Site Manager – Remote Trail Construction & Infrastructure, Australia
Creative Lines is seeking experienced Site Managers and senior trail-construction professionals to take responsibility for the day-to-day delivery of remote trail construction and associated infrastructure projects across Australia.Full-Time Private Sector
Job Location
Remote Projects, Australia
Job Description
Site Manager – Remote Trail Construction & Infrastructure, AustraliaThis is a practical, site-based leadership role for someone capable of taking control of daily site operations and coordinating the people, plant, materials, logistics, safety, quality and construction activities required to deliver a project successfully.
We are particularly interested in hearing from experienced trail-industry professionals from the United States, Canada and other established trail markets who would like to spend part of their working career delivering projects in Australia.
The Role
The Site Manager will generally be assigned to a specific project and act as the senior Creative Lines representative responsible for daily site operations.
You will report directly to the Project Manager and work closely with the broader Project Management Team, which may include the Operations Manager, Project Director and Company Directors.
The role is about converting the project program and delivery strategy into organised daily site operations.
You will be responsible for understanding what needs to happen today, what needs to happen next week, and what resources need to be organised in advance to keep the project moving.
Key Responsibilities
Depending on the project, responsibilities may include:
* taking control of daily site operations
* supervising employees, Supervisors, Leading Hands and subcontractors
* allocating labour and resources across active work fronts
* developing daily and short-term work plans
* coordinating construction activities against the project program
* monitoring productivity and progress
* setting clear daily targets for crews and subcontractors
* coordinating plant, tools, equipment and materials
* monitoring stock levels and upcoming material requirements
* coordinating deliveries and site logistics
* managing site access and movement of resources
* managing remote logistics
* conducting daily pre-starts, toolbox meetings and site briefings
* ensuring SWMS, permits and site controls are implemented
* monitoring WHS performance
* identifying and managing site hazards
* monitoring environmental controls
* ensuring environmental protection requirements are maintained
* inspecting construction quality
* ensuring work complies with drawings, specifications and approved methodologies
* managing defects and rectification
* maintaining daily site records
* recording labour, plant, materials and subcontractor activities
* providing accurate progress information to the Project Manager
* identifying potential variations and scope changes
* identifying delays and emerging constraints
* escalating contractual or commercial matters to the Project Manager
* coordinating inspections and hold points
* preparing for client and consultant site visits
* maintaining site security and housekeeping
* managing company equipment and project assets
* supporting project mobilisation and demobilisation
* maintaining a professional and productive site culture
The Projects
Depending on the project, works may include:
* natural-surface walking trails
* mountain bike trails
* minor civil and landscape works
* remote access and recreation infrastructure
* boardwalks, bridges, platforms and structures
* trailheads, shelters and visitor facilities
* stonework, drainage and erosion control
* environmental rehabilitation
* remote construction logistics
* helicopter-supported operations
* plant and material mobilisation into difficult-access locations
Projects may be delivered in National Parks, conservation areas, regional locations, remote communities and tourism destinations throughout Australia.
Relationship With the Project Manager
The Site Manager owns daily site execution.
The Project Manager owns the broader contractual, commercial and overall project-delivery responsibilities.
The Site Manager is expected to provide accurate information regarding:
* progress
* productivity
* labour
* subcontractor performance
* materials
* plant
* site conditions
* safety
* quality
* environmental performance
* constraints
* potential variations
* upcoming resource requirements
Commercial, contractual and major client matters will generally be managed by the Project Manager, with the Site Manager providing the site information required to support those decisions.
Site Leadership
On larger projects, the Site Manager may coordinate:
* Supervisors
* Leading Hands
* trail builders
* machine operators
* labourers
* specialist subcontractors
* delivery contractors
* logistics personnel
The successful applicant must be capable of setting expectations, holding people accountable and maintaining productive working relationships.
This is a leadership role, but not a desk-based one.
You need to be comfortable moving between crews, inspecting work, resolving problems, coordinating deliveries, talking with subcontractors and maintaining control of the overall site.
Remote Project Delivery
When we say remote, we mean remote.
Projects may involve:
* extended periods away from home
* FIFO or project-specific roster arrangements
* regional or remote accommodation
* camping or temporary project facilities
* long-distance travel
* limited access to services and suppliers
* difficult site access
* variable and sometimes severe weather
* helicopter-supported logistics
* remote plant mobilisation
* difficult material-delivery requirements
* multiple dispersed work fronts
* environmentally sensitive locations
Some projects require helicopter-assisted crew transfers into and out of remote work sites or project camps.
Applicants should be comfortable with helicopter travel and working in steep or exposed environments.
Comfort with heights and exposure is recommended.
Remote construction rewards good planning.
Poor planning can quickly become lost productivity, so the Site Manager needs to maintain strong awareness of upcoming labour, plant, material and logistical requirements and communicate them early.
Project Rosters
Roster arrangements vary from project to project.
Some projects operate around a conventional five-day working week.
