Construction Manager UK&I (Automated Systems Installation)

Vanderlande; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Cycle to work scheme

Pension with Aviva

YuLife wellbeing membership

Achievers recognition platform

Job summary

Vanderlande in the United Kingdom & Ireland seeks a seasoned Construction Manager to provide operational leadership for construction and installation activities across multiple airport projects. You will lead cross-functional teams, ensure readiness and safety, and drive on-time handover in live environments.

Reporting to the Senior Manager Installations, EU-LATAM, you will guide site managers, monitor performance, and ensure adherence to governance and quality standards across brownfield and

Qualifications

• Five+ years leading multiple construction or installation teams on large automation projects.
• Experience in baggage handling or airport automation environments.
• Strong understanding of project lifecycle from pre-construction through handover.
• Knowledge of Principal Contractor responsibilities and PSCS role.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and resolve delivery issues.

Responsibilities

• Lead site readiness reviews covering design maturity, permits, materials, logistics, labour, sequencing and approvals.
• Coordinate SIMOPS, airport access arrangements, possession windows and interfaces between contractors.
• Oversee site-based contract delivery and monitor contractor performance with corrective actions.
• Manage operational workforce deployment across projects per resource plans.
• Coordinate installation delivery including mobilisation, pre-commissioning, and handover with project teams.
• Chair weekly construction coordination meetings and escalate risks.

Skills

Leadership

multidisciplinary teams

Readiness planning

Stakeholder management

Safety compliance

Construction management

Problem solving

Education

Engineering degree

NVQ 6/7 in Construction Management

SMSTS certification

NEBOSH General Certificate

Tools

CSCS Black Manager card

Job description

The UK&I Construction Manager provides operational leadership for construction and installation activities across Vanderlande's UK & Ireland airport portfolio. The role oversees mechanical, electrical and automation-related installation activities across brownfield and greenfield projects, including live airport environments., We are looking for a construction leader experienced in automated systems installation, with the ability to influence, motivate and align multidisciplinary teams to achieve excellence. Through collaboration and shared ownership, the role drives safe, right-first-time delivery and readiness for commissioning and handover. Specialist automation engineering expertise is not required. Reporting directly to the Senior Manager Installations, EU-LATAM, with a dotted-line relationship to the UK & Ireland Installations Group Leader, the role strengthens construction capability, operational readiness and continuous improvement. It supports Vanderlande's fulfilment of Principal Contractor or equivalent local dutyholder responsibilities where the company is formally appointed.

Role Responsibilities

• Ensure Site Managers lead construction readiness reviews with the relevant project stakeholders, covering design maturity, permits, materials, logistics, labour, work sequencing and stakeholder approvals. Challenge readiness, support resolution of gaps and elevate unresolved risks before mobilisation and major construction activities
• Coordinate simultaneous operations (SIMOPS), airport access arrangements, possession windows and interfaces between contractors and project teams
• Oversee site-based contract delivery involving significant project risk and complex installed equipment; monitor contractor performance and drive corrective actions
• Manage operational workforce deployment and utilisation across projects in line with agreed resource plans
• Coordinate construction and installation delivery, including mobilisation and pre-commissioning, and support commissioning and handover with the relevant project teams
• Chair weekly construction coordination meetings, resolve operational issues and elevate risks requiring wider decisions
• Ensure consistent use of ProTrack, Velocity, Omnitracker and other approved execution tools; use reliable data to support monthly programme reviews, project boards and KPI reporting
• Maintain compliance with Vanderlande governance and the requirements of Heathrow and other airports within the portfolio
• Ensure Site Managers implement agreed installation quality requirements, including inspection and test plans, acceptance criteria and quality records, in coordination with Engineering and HSEQ
• Monitor installation quality, non-conformances, rework and defect closure across projects. Drive corrective actions and ensure required inspections and quality documentation are completed to support installation acceptance and handover, YuLife - Wellbeing membership with fast access to GP appointments, promotion of health and wellbeing along with daily quests to gain Yucoins that can be swapped for shopping vouchers

Benefits

• A challenging work environment with lots of opportunities of career progression.
• Cycle to work scheme
• Yellow Nest is a salary exchange scheme that reduces childcare costs for parents and employers
• Pension with Aviva
• Access to Achievers an award-winning recognition platform that inspires to recognise your coworkers Where points are awarded that can be exchanged for a range of goods and discounts.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least five years' experience leading multiple construction or installation teams on large, complex automation (MHS/BHS) projects, including brownfield & greenfield delivery
• Experience in baggage handling, airport automation, material handling, logistics or warehouse automation, parcel systems, industrial systems or a comparable technical environment
• A strong understanding of the project lifecycle from pre-construction through commissioning and handover, including readiness planning and operational interfaces
• Knowledge of applicable construction health and safety legislation and the responsibilities of Principal Contractors or equivalent local dutyholders, including the Project Supervisor Construction Stage (PSCS) role in the Republic of Ireland
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, manage stakeholders and resolve delivery issues across concurrent projects.
• Commercial and project management awareness, including labour performance, subcontractor delivery, change identification and recovery planning
• A relevant degree (Master/Bachelor) in engineering, Construction Design or Construction Management.
• NVQ Level 6/7 in Construction Management
• Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) certification.
• NEBOSH General Certificate or a comparable health and safety qualification.
• CSCS Black Manager card or an appropriate equivalent for the work location.
• A recognized project or construction management qualification, such as PMP, PMI-CP, CCM, PRINCE2.

Key Success Measures

• Safety Performance
• Principal Contractor Compliance
• Schedule Performance
• Installation Productivity