Head of Construction

MAG (Airports Group); Greater London; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A major UK airport operator is seeking a Head of Construction to oversee the Stansted Airport Transformation capital development programme. This role involves managing construction activities, ensuring compliance with regulations, and guiding projects through their lifecycle. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience in construction management, with strong leadership and communication skills. Responsibilities include balancing technical and commercial considerations, overseeing safety and quality during construction activities, and liaising with various stakeholders.

Benefits

Bonus scheme

Company pension scheme

Car allowance

Private medical scheme

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of proven expertise in construction management.
• Significant experience in delivering complex projects in regulated environments.
• Background in Building, Fit Out, MEP, and Specialist Systems.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the construction activities on site ensuring quality and safety.
• Guide projects through design stages and manage milestones.
• Advise on health and safety hazard documentation.

Skills

Construction management

Project lifecycle management

Effective communication

Leadership skills

Planning and organisational skills

Problem solving

Tools

MS Word

Excel

PowerPoint

SharePoint

Project management systems

Job description

Why MAG?

Every year, London Stansted Airport connects over 28 million passengers with more than 190 destinations across the globe. Part of the largest UK owned airport operator group, MAG, London Stansted Airport supports over 11,600 jobs onsite and generates around £7.75bn each year for the region. Sustainability is one of our core values, and it shapes everything we do. We're committed to protecting the environment and supporting our local communities. Our programmes include airport and airline decarbonisation, comprehensive education, skills and employment support and community engagement initiatives including volunteering opportunities. At MAG, we recognise creating a first class journey for our customers starts by creating a first class career journey for our colleagues and we are committed to building inclusive environments in which our people can thrive.

Benefits include

• Bonus scheme
• Company pension scheme
• Car allowance
• Private medical scheme
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays

The role

This role supports the Stansted Airport Transformation capital development programme critical to the airport's long term growth, safety, and resilience ensuring valuable infrastructure and assets are completed on time, to budget, and in full compliance with regulations. As Head of Construction, you'll be involved across the entire project lifecycle, from the earliest concept and business case through to delivery and handover. Working in close partnership with Project Managers, you will guide projects through the RIBA design stages, lead technical reviews, manage key milestones, and integrate stakeholder input. You'll balance technical and commercial considerations to deliver projects of the highest standard, ensuring safety, quality, and compliance remain at the forefront.

The programme spans a wide range of technical and functional areas, including utilities infrastructure (HV/LV Electrical, Water, Gas, Aviation Fuel, Drainage, and IT), baggage handling systems, airfield ground lighting, and fire and life safety systems.

You’ll oversee safe and high quality construction activities on site, offering guidance on design decisions, contractor selection, testing and asset handover, while ensuring all work is delivered to programme and without disruption to daily airport operations. You'll also play a key role in reviewing pre construction information, advising Project Managers on health and safety hazard documentation and maintaining effective communication between airport teams. Additionally, you will support project managers in developing scope documents and work packages, ensuring all requirements are clearly defined and achievable.

What will make you successful in the role?

You'll bring significant experience in delivering complex projects within operational, regulated environments, with at least 10 years' proven expertise in construction management across areas such as Building, Fit Out, MEP, and Specialist Systems. Your background will include leading the construction, testing, commissioning, and handover of major infrastructure projects, with a track record of excellence from concept development through to implementation and final delivery.

You’re an effective communicator, confident in working with a wide range of stakeholders, professionals, and contractors. With strong leadership skills, you'll know how to motivate and guide teams to deliver at the highest standard.

Your planning and organisational abilities ensure projects are tracked against schedule, budget, and quality requirements, while your resilience and problem solving skills enable you to navigate challenges and make sound decisions under pressure.

Attention to detail is second nature, whether conducting inspections, managing contracts, or ensuring compliance with health and safety legislation and building regulations. You combine technical knowledge with strong numerical and IT skills, and you're comfortable using project management systems and software, including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint, to manage and communicate information effectively.

Equal Opportunities & Reasonable Adjustments

At MAG we believe in the importance of diversity & inclusion for all. We are committed to creating a workforce that is reflective of our society. As such we welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

We're also committed to well being with a focus on mental health and supporting colleagues from underrepresented groups through our Colleague Resource Groups.

As a Disability Confident employer we are committed to creating an environment where candidates and employees can perform at their optimum. Please let us know if we can provide you with any reasonable adjustments to aid your application or interview process.

Our Colleague Resource Groups include

• Women's Network
• Embrace – Race & Ethnicity Group
• Fly With Pride (LGBTQIA+)
• Mental Health
• Parent & Carers
• Disabilities including neurodiversity

You can contact the team by emailing