_{24th April, 2025}

Lynx Recruitment are partnered with a civil contractor, with offices based around the upper North Island.
We are seeking a Commercial Manager / Financial Partner to join in Auckland.
 
This role will involve autonomy in decision making, room to bring your ideas to the table, and develop and implement systems or strategies that aid the business in success.
 
We are looking for a candidate who can:

Bridge the numbers. Lead the people. Elevate the business.
 
What does this role involve?
 
It’s about owning the commercial engine of a company that’s building the future of New Zealand’s infrastructure — one project at a time.
We’re searching for a sharp, grounded, and future-focused Commercial & Financial Partner to join a well-established, growing civil contractor specialising in horizontal infrastructure — roads, drainage, earthworks, and complex high-volume projects.
This isn’t a back-office finance gig. It’s a hands-on, high-trust, business-critical leadership role.
 
The Role:

•  1200+ active projects, from $1k to $6M — high-volume, high-variety
• Full commercial accountability from project-level to board-level
• Work directly with the MD, complement the CFO, and shape strategy
• Deliver true financial partnership — not just oversight
• Be at the centre of margin control, cashflow performance, commercial governance, and forecasting accuracy
• Drive WIP analysis, budget vs actual review, and variance commentary with board-quality clarity
• Create robust forecasting models, real-time dashboards, and scalable reporting systems
• Influence tender reviews, contractual risk profiles, and procurement strategy

What you’ll be doing:

• Build and interpret project financial data: costs to complete, margins, KPIs, forecasts
• Lead monthly WIP reporting, accruals, margin analysis, and shareholder-ready insights
• Oversee budget planning, annual/half-yearly financials, and capital expenditure governance
• Create and present KPI performance packs, including project ROI, cost-to-complete, and earned value metrics
• Develop a clear structure around cashflow tracking, working capital management, and debtor risk
• Manage cost controls and profitability improvements across teams and regions
• Provide financial leadership in contract negotiation, claims management, and variation tracking
• Drive improvements in ERP data usage, reporting accuracy, and financial compliance

Ideal Experience:

• Have 10+ years in construction or civil, with 2+ years in a Commercial or Financial Manager role
• Are a financial leader who thinks commercially — not just a spreadsheet wrangler
• Are comfortable in the detail — journals, balance sheets, reconciliations, and audit prep
• Have deep experience with NZ3910, progress claims, and contract risk
• Have worked across high-volume project environments, and know what drives profitability
• Can turn financial complexity into clear, persuasive communication for all levels — PMs to Board
• Want to build and lead systems, people, and commercial thinking that elevates a whole business
• Understand the power of forecasting, cost tracking, and performance metrics to drive decisions

�� What you’ll get:

• A high-impact leadership role where you’ll shape commercial direction, not just monitor it
• Full visibility and direct access to the MD, Board, and frontline teams
• The chance to build out reporting frameworks, margin improvement models, and procurement analysis tools
• A high-trust environment where clarity and accountability are the culture
• The ability to train and grow your own team as you refine the commercial engine
• A role that brings meaning, influence, and long-term career growth — no ceiling here

For more information, and a highly confidential chat - email mark@lynx.co.nz

Open to candidates from any location in New Zealand, or Australia
Full working rights in NZ required for the role

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