Civil Engineering jobs in London

The successful candidate will spend most of their time visiting live projects, inspecting workmanship, monitoring programme and cost performance, resolving delivery issues and ensuring that appropriate standards are maintained.

The Construction Operations Manager will oversee projects from pre-construction and mobilisation through construction, completion, handover and the defects period. They will provide leadership and accountability across the operational team while working closely with commercial, design, procurement and administrative colleagues.

Quality control will be a central part of the role. The successful candidate will establish clear standards, undertake formal site inspections, identify non-compliant work, ensure corrective action is completed and promote a right-first-time culture across all projects.

The role requires someone who is equally comfortable reviewing a construction programme, walking a site with subcontractors, challenging poor workmanship, resolving design issues, supporting site teams and communicating with clients and senior management.

Purpose of the Role

The Construction Operations Manager will:

Ensure projects are delivered safely, professionally and in accordance with contractual requirements.

Maintain control of programme, cost, quality, resources and client expectations.

Provide visible leadership and practical support to Project Managers and Site Managers.

Establish consistent operational and quality standards across all projects.

Identify and manage delivery risks before they affect programme, cost or client satisfaction.

Reduce delay, waste, rework, poor coordination and uncontrolled change.

Ensure projects are properly completed, documented and handed over.

Improve operational performance through structured reporting and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities1. Portfolio and Operational Management

· Take operational responsibility for a portfolio of projects valued between £300,000 and £3 million.

· Oversee multiple live sites at different stages of design, mobilisation, construction, completion and defects.

· Maintain regular contact with each project and ensure sufficient site presence to understand actual progress, risks and resource requirements.

· Ensure each project has an appropriate delivery strategy, management structure, programme, reporting process and escalation route.

· Monitor programme, procurement, labour, subcontractor performance, health and safety, quality, commercial risk and client issues.

· Chair or attend mobilisation meetings, operational reviews, progress meetings, recovery meetings and completion reviews.

· Ensure actions are recorded, allocated and completed.

· Provide senior management with accurate reporting on project performance, risks, forecast completion and required interventions.

· Ensure project teams consistently use agreed systems, templates, checklists and reporting procedures.

· Escalate significant safety, quality, commercial, contractual or reputational risks promptly.

2. Site Leadership

· Spend approximately 70%–80% of working time on live construction sites.

· Undertake planned and unannounced visits to verify progress, safety, quality, logistics and management standards.

· Provide visible leadership to Project Managers, Site Managers, supervisors, operatives and subcontractors.

· Review site access, welfare, security, deliveries, storage, housekeeping, temporary protection and waste management.

· Confirm that site teams have current drawings, specifications, schedules and approvals.

· Identify issues preventing progress and coordinate the people required to resolve them.

· Support teams with sequencing, logistics, resource, technical and subcontractor challenges.

· Intervene where projects are falling behind, workmanship is deteriorating or management is ineffective.

· Establish and monitor recovery plans where required.

· Ensure site teams maintain professional standards when dealing with clients, neighbours, consultants, building managers and occupants.

· Ensure disruption, noise, dust, access restrictions and temporary services are properly planned and communicated.

3. Pre-Construction and Mobilisation

· Participate in operational reviews before projects are contracted or mobilised.

· Review scope, drawings, surveys, specifications, programme assumptions, logistics and key delivery risks.

· Challenge unrealistic programmes, incomplete information and unclear responsibilities.

· Assist in developing construction programmes, procurement schedules, information-release schedules, logistics plans and resource plans.

· Ensure responsibilities are clearly allocated between the Project Manager, Site Manager, Quantity Surveyor, designers and subcontractors.

· Identify long-lead items, specialist packages, statutory approvals, client selections and design decisions.

· Confirm suitable site-management resources are allocated before commencement.

· Ensure pre-start meetings are held with critical subcontractors and suppliers.

· Review site setup, welfare, hoarding, access, security, protection and emergency arrangements.

· Confirm that project teams understand the scope, exclusions, programme, quality standards and communication protocols.

4. Programme and Progress Management

· Ensure every project has a realistic and appropriately detailed construction programme.

· Review programmes before commencement and regularly throughout delivery.

· Confirm that programmes include design information, procurement, client decisions, inspections, testing, commissioning and statutory approvals.

· Monitor actual progress against planned progress using reliable site evidence.

· Challenge inaccurate or overly optimistic reporting.

· Ensure short-term look-ahead programmes are prepared and actively used.

· Identify critical activities and ensure management focus is directed appropriately.

· Assess the impact of design delays, client changes, labour shortages, procurement issues and unforeseen conditions.

· Require practical recovery plans where projects fall behind.

· Coordinate with commercial colleagues regarding delays, extensions of time, acceleration and subcontractor liabilities.

· Ensure accurate records are retained to support contractual entitlements and defend claims.

· Monitor forecast completion, practical completion, occupation, commissioning and handover dates.

