Head of Packages (MEP & AFO)

SCS JV; Acton; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

SCS Railways is seeking a senior leader to deliver the MEP and AFO packages within the HS2 London Tunnels JV. You will lead cross-functional teams, uphold safety and governance standards, and work closely with the Commercial Director to manage budgets and schedules.

You will maintain strong client relationships, drive continuous improvement, and champion innovation across the project. The role requires strategic influence, stakeholder engagement, and a proactive approach to complex delivery

Qualifications

• Proven track record in leading cross-functional teams on large projects.
• Knowledge of Health and Safety standards and best practice in complex delivery.
• Commercial acumen with experience in pre-construction, procurement and project execution.
• Ability to deliver within timeframes and aligned with project strategy and budget.
• Understanding impact of change and communicating it across teams and organization.
• Advocate for innovation and technology to drive continuous improvement and excellence.
• Ability to set expectations, measure performance and hold teams to account.

Responsibilities

• Accountability for delivery of MEP & AFO subcontract packages.
• Manage package delivery within target budget with Commercial Director.
• Review and improve business planning and forecasting.
• Engage with IPLT, client and industry relationships to enhance JV reputation.
• Promote governance and interaction with delivery units and support functions.
• Ensure robust change control procedures are followed to minimize impact.
• Maintain client relationships and address concerns with improvement plans.

Skills

Senior leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Commercial acumen

Change management

Risk management

Education

University degree

Chartered professional membership

Job description

Flexible working: We welcome you to ask about the flexibility you need. This might be part-time, remote working, or compressed hours for example. Anyone who applies for a role can ask about flexibility at interview. In return, we will explore what is possible for the role.

Role:

To lead all aspect of delivering the MEP and AFO packages within the shafts and headhouses delivery unit, in accordancewith SCS project’s procedures and best practice guidance. To underpin the successful delivery of the packages to the agreed targets and to work collaboratively with the wider programme to ensure the overall delivery of the programmes strategic objectives, such as time cost quality and client’s satisfaction. To maintain the SCS Project culture in all aspect of the delivery and be a role model for the team.

Creating a balance between leadership, operational expertise, strategic emphasis and senior level stakeholder engagement.

Role Responsibility

• Accountability for the delivery of all aspects of the MEP & AFO subcontract packages.
• Accountability for the SCS culture around business, health, safety and wellbeing.
• Manage the packages in line with the target budget in collaboration with the Commercial director.
• Reviewing and improving the business planning and forecasting within the area.
• Proactively manage IPLT, client and industry relationships to further develop and enhance the JV reputation within the industry.
• Actively promote and ensure good governance and interaction with the delivery units and the support functions.
• Ensure that robust procedures exist for management of packages during the development and implementation phases.
• Support the development and maintenance of effective client relationships, monitor client satisfaction levels and respond urgently to any client concerns and ensure improvement plans are developed, implemented and progress against plans is shared with clients.
• Manage and pro-actively engage in mitigating risks, support contractual performance and total project delivery, including anticipating problems and developing actions plans.
• Ensure that the packages fully complies with all statutory and regulatory provisions including HMRI, ORR and the CDM Regulations.
• Ensure project change control procedures are established and adhered to in a timely and effective manner to minimize impact on project delivery.
• Regularly review project forecast with the Commercial Director, ensuring any discrepancies are resolved.
• Approve the mobilization plan including supporting recruitment when necessary

The Ideal Candidate

Required qualifications:

• hold relevant university degree
• Chartered Member or Fellow of an appropriate professional institution or similar professional qualification

Experience and skills:

• Proven track record at a senior leadership level, of leading cross functional teams within large and complex project environments internally and externally
• Current knowledge of the applicable Health and Safety standards and the adoption of best practice in delivery of tunneling and associated works
• Demonstrable commercial acumen and a track record of pre-construction, project procurement and project execution
• Previous experience in delivering work within set timeframes and in accordance with a defined project strategy and allocated budget.
• Understanding of the impact of change and the mechanisms to record and communicate the impact of change within the team and the entire organization
• A proven advocate for innovation and technology driven by a desire to promote continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• An ability to define expectations, establish measurement of performance and hold individuals and teams to account for their outcomes and celebrate their achievements.
• Demonstrable ability to adapt to different cultures drawn from a diverse background with an inclusive and equitable approach to team selection and appointment.

Key Behaviors and attributes:

• Strategic Skills – Innovative Management / Strategic Agility
• Operating Skills – Priority Setting
• Energy & Drive – Drive for results / Perseverance
• Personal & Interpersonal Skills – Ethics and Values / Integrity and Trust / Motivating others

About the Company

The role will work on the HS2 project. HS2 is the UK’s new high speed rail network. It will be a catalyst for economic growth across Britain, freeing up space on the existing railways and connecting 8 out of the UK’s 10 biggest cities with fast, reliable and frequent high speed services

The Skanska | Costain | STRABAG (SCS JV) is delivering the HS2 London Tunnels Contract. Scope of works includes twin-bored tunnels (TBM), SCL tunnels, shaft sinking, bridge demolition and reconstruction, services diversions, earthworks and the construction of site compounds.

You’ll be a welcomed member of the wider team, with opportunities to take on additional responsibility, join one of our networks for women, military or LGBT+ staff, and participate in cultural and social events with the local community (e.g. as a STEM ambassador).

Your personal and professional development is important to us. We welcome a discussion about how we can support you with further study, or professional membership or attainment for example.

HS2 – working with Skanska, Costain and STRABAG, closely monitors job applications, to ensure an inclusive recruitment process. To ensure we are able to maintain this, and to recruit a diverse workforce, we require candidates to complete the diversity form as part of their application so we are able to monitor and improve our approach to diversity. Please note, all responses are anonymous and we will not share any of your data with other parties. All data will be held securely, (as stated within the Data Protection Act 1998) and will be reported to HS2.

It is an SCSJV requirement that all employees, Design House, and Supply Chains must implement and comply with the requirements of ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System, ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System with guidance for use”, OHSAS 18001:2017 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems and ISO/IEC 27001:2013 Information Security Management System, Policies, Plans, Procedures and Processes, and statutory requirements as they affect the Joint Venture ‘s operations and ensure that the requirements, as applicable within their discipline, are effectively implemented on the project. Develop a culture of safety on the project through the absolute commitment to the Zero Accidents target and ethos, and develops a wider awareness of quality, environmental issues and demonstrates commitment to achieve continual improvement and Zero tolerance.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

SCS Railways is a Disability Confident Leader. We want to encourage disabled people to apply for our roles and have an opportunity to display your skills, talent, and abilities. We will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for this position will be offered an interview.

Please see the disability confident commitments:

To be considered for an interview under this scheme you have:

• A physical or mental impairment, which has a substantial and long-term effect (over 12 months) adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities
• Demonstrated in your application and pre-interview stage that you meet the minimum job criteria and person specification for the role

Salary Competitive with excellent benefits package