Chief Engineer/Construction Manager

Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd; St Albans; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction firm is seeking a Chief Engineer/Construction Manager to oversee multi-million pound healthcare projects. You will provide technical leadership, ensuring safety and compliance with regulations throughout the construction process. Strong leadership, communication, and risk management skills are essential. The ideal candidate will have experience with NEC4 contracts and deliver results within time and budget constraints. This position offers an opportunity to contribute to significant construction projects that define future heritage.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in multi-million pound healthcare construction projects.
• Strong leadership and mentoring of teams.
• Collaborative approach with communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee construction engineering processes and ensure compliance.
• Provide leadership and embed a safety-first culture.
• Monitor project programme and manage risks.

Skills

Leadership and people-management

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Health and safety advocacy

Risk analysis and mitigation

Education

SMSTS qualification

Valid CSCS Card

Tools

NEC4 contracts knowledge

Job description

Reporting to the Senior Project Manager, the Chief Engineer/Construction Manager will provide strong technical and leadership direction to deliver the project safely, efficiently, and to the highest standards of quality and performance. You will lead teams of engineers, site management, and subcontractors, ensuring that engineering, design coordination, and construction activities are fully aligned with programme, budget, and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the full construction engineering process, ensuring all engineering designs, methodologies, and procedures comply with statutory regulations, technical specifications, and industry standards.
• Provide visible leadership across site operations, embedding a safety first culture and ensuring health, safety, and wellbeing are the highest priority at all times.
• Monitor and manage the project programme, identifying risks and opportunities across design, procurement, and construction activities, and implementing mitigation measures where required.
• Ensure the project is delivered within agreed time and budget constraints, supporting cost control and value management initiatives.
• Identify, manage, and mitigate technical and construction risks, maintaining the integrity and performance of the project.
• Lead and coordinate engineering teams, works staff, and subcontractors, providing mentoring and technical guidance as required.
• Maintain strong and proactive relationships with the client and stakeholder teams, acting as a key technical interface.
• Maintain accurate and auditable records of engineering decisions, approvals, and technical changes.
• Set and manage short and long term project objectives, ensuring alignment with overall project goals.

Qualifications

• Contribute to and review internal and external project reports, providing clear and accurate updates on progress, risks, and opportunities.

  Proven experience delivering multi-million pound healthcare construction projects, ideally within live clinical environments.

• Strong leadership and people‑management skills, with the ability to manage, coordinate, and mentor engineering and construction teams.
• Collaborative approach with excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A strong advocate for health, safety, and wellbeing, ensuring safe working practices are embedded across all project activities.
• Detailed working knowledge of NEC4 contracts, including procurement and contract administration.
• Demonstrable ability to identify, analyse, and mitigate project risks, while also identifying opportunities for improvement and value.
• Experience preparing and contributing to project reports for internal management and external stakeholders.
• SMSTS qualification.
• Valid CSCS Card.

Since 1869 we've worked on building and civil engineering projects that have set the standard for others to follow – right up to present‑day examples like the Eden Project, Olympic Stadium and award‑winning new Bloomberg building.

As we celebrate our 155th anniversary, we're looking forward with excitement to the projects and opportunities ahead. Our family‑owned business is where you can achieve more from your career by proudly building Britain's future heritage with us. Sir Robert McAlpine is focused on being a truly inclusive employer; even if you don't meet every single requirement, we'd still love to hear from you, especially if you're part of a group that is under‑represented in construction. Our goal is for Sir Robert McAlpine to proportionally represent the diversity of the working population in society. As a family‑run business with strong family values, our aim is to ensure that Sir Robert McAlpine is a supportive, empowering and inclusive environment for every member of our team.