Construction Manager

Dorset Council UK; Sturminster Newton; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Dorset seeks a Works Area Manager to oversee highway projects, ensuring safety, budget compliance, and team leadership. Candidates should have extensive construction experience, strong team management skills, and knowledge of CDM regulations. This role offers the opportunity to significantly contribute to community development across beautiful Dorset.

Benefits

Council vehicle for travel

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge in construction or civil engineering.
• Confidence in managing teams and developing people.
• Strong understanding of CDM regulations.
• Ability to deliver work programmes on time and budget.
• Good ICT skills for monitoring and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Manage the construction phase of highway projects.
• Oversee budgets, resources, and quality.
• Ensure all works meet health and safety standards.
• Conduct regular site visits and audits.
• Act as a Premises Responsible Person when needed.

Skills

Construction or civil engineering experience

Team management

Understanding of CDM regulations

Work programme delivery

ICT skills

Assertiveness and diplomacy

Education

NVQ Level 6 diploma (or equivalent)

Tools

Asset systems like Confirm

Job description

We’re looking for a Works Area Manager to join our Highways Construction Delivery Team at Dorset Council. You’ll lead a team of operatives and subcontractors to deliver our Capital and Revenue Maintenance Programmes, along with a range of construction projects, ensuring everything runs safely, efficiently and to budget. The role is based across Dorset and comes with a council vehicle for travel.

What You’ll Be Doing

You’ll manage the construction phase of highway projects, oversee budgets, resources and quality, and make sure all works meet health and safety and environmental standards. From regular site visits and audits to winter maintenance and emergency call-outs, your work will be key to keeping Dorset’s roads safe and well maintained. You’ll also act as a ‘Premises Responsible Person’ for an operational depot when needed.

About You

We’re looking for someone who can bring:

• extensive knowledge and experience of construction or civil engineering, with proven success in project delivery
• confidence managing teams and developing people to reach their full potential
• a strong understanding of CDM regulations and the role of Principal Contractor
• skill in devising and delivering work programmes on time and to budget
• experience working to deadlines and targets in a busy environment
• good ICT skills and the ability to use digital systems for monitoring and reporting
• a balance of assertiveness and diplomacy, with a self-motivated approach and ability to motivate othersa full driving licence and a valid CSCS card
  
  

It would also be an advantage if you have experience with asset systems like Confirm, hold a Lantra 12D M7 or CSCS Managers Card, an NVQ Level 6 diploma (or equivalent), or membership of a professional body such as ICE, IHE or CIHT.

You’ll also get the chance to work across beautiful Dorset, managing projects that make a real difference to our communities. If you’re ready to take on this key role in shaping the future of our highways, we’d love to hear from you.