working for a progressive and reliable organisation, you will be offered a competitive remuneration package and the opportunity to grow and develop your career.
• You will receive ongoing mentoring, training, and development opportunities to ensure your knowledge and skills continue to be industry leading and your career opportunities limitless in an organisation the size of ours.
• We pride ourselves on our socially responsible, inclusive, and diverse culture, that includes a Zero Harm tolerance.
• We are Rainbow tick certified and members of Diversity Works.
• We also encourage our people to participate in community volunteering initiatives and pay for the time you spend helping to make our community better with Downer's volunteer leave.

Ko wai mātou | Our Organisation

Want to know more about what it is like to work at Downer? Then head to our People Site here!

Me pēhea ki te tono | How to apply

If this sounds like the opportunity for you, click Apply Now to submit your application! The reference number for this role is [###].

We are committed to a safe working environment for everyone - all successful applicants will be required to undertake a pre-employment drug test, medical and a Ministry of Justice check prior to starting employment. If you need support with this requirement, please talk to our team.

Unlock job insights

Salary match Number of applicants Skills match

Downer is the leading provider of integrated services in Australia and New Zealand. Driven by our purpose to enable communities to thrive, we deliver essential infrastructure services that improve the lives of millions of people every day and leave a lasting legacy for future generations.

Downer is one of Australia and New Zealand's largest employers, with 31,000 people who are united by a high-performance culture, called ‘The Downer Difference’. Our teams operate in sectors that are closely connected to population growth, urbanisation, national security, and decarbonisation – including roads, rail, ports and airports, power, gas, water, telecommunications, health, education and defence.

Downer is the leading provider of integrated services in Australia and New Zealand. Driven by our purpose to enable communities to thrive, we deliver essential infrastructure services that improve the lives of millions of people every day and leave a lasting legacy for future generations.

Downer is one of Australia and New Zealand's largest employers, with 31,000 people who are united by a high-performance culture, called ‘The Downer Difference’. Our teams operate in sectors that are closely connected to population growth, urbanisation, national security, and decarbonisation – including roads, rail, ports and airports, power, gas, water, telecommunications, health, education and defence.

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