5. Quality Assurance and Quality Control

· Lead the development and maintenance of quality standards across all projects.

· Promote a right-first-time culture and ensure quality is planned into the works.

· Implement project quality plans, inspection checklists, benchmarks and sign-off procedures.

· Ensure quality requirements are communicated to employees, subcontractors and suppliers before work begins.

· Review drawings, specifications, manufacturers’ instructions, samples and planning conditions.

· Ensure sample panels, benchmark areas and first-off installations are approved where appropriate.

· Carry out structured quality inspections at agreed project stages.

· Inspect concealed work before it is closed up.

· Inspect workmanship, materials, dimensions, tolerances, finishes and interfaces.

· Pay particular attention to waterproofing, roofing, drainage, structural alterations, fire stopping, acoustic construction, mechanical and electrical interfaces, joinery, tiling, flooring and final finishes.

· Confirm that specified and approved materials are being used.

· Prevent unauthorised product substitutions.

· Raise quality observations and non-conformance reports where required.

· Allocate corrective actions and verify completion.

· Track recurring defects and identify root causes.

· Stop work where continuing would conceal or worsen a defect.

· Maintain photographic and written inspection records.

· Monitor subcontractor quality performance.

· Ensure completed work is adequately protected.

· Conduct internal pre-completion inspections before client or consultant inspections.

· Ensure snagging is managed progressively and projects are genuinely ready before handover.

· Lead post-project quality reviews and communicate lessons learned.

6. Health, Safety and Environmental Management

· Promote a visible and practical health and safety culture.

· Ensure activities are planned and managed in accordance with the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 and other applicable legislation.

· Ensure the business fulfils its responsibilities when acting as contractor or principal contractor.

· Verify that each project has an appropriate Construction Phase Plan.

· Ensure suitable arrangements are in place for inductions, competence checks, briefings, toolbox talks and supervision.

· Review and challenge risk assessments and method statements.

· Confirm that RAMS are specific to the site, activity and actual conditions.

· Monitor high-risk activities including work at height, lifting operations, demolition, structural alterations, excavations, temporary works, electrical works, hot works, asbestos and occupational health risks.

· Ensure permits, inspections and authorisations are used where required.

· Monitor welfare, access, housekeeping, emergency arrangements, first aid and fire precautions.

· Ensure incidents, near misses and unsafe conditions are reported and investigated.

· Verify that corrective actions are completed.

· Stop work immediately where there is a serious or uncontrolled risk.

· Work with external health and safety advisers, consultants and statutory bodies.

· Ensure appropriate controls are maintained for waste, noise, dust, vibration, pollution and considerate working.

7. Commercial and Financial Performance

· Work closely with the commercial team to align operational and financial decisions.

· Understand the contract value, budget, allowances, preliminaries, margin and key commercial risks for each project.

· Monitor operational performance against budget and forecast.

· Identify issues likely to increase cost, cause delay or reduce margin.

· Ensure variations, instructions, scope changes and additional works are recorded promptly.

· Prevent unauthorised work from proceeding without appropriate approval, except where immediate action is required for safety or protection.

· Support the preparation of variation quotations, claims and extension-of-time submissions.

· Monitor labour, plant, waste, temporary works, rework, protection and preliminaries.

· Review subcontractor progress before payment recommendations.

· Challenge unsupported applications or requests for payment for defective work.

· Contribute to cost-to-complete reviews and forecasting.

· Ensure records are maintained to support valuations, variations, claims and contra-charges.

· Identify the commercial impact of defects and subcontractor underperformance.

· Support final account close-out by resolving operational issues and outstanding records.

Subject to company approval limits, the Construction Operations Manager will be authorised to:

· Direct operational activities across live projects.

· Require project recovery and corrective-action plans.

· Stop unsafe or seriously defective work.

· Reject work that does not meet approved standards.

· Require additional or replacement subcontractor resources.

· Recommend the removal of consistently underperforming subcontractors.

· Reallocate operational personnel between projects.

· Approve minor operational expenditure within agreed limits.

· Recommend recruitment, training and performance actions.

· Escalate commercial, contractual or client commitments requiring director approval.

The role holder must not agree significant expenditure, contractual settlements, programme acceleration, client concessions or changes in company liability outside delegated authority.

Key Performance Indicators

Performance will be assessed against:

Safety

· Incident and near-miss performance.

· Completion of inspections and corrective actions.

· Compliance with site safety procedures and project plans.

· Quality and timeliness of investigations.

Programme

· Achievement of contractual and internal milestones.

· Accuracy of forecast completion dates.

· Timeliness and effectiveness of recovery plans.

· Control of long-lead procurement and design information.

Quality

· Number and severity of non-conformances.

· Rework and defect costs.

· Quality inspection completion.

· Snagging levels at practical completion.

· Post-handover defects and resolution times.

Commercial Performance

· Project margin against budget and forecast.

