About the Business
Barclay Engineering is a well-established, family-owned engineering and fabrication company delivering complex projects across infrastructure, energy, and industrial sectors. The business is entering a critical growth phase and is strengthening its leadership structure to support disciplined, scalable delivery and long-term performance.
The Opportunity
We are seeking an experienced General Manager to lead overall business performance, governance, and strategic direction.
This role operates through the leadership team, with direct oversight of the Operations Manager and key functional leads. The General Manager is accountable for aligning operational performance with commercial outcomes, strengthening structure and accountability, and ensuring consistent, predictable delivery across the business.
Role Structure and Accountability
- Accountable for business performance, financial outcomes, and governance
- Leads through the leadership team; does not duplicate operational functions
- The Operations Manager retains responsibility for day-to-day delivery, workshop operations, and execution
- Clear delegation, approval, and escalation frameworks underpin decision-making and accountability
Key Responsibilities
- Provide leadership and direction across the business through the leadership team
- Drive financial performance including margin improvement, cost control, and budget accountability
- Establish and maintain governance, reporting, and decision-making frameworks
- Oversee project and operational performance at a strategic level, ensuring alignment with business objectives
- Set performance expectations and monitor productivity, utilisation, and delivery outcomes
- Strengthen risk management, quality assurance, and compliance systems
- Support contract performance, commercial strategy, and business growth
- Lead organisational capability, structure, and leadership development
- Maintain key client and stakeholder relationships
- Operational Discipline and Performance Focus
This role requires the establishment and reinforcement of a structured operating rhythm across the business, including:
- Clear planning and scheduling frameworks across workshop and project delivery
- Regular performance reviews aligned to financial, operational, and delivery outcomes
- Monitoring of productivity, labour utilisation, and delivery performance
- Continuous improvement initiatives targeting efficiency, workflow optimisation, and reduction of rework
- Reinforcing accountability, safety, and quality expectations across all levels of the organisation
What We’re Looking For
- Proven experience in a senior leadership role (General Manager / Operations Director level)
- Background in engineering, fabrication, construction, or similar project-based environments
- Strong commercial acumen with demonstrated P&L responsibility
- Experience leading complex delivery environments with multiple stakeholders
- Ability to implement structure, governance, and accountability frameworks
- Strong leadership capability with a focus on performance, culture, and outcomes
- Demonstrated success improving operational efficiency and business performance
- High-level stakeholder engagement across private and public sectors
Key Capabilities
- Business and operational leadership
- Financial management and commercial performance
- Governance, risk, and compliance
- Leadership development and organisational capability
- Strategic planning and performance improvement
What Success Looks Like
- Clear and respected leadership structure with defined accountability
- Improved financial performance and margin control
- Predictable, disciplined project and operational delivery
- Strong leadership team operating with clarity and ownership
- Reduced inefficiencies, rework, and delivery risk
- Consistent visibility of plan versus actual performance across the business
Remuneration
A competitive executive salary package will be offered, aligned with the experience, capability, and scope of the role. Performance-based incentives will be discussed with the successful candidate.
Why Join Barclay Engineering
- Direct engagement with ownership and executive leadership
- Opportunity to shape the structure and performance of the business
- Long-term leadership role within a growing organisation
- Diverse and technically complex project portfolio
Pay: $89,018.47 – $219,904.07 per year
Work Location: In person
