Senior Site Manager

BESIX Watpac, a builder with more than a century of heritage and a strong footprint across Australia and New Zealand, is looking for a Senior Site Manager to join its Christchurch team. This is a full-time, onsite role reporting to the Project Manager and focused on steering on‑site operations, programming, subcontractor coordination and logistics. It’s a position that will suit someone who leads with safety, quality and delivery accountability on demanding construction projects.

With experience across stadiums and venues, hospitals, complex industrial facilities and secure infrastructure, BESIX Watpac aims to leave a lasting mark on the communities it serves. The Christchurch project will rely on practical site leadership to keep progress moving and to sustain collaboration with design teams and suppliers.

On Site Leadership For The Christchurch Project

On a day-to-day basis, the Senior Site Manager is responsible for proactively driving safety, environment and quality practices in line with Management Plans and OH&S requirements, creating a safe and compliant workplace at all times. They coordinate construction activities both on and off site and ensure all conditions and regulations are followed.

They chair site coordination meetings with subcontractors, suppliers and members of the design team to review progress, address coordination issues, discuss work practices and keep construction progressing in a timely and professional manner.

The role involves reviewing the construction programme with the programming department and re-sequencing the plan as needed to achieve the programmed completion date, keeping the project on track. They ensure the work is delivered in accordance with contract documents and take accountability for the on‑site delivery of the technical component of the subcontractor scope of works.

The Right Candidate

The incumbent in this role will require the following qualifications and experience:

• Degree/Diploma in building/construction, or other recognised tertiary or trade qualification in a construction related field.
• Demonstrated experience in delivering large building projects for a principal contractor.
• Ability to communicate, influence and build effective relationships at all levels of the business.
• Demonstrated ability to operate autonomously using initiative, sound reasoning, listening and decision making skills.
• Proven ability to build and lead an effective results driven team.

Pay And Practical Details

Based in Christchurch, this role offers a competitive remuneration package and long-term career development opportunities. In addition, employees enjoy access to several benefits:

• Wellbeing Days - three additional leave days per year.
• Awards and Recognition Program, rewarding employees who bring our values to life.
• Access to a wellbeing program including annual skin checks and flu vaccinations.
• Social events and Family Days.

Advice For Applicants

Put the most relevant experience at the top of your resume, spotlighting senior site management on large building projects for a principal contractor, and show how you lead on safety, quality and subcontractor coordination.

When you describe your skills, back them up with concrete examples of autonomous leadership, initiative in solving problems on site, and how you’ve built relationships with clients, subcontractors and design teams to drive results.

Be ready to talk through how you would review the construction programme and re-sequence it to meet the completion date, including how you manage contract documents and ensure the on-site delivery of the subcontractor’s technical scope.

Consider asking, “How does the site team interact with the programming department and design team to keep progress on track and resolve clashes quickly?”