Group General Manager
Role Overview
Position Title: Group General Manager (GM)
Reporting To: Directors and Board
Location: Rosedale, Auckland (with travel to North America as required)
Direct Reports: Group Sales Manager, National Sales Strategy & Business Development Manager, Financial Controller, Global Operations Manager, Group Marketing Manager, Design Engineering Manager, Inc Managers, Canada Area Sales Manager
Employment Type: Full-Time
Purpose of the Role
The Group General Manager is responsible for the overall operational management, strategy execution, culture, systems and growth of the Group of companies. This role requires a visionary leader with a proven track record in scaling businesses, particularly in the civil engineering, technology and stormwater sectors. The GM works closely with the executive team to drive global expansion, enhance operational efficiency, and cultivate a high-performance culture.
Key Responsibilities
The GM is required to perform the following key responsibilities across these Key Result Areas:
Key Result Area
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Culture
- Develop and maintain a strong succession plan, identifying and mentoring future leaders
- Foster a culture of recognition by celebrating team and individual achievements regularly
- Maintain and develop a strong organisational culture, values and reputation across all markets and with all staff, customers, suppliers, partners and regulatory/official bodies
- Report to shareholders and principals on organisational plans and performance
- Collaborate with the Technical Director to identify and embed innovative technologies that enhance product and service delivery
- Champion a culture of innovation across the business, ensuring technology remains central to operational and strategic decision-making
- Model the company’s core values in all relationships internally and externally
- Create, foster and influence a positive high-performance team and working environment
- Set clear performance expectations and provide regular, constructive feedback through formal reviews and informal coaching
- Identify training needs and support professional development plans to build internal capability
- Monitor team productivity and morale, addressing performance or engagement issues promptly and supportively
- Drive continuous process improvement using lean methodologies, aiming for incremental gains in efficiency
- Ensure technology systems are current, integrated across departments, and effectively support streamlined operations
- Promote transparent communication across all levels of the business, including regular updates and structured feedback loops
- Support leaders to confidently engage in courageous conversations, creating a constructive and open workplace culture
- Lead market research efforts in California and Ontario to understand regional needs, regulatory environments, and opportunities
- Build and maintain strong relationships with local distributors, tailoring strategies by region
- Focus on specialised areas where the business can offer unique value, avoiding overextension
- Refine and customise sales strategies to address the needs of different stakeholders (owners, regulators, consultants, contractors)
- Promote a consultative sales approach, positioning the team as problem-solvers and trusted advisors
- Support competitive and equitable remuneration strategies
- Prioritise R&D investment to support innovation and maintain industry leadership
- Champion technology adoption across the team, with a focus on digital fluency in leadership and sales
- Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending workshops, reviewing professional publications, and establishing personal networks
- Plan North America trips strategically to maximise impact — focus on key meetings and events that drive business growth
- Effectively manage remote staff, maintaining regular communication, accountability, and alignment with business goals
- Invest time with key managers and in core markets to build relationships, understand local challenges, and support execution on the ground
Any other duties as required by management from time to time, as deemed necessary to contribute to the company’s vision of becoming a world leader for stormwater management solutions.
Key Skills & Attributes
Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field; MBA or equivalent advanced degree preferred
- Experience: Minimum of 10 years of senior leadership experience in the civil engineering, stormwater or building industry, with a focus on scaling businesses and managing global operations
- Strong strategic planning and execution capabilities
- Excellent financial acumen and experience with P&L management
- Proven ability to lead and inspire diverse teams
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to navigate complex regulatory environments in multiple countries
- Key stakeholder management
- Distributor management
Visionary
Sees the big picture and aligns day-to-day decisions with the long-term strategic direction of the business
Collaborative
Builds trusted relationships across all levels; encourages open dialogue and values diverse perspectives
Innovative
Brings curiosity and creativity to problem-solving; actively looks for ways to enhance services, systems, and performance
Resilient
Maintains composure and optimism during pressure, change, or setbacks; leads with steadiness and clarity
Commercially Savvy
Understands market dynamics, financial drivers, and what creates value for clients and the business
Adaptable
Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, evolving environment; open to change and willing to pivot when needed
People-Centred
Values people as the core of business success; leads with empathy, fairness, and accountability
