John Holland is searching for a new major projects boss as well as a new chief executive as it struggles with cost blowouts on the third stage of the Gold Coast’s light rail line and technical difficulties on the Melbourne Metro Tunnel.

The construction group, which has been owned by the China Communications Construction Company since 2015 and was formerly part of Leighton Holdings, is expected to restructure following the departure of CEO Joe Barr, who stepped down after eight years.