Mō te tūranga | About the role
This one’s for a Design Manager who enjoys being close to the action – working with regional operations teams, getting practical input from site, and helping shape designs that actually work on the ground.
We’re looking for a Design Manager to join our regional Contracting division where you’ll manage and coordinate the design functions for a range of water and other infrastructure projects – from tender stage through to delivery.
You’ll work across pre‑contracts and operations: supporting bid teams with smart, buildable design solutions, then ensuring we deliver fully compliant designs that meet programme, budget and client expectations. It’s a flat, low‑ego environment where your ideas matter and you’re empowered to make decisions, move quickly and collaborate directly with consultants, clients and site crews.
Ngā tino kawenga mahi | Key role responsibilities
Lead and coordinate design teams and consultants for D&C of some critical water and other infrastructure projects, including defining scopes, temporary works and commercial arrangements within budgets and delegations.
Oversee design programmes and deliverables in line with tender plans, ensuring constructability, methodology and staging are fully integrated with input from regional teams and partners.
Manage peer review requirements across delivery models, ensuring reviews are completed on time including internal/external reviews, approvals and stakeholder interfaces.
Work closely with clients to support pre‑contract requirements and value engineering, making sure customer requirements are understood and met.
Deliver fully compliant final designs and IFC drawings to the team, aligned with programme and budget.
Support the regional tender and operational teams in managing tender strategies, lessons learnt workshops and successful bid submissions.
Kei te kimi mātou i tētahi e whai ana i ēnei pūkenga | We’re looking for someone with
Tertiary qualification in Engineering (or closely related discipline)
Around 10+ years’ experience in design management and/or water, roading and contracting project management
Proven experience coordinating multi‑disciplinary designs for civil infrastructure, ideally with both design and site exposure
Well‑developed analytical, negotiation and interpersonal skills, with a collaborative mindset at the forefront
Ability to interpret and apply contracts, specifications and design requirements in a practical way and support commercial decision‑making
Working knowledge of current legislation, including health and safety and environmental legislation
A positive, enthusiastic approach – proactive, solutions‑focused and comfortable in a fast‑moving regional contracting environment
This role gives you a strong blend of responsibility, variety and backing, with the chance to make a real hands-on impact through fast-paced decision making – whether you’re keen to grow your Contracting design leadership or you’re looking to step across into Contracting from a Consultancy background.
He pai te mahi, he pai ngā painga | Good work, good benefits
At Fulton Hogan, we genuinely care about the wellbeing of our people and giving them the tools and opportunities they need to succeed and grow with us. You’ll have access to:
Medical insurance and Life insurance after the eligibility period.
KiwiSaver employer contributions after service milestones, up to 7%.
Parental leave top up payment with additional return to work support.
Ongoing training and development, with clear career growth and progression opportunities.
Great discounts at a wide range of retailers.
Me pēhea te tono | How to apply
If you’re keen to take ownership of design on meaningful regional projects, stay close to delivery, and be part of a low-ego, high-performing team, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now with your CV and a short cover letter highlighting your design management and construction delivery experience.
All successful candidates must undergo and pass a pre‑employment medical and drug screen prior to employment.
Skills Required
- Tertiary qualification in Engineering or closely related discipline
- Around 10+ years' experience in design management and/or water, roading and contracting project management
- Proven experience coordinating multi-disciplinary designs for civil infrastructure
- Design and site exposure (construction site experience)
- Ability to interpret and apply contracts, specifications and design requirements to support commercial decision-making
- Working knowledge of health, safety and environmental legislation
- Well-developed analytical, negotiation and interpersonal skills with a collaborative mindset
- Pass a pre-employment medical and drug screen
What We Do
Fulton Hogan has 90 years experience in the transport, water, energy, mining and land development infrastructure sector in New Zealand, Australia and the South Pacific. We create communities from the ground up, starting with our own network of quarries, complemented by our asphalt, emulsion and precast plants and we pride ourselves on being a family company – one which cares about communities and the people in them, especially our customers, suppliers and our people. Our 10,000+ strong team helps to create, connect, and care for communities; building the roads, ports, airports, infrastructure and property which bring people together
