Role details
Hands-on Civil Site Manager to lead civil excavation, trenching, and underground infrastructure works across large-scale solar and renewable energy projects — from planning through to completion, handover, and reporting to Company Directors.
Key responsibilities
Day-to-day ownership of civil excavation and trenching across solar and renewable project sites.
- Manage day-to-day civil excavation and trenching operations across the project
- Plan and coordinate trenching for DC and AC cabling, conduits, earthing systems and underground electrical infrastructure
- Manage bulk and detailed excavation, trenching, backfilling, compaction, grading, roadworks and reinstatement activities
- Develop daily and weekly work plans to ensure civil activities remain aligned with the overall construction programme
- Establish and monitor production targets for excavation and trenching crews
- Track actual progress against planned quantities and implement corrective actions where required
- Coordinate supervisors, operators, labour crews, subcontractors and plant across multiple work fronts
- Manage the efficient utilisation of excavators, trenchers, loaders, graders, rollers and other civil construction equipment
- Coordinate civil works with electrical, mechanical and engineering teams to ensure construction activities are completed in the correct sequence
- Read and interpret civil drawings, electrical layouts, trench details, construction specifications and project documentation
- Ensure trench depths, widths, alignments, cable separation, bedding, backfill and compaction comply with approved drawings and project specifications
- Ensure underground services are identified and appropriate excavation permits and controls are in place before works commence
- Coordinate inspections, hold points, testing and quality documentation before backfilling and closing work areas
- Monitor subcontractor performance and ensure works are completed safely, efficiently and to the required standard
- Forecast labour, plant and material requirements to maintain productivity and prevent programme delays
- Identify construction constraints and develop practical solutions to maintain project progress
- Conduct site inspections, pre-start meetings, toolbox talks and coordination meetings
- Maintain high standards of WHS, environmental compliance, quality and safe excavation practices
- Provide clear and accurate reporting to the Company Directors on civil progress, productivity, programme, resources, risks and key project issues
- Take ownership of civil and excavation works from mobilisation through construction, completion and handover
About you
Proven civil excavation leadership on major construction and utility-scale renewable projects.
- Proven experience managing civil excavation and trenching operations on major construction projects
- Previous experience working on utility-scale solar farms, renewable energy or major electrical infrastructure projects
- Strong knowledge of underground electrical trenching and cable infrastructure works
- Demonstrated experience managing multiple excavation crews and work fronts
- Strong understanding of excavation methodology, trench safety, underground services, backfilling and compaction
- Proven ability to manage production targets, construction programmes and site productivity
- Experience coordinating significant quantities of heavy plant and construction equipment
- Ability to read and interpret civil and electrical construction drawings and specifications
- Experience managing supervisors, operators, subcontractors and labour crews
- Strong planning, organisational and problem-solving skills
- Ability to identify risks, delays and construction constraints before they impact the programme
- Strong leadership and communication skills
- A practical, solutions-focused approach to construction
- High level of accountability and ownership of project outcomes
- Strong commitment to safety, quality and environmental compliance
- Relevant civil construction qualifications, supervisor training, plant experience and current construction industry licences and tickets will be highly regarded
What we offer
A key leadership role within a growing renewable energy construction business.
- Competitive salary and package based on experience
- Long-term opportunities within the solar and renewable energy sector
- Exposure to major utility-scale projects
- A senior, hands-on construction management position
- Responsibility for significant civil crews, plant and subcontractors
- Opportunity to take ownership of civil works from mobilisation through to completion
- Career progression as the business and project portfolio continues to grow
Apply now
Ready to join the NEXTGEN team?
If you are an experienced Civil Excavation Manager with a strong background in excavation, trenching and utility-scale solar or renewable energy construction, email your CV outlining your relevant civil, excavation, trenching and renewable energy project experience — or call Alex for a confidential discussion.