· Accuracy of cost-to-complete forecasts.

· Control of labour, preliminaries, waste and rework.

· Timely identification and recovery of variations.

· Final account close-out performance.

Client and Team Performance

· Client satisfaction and complaint resolution.

· Repeat business and referrals.

· Staff retention and development.

· Project reporting compliance.

· Subcontractor performance.

· Implementation of lessons learned.

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate is likely to be an experienced Construction Operations Manager, Contracts Manager, Senior Project Manager or Senior Site Manager ready to take wider responsibility for multiple projects.

They must have a strong practical understanding of construction delivery and be willing to spend significant time on live sites. This is not a predominantly office-based or reporting-only role.

The successful candidate will be calm under pressure, decisive, organised and able to distinguish between issues that can be resolved by the project team and those requiring immediate senior intervention.

They will combine high standards with commercial pragmatism and be capable of challenging poor performance while maintaining professional relationships.

Essential Experience

· Significant experience in construction management, project management, contracts management or operational leadership.

· A strong record of delivering residential and/or commercial projects.

· Experience of refurbishment, fit-out, structural alterations, complex finishes or occupied buildings.

· Experience managing projects within or comparable to the £300,000–£3 million range.

· Experience overseeing multiple live projects.

· Strong site-management experience from mobilisation through handover.

· Responsibility for programme, quality, safety, subcontractors and client relationships.

· Experience managing Project Managers, Site Managers, supervisors or subcontractor teams.

· Experience identifying, recording and correcting defective work.

· Experience reviewing programmes and short-term look-ahead plans.

· Experience managing subcontractor underperformance and recovery actions.

· Experience working with Quantity Surveyors and commercial teams.

· Experience of handover, certification and defects management.

· Experience working within UK construction legislation and industry practice.

Essential Knowledge and Skills

· Strong knowledge of construction methods, sequencing and site logistics.

· Good understanding of residential and commercial refurbishment and fit-out.

· Strong knowledge of quality assurance and quality-control principles.

· Good working knowledge of CDM 2015 and principal-contractor responsibilities.

· Good understanding of UK health and safety legislation.

· Working knowledge of Building Regulations and Building Control.

· Understanding of construction contracts, instructions, variations, delay and record keeping.

· Understanding of subcontract procurement and supply-chain management.

· Ability to read architectural, structural and building-services information.

· Understanding of testing, commissioning, certification and handover.

· Strong commercial awareness.

· Strong leadership, organisation and decision-making skills.

· Excellent attention to detail.

· Ability to identify poor workmanship and define corrective action.

· Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities.

· Strong written and verbal communication.

· Ability to challenge constructively and hold people accountable.

· Strong problem-solving and root-cause-analysis skills.

· Comfortable working within a growing business and improving systems.

· Strong computer literacy and experience using project-management and reporting software.

Qualifications and Certifications

Candidates should ideally hold several of the following:

· Degree, HNC, HND, NVQ Level 6 or equivalent qualification in Construction Management, Building, Civil Engineering or a related subject.

· Chartered or incorporated membership of CIOB, RICS, ICE or another relevant professional body.

· SMSTS.

· CSCS management-level card.

· First Aid at Work.

· Temporary Works Coordinator or Supervisor training.

· Relevant fire safety, asbestos awareness and construction training.

· Full UK driving licence.

Equivalent practical experience will be considered where the candidate can demonstrate a strong and sustained record of successful construction delivery.

Desirable Experience

· High-end residential refurbishment.

· Commercial office, retail, hospitality, healthcare or education fit-out.

· Projects completed within occupied or operational buildings.

· Listed buildings or conservation projects.

· Design-and-build contracts.

· Experience within a principal-contractor organisation.

· Development of operational systems for a growing contractor.

· Digital site-reporting or quality-management systems.

· ISO 9001-aligned quality systems.

· Fire-stopping management and evidence records.

· Mechanical and electrical coordination.

· Multi-project management across London or surrounding regions.

Site and Travel Requirements

This is a predominantly site-based position. The role holder should expect to:

· Spend approximately 70%–80% of working time on project sites.

· Travel regularly between live and prospective projects.

· Attend the office for management meetings, planning and reporting.

· Attend client, consultant and subcontractor meetings.

· Adjust working hours when required to support critical works, shutdowns, handovers or urgent project issues.

A full UK driving licence is required. A company vehicle, vehicle allowance or equivalent travel arrangement should form part of the overall package.

Working Relationships

The Construction Operations Manager will work closely with:

· Managing Director and Construction Director.

· Commercial Manager and Quantity Surveyors.

· Project Managers and Site Managers.

· Health and safety advisers.

· Designers and consultants.

· Procurement and administrative teams.

· Clients and client representatives.

· Contract administrators.

· Subcontractors and suppliers.

· Building Control and other statutory authorities.

Pay: £55,000.00-£80,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person