General Manager – Projects, Operations & Growth

Grand Ridge Arenas & Excavations

Grand Ridge Arenas & Excavations is seeking an experienced, commercially minded General Manager to help lead the next stage of our growth.

This is not a desk-based management position. We are looking for a practical, hands-on leader with experience in civil construction, earthworks, equestrian construction or a similar industry. You will be equally comfortable preparing tenders, managing projects, developing current business and operating machinery on site when required.

Working closely with the Director, you will lead a small, capable team and oversee projects from the initial enquiry and estimating stage through to successful delivery. There is genuine opportunity to grow the team and help shape the future direction of the business as our project pipeline and service offering expand.

About the role

This is a diverse senior position combining operational leadership, project management, tendering and business development.

You will take responsibility for the day-to-day coordination of the business, ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently, profitably and to the high standard our clients expect.

A key part of the role will be identifying new markets, tender opportunities and sustainable avenues for business growth. You will also remain actively involved in project delivery and be willing to assist the team and operate machinery on site when needed.

Key responsibilities

- Lead, support and develop a small operational team
- Plan daily workloads and coordinate employees, subcontractors, suppliers and equipment
- Oversee projects from initial enquiry, site inspection and estimating through to completion
- Identify, prepare and submit tenders and commercial proposals




- Prepare project estimates, quotations, budgets and work programs
- Identify new clients, markets, partnerships and growth opportunities
- Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, contractors and industry partners
- Manage project timelines, resources, costs and profitability
- Monitor the project pipeline and assist with forward planning
- Recruit and grow the team in line with the company’s workload and expansion
- Develop and improve operational systems, processes and reporting
- Help create a practical, accountable and positive workplace culture
- Ensure safety, quality and compliance requirements are maintained across all sites
- Operate excavators, dozers, skid steers or other machinery and assist on site when required
- Work closely with the Director on the overall performance, strategy and growth of the business

About you You will be an experienced leader who understands the realities of running projects in a hands-on construction environment. You will have strong commercial awareness, practical machinery experience and the ability to move confidently between the office, client meetings and active project sites.

Ideally, you will have:

- Experience in civil construction, earthworks, equestrian construction, drainage, landscaping or a closely related industry
- Demonstrated experience in tendering, estimating and project management




- Experience leading and coordinating a small operational team
- Strong commercial judgment and the ability to identify profitable growth opportunities
- Practical experience operating excavators, dozers, skid steers or similar machinery
- The ability to read plans, assess sites and understand project requirements
- Strong organisational, scheduling and problem-solving skills
- Excellent communication and client-management skills
- A proactive attitude and willingness to remain hands-on
- A strong understanding of workplace health and safety requirements
- Relevant machinery tickets and a current driver’s license
- The ability to take ownership, make decisions and follow projects through to completion

Experience within the equestrian industry would be highly regarded but is not essential. More important is a strong understanding of earthworks or civil construction, combined with the commercial and leadership capability to help grow a specialist business. What we offer

- A senior and influential role within a specialist, growing business
- Genuine scope to grow the existing team and help shape the company’s future
- A varied position combining management, commercial development and hands-on project delivery
- Autonomy and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact
- Competitive remuneration negotiated according to experience

Apply If you are a practical and commercially minded leader who enjoys building teams, winning work and delivering high-quality projects, we would like to hear from you.

Please submit your résumé and a brief cover letter outlining your relevant industry, tendering, project-management and machinery experience.

📌 General Manager – Projects, Operations & Growth (Melbourne)
🏢 Grand Ridge Arenas and Excavations
📍 Melbourne