South Island Construction Manager

Our client is a well-established New Zealand construction business on a growth journey. With a strong foundation in multi-residential and light commercial projects, they’re now expanding their capability into larger vertical builds and mixed-use developments across the South Island. The business has the backing, systems, and leadership to support that shift, and this role is key to helping make it happen.

About the Role
This position sits on the senior leadership team and leads South Island construction operations. You’ll oversee the delivery of multiple projects across the South Island, supporting Project and Site Managers while ensuring commercial, quality, and programme targets are met. The role combines technical construction expertise with team leadership, someone who can mentor, guide, and grow capability across the business as it scales its commercial delivery.

Projects range from high-density residential and retail developments to warehouse builds and mid-scale vertical work. The environment suits someone who enjoys variety, thrives in a hands-on leadership role, and wants to contribute to the evolution of a business with clear long-term goals.

Key responsibilities include:
  • Oversee construction delivery across multiple South Island projects, ensuring consistency in quality, programme, and financial performance
  • Lead and develop teams of Project and Site Managers, providing on-site technical guidance and leadership
  • Contribute to tender reviews, construction methodologies, and planning at both bid and delivery stages
  • Foster collaboration across estimating, QS, and development teams to ensure alignment from design to delivery
  • Maintain strong relationships with clients, consultants, and subcontractors
  • Champion safety, quality, and operational improvement
What You’ll Bring:
  • 10+ years’ experience in commercial construction, ideally within a main contractor environment
  • Strong leadership background, managing teams of PMs and SMs across multiple sites
  • A practical understanding of construction processes, ideally supported by trade or professional qualifications
  • Proven experience with NZS3910/3916/3915 contracts and NZ Building Standards
  • Strategic thinking balanced with a hands-on, supportive approach
  • Proficiency with construction systems such as Procore or similar
  • The ability to influence, mentor, and make decisions with confidence and integrity
What’s on Offer:
  • Salary up to $160k + annual incentive ($20k) + vehicle\
  • Subsidised health insurance
  • Strong national backing with local autonomy and decision-making authority
  • Career growth opportunity as the business builds its commercial capability
If you’re a capable construction leader who thrives in a hands-on environment and wants to help shape the next stage of a growing commercial business, we’d love to have a confidential chat.

To join this exciting company, please click "Apply now".

Please note - we do not always work to fixed closing dates and may start considering applications as they are received, so we encourage you to apply early.
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