More remote or logistically demanding projects may operate extended rosters such as:
* 9 days on / 4 days off
* 12 days on / 5 days off
Transport and accommodation associated with active remote projects will be provided by Creative Lines.
Site Managers should be prepared for project locations and roster structures to change as the construction program develops.
About You
We are looking for someone with strong practical construction knowledge and proven capability managing people and site operations.
Suitable candidates may currently be working as a:
* Site Manager
* Site Supervisor
* Construction Supervisor
* Civil Supervisor
* Trail Construction Supervisor
* Landscape Construction Supervisor
* Foreperson
* Senior Leading Hand
* Remote Works Supervisor
Experience in the trail industry is highly regarded.
Candidates from civil, landscape, environmental, parks or other remote-construction backgrounds are also encouraged to apply.
You Will Need
Strong candidates will demonstrate:
* experience supervising construction works
* strong practical construction knowledge
* experience managing employees and subcontractors
* strong daily planning and organisational skills
* experience coordinating multiple work fronts
* ability to manage labour, plant and material requirements
* ability to read drawings, specifications and construction documentation
* sound understanding of WHS requirements
* experience implementing SWMS and site controls
* understanding of environmental protection requirements
* strong quality-control awareness
* strong communication and leadership capability
* ability to maintain accurate site records
* good written reporting capability
* ability to identify construction problems early
* confidence making practical site decisions
* ability to work independently in remote environments
* a current driver's licence
* willingness to travel throughout Australia
* ability to work extended remote rosters where required
Highly Regarded Experience
Experience in any of the following will be advantageous:
* natural-surface trail construction
* mountain bike trail construction
* walking track construction
* backcountry construction
* civil construction
* landscape construction
* National Park projects
* remote-area construction
* helicopter-supported works
* environmental or ecological construction
* structural timber construction
* FRP structures and boardwalks
* stone construction
* drainage and erosion control
* excavator operation
* remote logistics
* government construction projects
* protected-area construction
Relevant trade qualifications, plant tickets, construction qualifications, first aid qualifications and supervisory training will also be viewed favourably.
Working in Australia – International Applicants
Creative Lines welcomes applications from experienced trail-industry professionals internationally.
Candidates with strong experience supervising trail or remote construction projects in North America, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Europe and other established trail markets are encouraged to apply.
International applicants must hold, or be eligible to obtain, a visa providing legal working rights in Australia.
For many applicants, Australia's Working Holiday Maker program may provide a suitable pathway.
For example:
Canadian citizens Working Holiday visa – Subclass 417
United States citizens Work and Holiday visa – Subclass 462
Applicants from other eligible countries may also have access to Working Holiday Maker visas or other visas providing Australian work rights.
Applicants are responsible for confirming their individual visa eligibility and obtaining appropriate Australian work rights before commencing employment.
For candidates with exceptional and directly relevant trail-industry experience, employment and relocation arrangements may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Employment Arrangement
The role will involve project-based travel throughout Australia.
Site Managers will generally be assigned to a specific project for the duration of their roster or deployment.
Roster arrangements will vary between projects and may involve extended periods on site followed by scheduled periods away from the project.
Employment may be structured according to the project requirements, expected duration and applicant circumstances.
Remuneration
AUD $110,000–$165,000 + superannuation
Remuneration will be negotiated according to:
* Site Manager experience
* demonstrated construction capability
* trail-industry experience
* remote-site management experience
* project complexity previously managed
* leadership capability
* technical construction knowledge
* relevant qualifications and licences
Project-specific arrangements may additionally include:
* company-funded project travel
* accommodation
* remote-area allowances
* living-away arrangements
* vehicle use
* rostered travel arrangements
The current Creative Lines position description identifies this remuneration range and notes that these additional arrangements may vary according to project requirements.
What We're Looking For in a Site Manager
This role suits someone who takes ownership of what happens on site.
At the start of each day, you should understand:
* where each crew needs to be
* what each crew needs to achieve
* what machinery is required
* what materials are required
* what safety and environmental controls need to be in place
* what may prevent progress
* what needs to be organised for tomorrow
* what the Project Manager needs to know
You will be expected to lead from the front while still allowing Supervisors and Leading Hands to manage their crews effectively.
To Apply
Please provide:
* your current CV
* a brief introduction outlining your site-management or supervisory experience
* examples of projects you have delivered
* details of crews and subcontractors you have managed
* experience working remotely or under FIFO-style arrangements
* trail, civil, landscape or infrastructure construction experience
* experience managing remote logistics
* helicopter-supported project experience, if applicable
* relevant qualifications, licences and plant tickets
* availability for remote work
* your current location
* your Australian work rights, visa status or intended visa pathway
Photos, project examples or a portfolio of previous trail work are also welcome.
Applicants without direct trail-industry experience may still be considered where they can demonstrate strong site leadership, practical construction knowledge and experience delivering work in demanding environments.
This role is for someone who takes responsibility for what happens on site and makes sure the job is organised, productive and delivered properly.
