Construction Manager

Watkin Jones PLC; St Helens; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work-life balance

Wellbeing programme

Life insurance

Pension & discounts

Job summary

Watkin Jones Group is seeking an experienced Construction Manager to lead the homes division, ensuring HS&E, quality and programme performance. You’ll collaborate with Project Managers, estimators, planners and QS to drive progress, governance and cost control.

You will oversee monitoring, reporting and the construction phase programme, manage key meetings, and champion effective internal communication across divisions to deliver major residential schemes on time and within budget.

Qualifications

• Level 5 qualification in a related field or substantial experience.
• Strong project controls experience in a complex operational environment.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Proficient with project control tools and MS Office.
• Knowledge of earned value management and risk analysis.

Responsibilities

• Oversee project monitoring and reporting for the homes division.
• Lead project controls across a multi-million scheme and support schedule integration.
• Collaborate with estimators, planners and quantity surveyors to manage costs.
• Provide updates to Construction Directors on scope, costs and forecast.
• Drive governance and ensure delivery within programme timescales.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Project controls

Communication

Risk analysis

Team coordination

Education

Level 5 qualification in related field

Tools

Adobe Acrobat

VFP

Fieldview

Asta/PowerProject

Microsoft Office

Job description

We are looking for an experienced Construction Manager to take overall responsibility of our homes division, ensuring excellence in HS&E, quality assurance, programme performance and cost control. You will work closely with Project Managers and our technical, commercial teams to drive progress, maintain strong governance, and ensure delivery in line with programme timescales and senior management expectations.

About the role:

In this role, you will oversee project monitoring and reporting, providing Construction Directors with clear updates on scope, progress, costs, risk, and forecast completion. You will lead project control activities across a multi‑million‑pound scheme, attending key meetings across Divestment, Pre‑Construction and Construction, and supporting the integration of schedules, reporting processes and best‑practice project controls. You will manage construction costs through close collaboration with estimators, planners and quantity surveyors, while producing and maintaining the Construction Phase programme, incorporating inputs from multiple contractors.

About you:

The ideal candidate will hold a Level 5 qualification in a related field or bring substantial experience from a comparable role. You will have strong technical capability, including confident use of management software such as Adobe Acrobat, VFP, Fieldview, Asta/Power Project and Microsoft Office. You must be able to lead project controls within a complex operational environment, applying core project management principles, including earned value management, project planning, risk analysis and configuration management, to drive high-quality outcomes. Excellent stakeholder management and relationship‑building skills are essential, along with the ability to influence and advocate for the importance of clear and effective internal communication.

Why Choose Watkin Jones Group?

Watkin Jones Group is the UK’s leading developer, builder, and manager of residential-for-rent homes, with a rich history dating back to 1791. With 54,000+ homes developed and in-build across over 254 schemes, we have a proven track record of success. Our operating arm, Fresh, manages over 18,500 units across 58 schemes, representing approximately £1.7bn of assets under management.

Joining us means becoming part of a company that’s not only deeply rooted in history but also firmly focused on the future. We’re committed to creating high-quality rental homes, fostering vibrant communities, and driving sustainable development.

At Watkin Jones, we believe in investing in our people. Here’s what we can offer you:

• Work-Life Balance:25 days of annual leave (increasing with tenure), hybrid working arrangements, and discounted gym memberships.
• Wellbeing:Access to‘Your Wellbeing’ programme & OpenUp – a confidential wellbeing platform.
• Rewards:Health cash plan, life insurance, and more.
• Benefits:Exclusive shopping discounts, and a contributory pension scheme.

This is an opportunity to take on a high-impact role within a forward-thinking company. In return, we offer a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and the chance to work on major projects that shape the built environment.

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