Project Superintendent | Benmore Hydro

Seipp Construction; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 160,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company vehicle

Accommodation while working away from 

Living-away allowance

Rostered working arrangement

Private health insurance for permanent

Job summary

Seipp Construction is seeking an experienced Project Superintendent to take ownership of day-to-day construction delivery on Benmore, New Zealand’s largest earth dam and a major renewable-energy asset. You will lead multiple civil, structural and mechanical work fronts, overseeing Supervisors, Foremen and engineers to drive planning, safety, quality and timely completion on a live operating hydro site.

You will partner with the Senior Project Manager, maintain authority to allocate resources,

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading delivery on major civil, mechanical, energy or heavy infrastructure projects.
• Proven ability to manage multiple teams and work fronts.
• Relevant civil or mechanical trade qualification.
• Practical understanding of mechanical installation and civil–mechanical interfaces.
• Experience coordinating temporary works, heavy lifts and specialist subcontractors.
• Strong knowledge of construction safety, quality and environmental requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead the operational delivery of the project across multiple civil, structural and mechanical fronts.
• Manage Supervisors, Foremen, Leading Hands and site engineers.
• Develop and drive three-week look-ahead programmes.
• Coordinate labour, plant, materials, subcontractors and specialist suppliers.
• Sequence activities around access, temporary works, lifting and installation requirements.
• Oversee mechanical works within an operating hydro asset.
• Ensure permits, isolations, hold points and client requirements are built into the plan.
• Maintain safe, organised and resourced work fronts.

Skills

Construction leadership

Team leadership

Short-term planning

Reading drawings

Safety & QA

Client management

Driver's licence

Education

Civil or mechanical trade qualification

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.

$160,000 to $180,000 + vehicle | Accommodation provided | Living-away allowance

Take ownership of construction delivery on one of New Zealand’s most distinctive infrastructure projects

Benmore is New Zealand’s largest earth dam and its second-largest hydro station, generating enough renewable electricity to power around 298,000 homes.

Seipp Construction is delivering complex seismic strengthening works across Benmore’s six concrete penstocks. The project brings together significant civil, structural and mechanical construction within a live operating hydro environment.

We are looking for an experienced Project Superintendent to take ownership of day-to-day construction delivery across the site.

This is not a single-crew supervision role. You will lead multiple work fronts through Supervisors, Foremen and engineers, driving short-term planning, productivity, safety, quality and coordination across civil, mechanical and specialist subcontractor teams.

The work includes structural construction, temporary works, specialist steel installation, hydraulic and jacking systems, bearing and damper installation, heavy lifts, testing and commissioning. It requires a Superintendent who can see the full project picture while staying close enough to the work to identify issues and remove barriers early.

You will work closely with the Senior Project Manager and have genuine authority to organise resources, set expectations, challenge the plan and keep construction moving safely and efficiently.

A rostered working arrangement will apply. Seipp will provide accommodation and a living-away allowance for eligible employees working away from home.

What you will be responsible for

You will lead the operational delivery of the project, including:

• Leading multiple civil, structural and mechanical work fronts
• Managing Supervisors, Foremen, Leading Hands and site engineering teams
• Developing and driving three-week look-ahead programmes
• Coordinating labour, plant, materials, subcontractors and specialist suppliers
• Sequencing civil and mechanical activities around access, temporary works, lifting and installation requirements
• Overseeing specialist mechanical works within an operating hydro asset
• Ensuring permits, isolations, hold points and client operational requirements are built into the plan
• Monitoring productivity and resolving barriers before they affect programme delivery
• Maintaining safe, organised and properly resourced work fronts
• Ensuring construction complies with drawings, specifications and approved methodologies
• Driving civil and mechanical quality assurance, testing, commissioning and handover
• Managing critical risks associated with heavy lifting, stored energy, hydraulic and jacking systems, temporary works and work at height
• Maintaining clear communication with the Senior Project Manager, client, designers and specialist contractors
• Developing the capability of Supervisors, Foremen and emerging leaders
• Addressing performance concerns early and maintaining clear accountability across the site

What you will bring

We are looking for someone with:

• Extensive experience leading construction delivery on major civil, mechanical, industrial, energy or heavy infrastructure projects
• Proven experience managing multiple teams and work fronts through Supervisors and Foremen
• Strong short-term planning, sequencing and resource-management capability
• A relevant civil or mechanical trade qualification
• A practical understanding of complex mechanical installation and civil-mechanical interfaces
• Experience coordinating temporary works, heavy lifts and specialist subcontractors
• Strong knowledge of construction safety, quality and environmental requirements
• The ability to interpret drawings, specifications and construction methodologies
• A calm, decisive and practical approach to solving site problems
• Strong client and stakeholder relationships
• A current full New Zealand driver licence

A mechanical trade background would be valuable, but it is not essential if you can demonstrate strong multidisciplinary construction leadership.

Experience in hydro generation, renewable energy, heavy industrial construction, marine infrastructure, pump stations or work within an operating asset would be an advantage.

What is on offer

• $160,000 to $180,000, depending on experience
• Company vehicle
• Accommodation while working away from home
• Living-away allowance
• Rostered working arrangement
• Private health insurance for permanent employees
• Genuine authority over construction delivery
• A significant leadership role on a nationally important renewable-energy project
• Support from an experienced project, engineering, commercial and operational team
• Longer-term opportunities across Seipp’s growing infrastructure project pipeline

About Seipp

Seipp is a growing New Zealand-owned infrastructure construction company delivering complex projects across the country.

We are practical, delivery focused and serious about doing the job properly. Our leaders are expected to be visible, accountable and brilliant at the basics. They plan ahead, set clear expectations, protect people and resources and help others perform at their best.

At Benmore, you will contribute to work that will strengthen one of New Zealand’s most important renewable-energy assets for generations to come.

If you are an experienced construction leader who enjoys complex work, genuine responsibility and leading good people through challenging delivery, we would like to hear from you.