Technical Director/Project Director - Civil Structures

Holmes Aus & Nz; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Holmes Aus & Nz in Christchurch seeks a senior Technical Director/Project Director to lead civil structures projects across the South Island and nationally. You will provide technical leadership from concept through to detailed design and construction support, directing teams of engineers and collaborating with clients and partners.

The role requires significant experience in bridges and transport infrastructure, Chartered Engineer status, strong communication, and a passion for delivering

Qualifications

• Significant experience in bridges, transport structures, marine structures, or water-retaining infrastructure.
• Strong track record of leading complex projects and delivering successfully.
• Deep technical capability and sound engineering judgement.
• Experience leading, mentoring, and reviewing the work of other engineers.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with clients and project teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of complex civil structures projects across a diverse infrastructure portfolio.
• Provide senior technical input and review across design and project delivery.
• Guide and support project teams to deliver high-quality engineering outcomes.
• Mentor junior and developing engineers, helping build capability and confidence.
• Work closely with clients, project partners, and colleagues to deliver projects successfully.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Engineering judgement

Education

Chartered Professional Engineer status

Job description

Technical Director/Project Director - Civil Structures

Holmes Aus & Nz - Christchurch, South Island

At Holmes, we take on the projects that matter - complex bridges, transport links, marine structures, and water infrastructure where sound engineering judgement, technical excellence, and creative thinking make the difference. Based in Christchurch, this is an opportunity to join a highly regarded team and play a leading role in delivering complex civil structures projects across the South Island and nationally.

This is a senior technical role for someone who enjoys leading projects, guiding teams, and staying close to the engineering. You will provide technical leadership across a range of civil structures projects, supporting delivery from concept through to detailed design and construction support. You will work across bridges, transport structures, marine infrastructure, and water-retaining structures, leading teams, mentoring engineers, and helping deliver the high standard of work Holmes is known for.

Day to day, you'll:

• lead the delivery of complex civil structures projects across a diverse infrastructure portfolio
• provide senior technical input and review across design and project delivery
• guide and support project teams to deliver high-quality engineering outcomes
• mentor junior and developing engineers, helping build capability and confidence
• work closely with clients, project partners, and colleagues to deliver projects successfully

You will be a senior level Civil Structural or Bridge Engineer with a strong background in infrastructure and civil structures projects.

To be considered for this role, we're ideally looking for:

• significant experience in bridges, transport structures, marine structures, or water-retaining infrastructure
• a strong track record of leading complex projects and supporting successful delivery
• deep technical capability and sound engineering judgement
• experience leading, mentoring, and reviewing the work of other engineers
• strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with clients and project teams
• Chartered Professional Engineer status, or equivalent

Most importantly, you will be someone who cares about quality, enjoys helping others develop, and wants to contribute to genuinely excellent engineering.

At Holmes, we are passionate about great engineering and the people behind it. Our Christchurch team offers the chance to work on significant and technically challenging projects alongside respected engineers in a supportive and down-to-earth environment. We work hard, enjoy what we do, and back each other along the way.