Construction Manager, Renewables (BESS)

Te āhua o te tūranga | The nature of the role

This is your chance to step into a hands on leadership role as our Construction Manager, Renewables (BESS), supporting the Major Projects Group to deliver a Battery Energy Storage System project through to completion. You will be working in a direct managed contract model, meaning Contact directly manages the full delivery scope, from engineering and procurement through construction, commissioning, start up, and integration, so your influence is real and visible every day on site.

In the execute phase, you will lead the civil, structural, architectural, and electrical scopes, guiding your direct reports, partnering closely with functional leads, and keeping the whole site moving safely and smoothly. You will set the tone for HSWE, drive contractor oversight across safety, budget, schedule, quality, and risk, and keep reporting sharp and timely so the wider team can make great decisions. You will also help steer planning and progress sessions, support change management, keep regulatory and permitting compliance on track, and work alongside Contracts Management to manage claims fairly and effectively.

Qualifications

Ko wai koe | About you

You are the kind of person who can lead calmly when the pressure is on, you communicate clearly, you connect the dots, and you keep people in the loop whether it is in a meeting or a quick kōrero on site. You take pride in delivery, you are self starting and outcome driven, and you know that big projects take a village, so you build trust, give credit, and bring people with you. You also like working in the grey at times, staying curious, open to different perspectives, and focused on leaving a legacy you would be proud to stand behind.

Must have

• Proven experience leading onsite construction execution on complex, large scale design build projects, with strong contractor oversight and performance management across safety, time, cost, quality, and risk.
• Solid understanding of how design, engineering, procurement, materials, construction, commissioning, start up, and integration fit together, and how to sequence work to avoid clashes.
• Confidence with project controls and finance fundamentals, including scheduling, progress measurement, cost control, change management, and risk management, plus the ability to report clearly to different audiences.

Nice to have

• Experience in the power generation sector, ideally renewables such as BESS, solar, or wind, and ideally a mix of owner and contractor environments.
• A relevant degree in construction management, electrical engineering, or similar, and industry recognised certifications.
• Exposure to diverse teams, locations, or cultures, and a confident, collaborative style in stakeholder management, negotiation, and conflict resolution.

If you are reading this and thinking, I have most of that, but not every last piece, ka pai, we still want to hear from you. If you bring strong construction leadership, a safety first mindset, and the drive to deliver something meaningful for Aotearoa, you could be exactly who we are looking for.

Additional Information

This role is currently fixed term for approximately 18 months. 

There are a bunch of perks to being a Contact kaimahi (employee). Along with great leadership, teammates, development, and growth and progression opportunities, you’ll enjoy flexible working, a ‘Good to be Home’ annual payment toward your home set up & wellbeing, discounts on Contact Energy products, and more.

Applications close 9am Monday the 23rd of March

Here at Contact Energy (Te Mata Hiko), we know our strength lies in developing a sense of belonging - one that helps us attract and retain people with a broad range of perspectives and experiences.

We’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to bring their whole selves to work. Our goal is to reflect the diversity of our customers and communities to help build a better Aotearoa New Zealand.

We have a rich community of talented people that we support to thrive at Contact.

Our inclusive hiring process is designed to embrace the diversity of Aotearoa New Zealand, ensuring a wide range of perspectives are included in our decision-making and helping reduce bias along the way.

The wellbeing of our kaimahi is super important to us.

We use employee insights to offer a range of initiatives and resources to support physical, mental, financial and emotional wellbeing – including flexible working arrangements, employee network groups and a market-leading parental leave policy.

At Te Mata Hiko, we want everyone to thrive. We welcome applicants far and wide - of every age, stage, background, and pride. Join us and be part of a team that values your passion and attitude just as much as your experience and skills.

Please note, only candidates with the right to live and work in New Zealand will be considered for this role.

Research shows that while men apply to jobs where they meet 60% of the criteria, women and those in underrepresented groups tend to only apply if they tick every box. We're not about box ticking, so if you think you have what it takes but don't meet everything stated above, please still get in touch. We'd love to kōrero.

Te Mata Hiko (Contact Energy) does not accept any CVs received from recruitment agencies where a formal engagement has not been confirmed and agreed to with our Talent team. In the event that unsolicited CVs are submitted by recruitment agencies, Te Mata Hiko (Contact Energy) reserves the right to contact these candidates directly and consider them for current/future vacancies without any financial obligation to the recruitment agency in question. This will also apply to any CVs sent directly to line managers.