Senior Site Manager

Cook Brothers; Wānaka; On-site; NZD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive remuneration package

Award-winning projects

Career development and growth

Positive collaborative workplace

Job summary

Cook Brothers is seeking a Senior Site Manager for Wanaka to lead site operations and construction teams. You will drive safety, quality, and delivery, coordinating with Project Managers, clients and trade partners to meet programme milestones.

The role requires a Gold Card Licensed Building Practitioner, six years' experience, and strong leadership with excellent communication to foster a high-performing team in a beautiful New Zealand setting.

Qualifications

• Licensed Building Practitioner with Gold Card.
• Minimum six years' post-qualification building experience.
• Proficient in construction methods, drawings, and NZ standards.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver projects safely, on time and to quality.

Responsibilities

• Lead site teams, subcontractors, suppliers and partners.
• Coordinate day-to-day activities and sequence works to milestones.
• Run toolbox talks, site meetings and Last Planner sessions.
• Monitor quality, ITPs and project compliance.
• Oversee health and safety aligned with Zero Harm principles.
• Maintain site documentation: RFIs, diaries, records, updates.
• Collaborate with Project Manager on labour, materials and costs.
• Provide regular progress updates and manage risks/variations.
• Foster strong client, consultant, engineer and council relations.
• Coach teams to deliver high-quality workmanship.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Stakeholder management

Communication

Construction methods

Building Act knowledge

Procore

Lentune

MS Project

Education

Licensed Building Practitioner

Tools

Procore

Lentune

MS Project

Outlook

Word

Excel

Job description

About the Role: Senior Site Manager, Wānaka

Reporting to the Construction Manager/Regional Manager, the Senior Site Manager is responsible for leading site operations and construction teams to ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently, on time, on budget, and to the highest quality standards. Working closely with Project Managers, clients, consultants, and trade partners, you will provide hands‑on leadership, drive site performance, and foster a positive team culture aligned with Cook Brothers Construction's values.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and coordinate site teams, subcontractors, suppliers, and trade partners.
• Manage day‑to‑day site activities, sequencing works to achieve programme milestones.
• Lead toolbox talks, site meetings, and Last Planner sessions.
• Monitor quality standards, inspection test plans (ITPs), and project compliance requirements.
• Oversee health and safety performance, promoting Above the Line behaviours and Zero Harm principles.
• Manage site documentation including RFIs, site diaries, compliance records, and programme updates.
• Coordinate labour, materials, equipment, and resources in collaboration with the Project Manager.
• Monitor progress, identify risks and variations, and provide regular project updates.
• Build strong working relationships with clients, consultants, architects, engineers, and council inspectors.
• Coach and mentor site teams to deliver high‑quality workmanship and project outcomes.

Skills and Experience:

• Minimum 6 years' building experience post qualification.
• Licensed Building Practitioner and Gold Card (required).
• Proven experience leading construction site teams and managing subcontractors.
• Strong understanding of construction methodologies, drawings, specifications, and NZ building requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver projects safely, on time, and to a high standard of quality.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience managing site programmes, costs, and project documentation.
• Strong coaching and mentoring capability with the ability to build high-performing teams.
• Sound financial awareness and ability to contribute to profitable project outcomes.
• Proficient in Microsoft Project, Outlook, Word, Excel, and construction management systems including Procore and Lentune.
• Strong knowledge of the Building Act, Construction Contracts Act, Health and Safety at Work Act, NZ Standards, and Last Planner methodology.

About Us

At Cook Brothers Construction, we back our teams to take ownership, make smart calls, and deliver with pride. Our strength lies in our people and their drive to continually raise the bar. This has led to a legacy of 20 years of dedication and teamwork. We value hard work, celebrate achievements, and take pride in the results we create and the connections we form.

From our Dunedin roots to growth across Auckland, Canterbury, Southern Lakes, Wānaka, and Otago, we’ve built a reputation as one of New Zealand’s leading construction firms. Our foundations are clear: innovation, quality, sustainability, client satisfaction, health, safety and wellbeing.

If you’re looking to contribute to a company that values trust, collaboration, and growth, Cook Brothers is the place to be.

What We Offer:

• Competitive remuneration package
• Opportunities to work on exciting, complex, and award‑winning projects
• Career development and professional growth supported by a high‑performing team
• A positive, collaborative workplace culture
• Work/life balance and the lifestyle benefits of living in some beautiful placesHealth and wellbeing support, including access to EAP services
• Social events, team activities, and a genuinely supportive environment
• Exposure to landmark commercial developments across New Zealand
• A company that values innovation, continuous improvement, and excellence

Why Join Us?

This is a great opportunity if you're looking for a role where you can lead from the front, mentor and develop site teams, and play a key role in delivering high‑quality projects safely, on time, and on budget.

You'll be working on meaningful, high‑profile projects in one of the most stunning parts of the country, alongside a team that values strong leadership, quality craftsmanship, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Please note, we are not accepting applications from external recruitment agencies for this role.