Head of Construction in Sydney

We're partnering with a respected high-end builder to find a senior construction leader for its next stage of growth. This role combines construction leadership, commercial management, people development, systems improvement and business development.

You’ll take charge of the day-to-day operation of high-end residential homes while helping establish a new commercial and small works stream covering fit-outs, retail and refurbishments. You’ll work directly with the Managing Director, freeing him to focus on key client and architect relationships, design problem solving, value engineering and strategy.

What you’ll do:

• Lead delivery across all live residential projects, and commercial and small works projects as that stream grows.
• Set clear expectations for Site Managers and hold them accountable for safety, quality, program, cost and communication.
• Own monthly cost-to-complete forecasting, margin reporting and cash flow visibility.
• Manage budgets, commitments, subcontract packages, variations and claims, and flag commercial and contractual risks early.
• Review existing systems and implement practical, scalable processes that suit a hands-on construction business.
• Use your industry relationships to bring in suitable new work from architects, interior designers, project managers, consultants and commercial clients.
• Support early contractor involvement, buildability reviews, preliminary budgets and proposals, and maintain a disciplined opportunity pipeline.
• Build and coach a capable management team through regular one-to-ones, project reviews and performance discussions.
• Provide leadership oversight of WHS, quality assurance, environmental obligations and statutory compliance.
• Work under an agreed delegation of authority, making timely operational decisions and escalating material risks to the MD.

Your first year:

• First 90 days: Review all live projects, contracts, people and systems. Establish weekly project reviews and a risk register, and present an operational improvement plan to the MD.
• By six months: Roll out consistent programming, procurement, forecasting, variation, reporting, quality and close-out processes. Set the management rhythm for Site Managers and launch a qualified opportunity pipeline.
• By 12 months: Deliver improved visibility, forecasting accuracy, margin protection and program control. Build a structure that can support six to eight concurrent projects, secure new work and recommend the next stage of the operating structure.

About you:

• Substantial construction experience with senior responsibility for multiple concurrent projects.
• Leadership experience in a well-structured construction organisation, ideally followed by success in a smaller or entrepreneurial environment.
• Strong delivery across high-quality residential, refurbishment, commercial, retail or fit-out work (experience in both residential and commercial is highly regarded).
• Proven commercial capability in forecasting, subcontract procurement, variations, claims, contracts and margin management.
• Evidence of implementing practical systems and lifting team accountability.
• A credible industry network and a track record of originating and converting opportunities.
• Commercially astute, direct, calm and accountable, and comfortable moving between strategy and site-level problems.
• Motivated by building a business and a leadership team, not just managing an existing portfolio.

Remuneration: An executive-level package will be negotiated based on your experience and the final scope of the role. Any performance incentive will be linked to a balanced scorecard covering profitability, project outcomes, leadership and systems.