Head of Programme Construction

Barhale; Peterborough; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading civil engineering firm in Peterborough is seeking a Head of Programme Construction to oversee regional delivery and maintain oversight on a major investment program. This role emphasizes strategic leadership, stakeholder engagement, and innovation to enhance performance and safety in complex multi-disciplinary projects. Ideal candidates will have significant experience in the construction industry, strong commercial acumen, and a proven ability to lead diverse teams effectively. Offering a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Company Pension

Life Assurance

Private Medical

25 days of annual leave

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Significant experience delivering complex, multi-disciplinary construction programmes.
• Strong technical knowledge of CDM, Health & Safety, and environmental standards.
• Proven ability to lead large teams and drive high performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead regional construction delivery through a team of Heads of Construction.
• Provide governance and consistency across all construction programmes.
• Maintain strong cost control, forecasting, and commercial governance.

Skills

Leadership

Commercial awareness

Stakeholder influence

Innovation

Education

Degree-level qualification in construction

Job description

About Barhale

Who are Barhale?

Barhale is a business founded on family values, having been established by our Chairman, Dennis Curran, in 1980. We are one of the largest privately owned civil engineering and infrastructure specialists in the UK, with over 40 years of experience in providing design, civil engineering and maintenance services working across multiple sectors, including:

• Water
• Transport
• Built environment
• Energy

We operate as a tier one partner for blue chip, regulated and private clients, working as part of large frameworks, joint ventures and alliances, as well as on individual standalone projects, developing long-term relationships based on delivering to the Barhale values which have been integral to our business since their inception in 1985.

Our direct delivery model is at the core of everything we do, as we believe that people are our greatest asset. Therefore, we robustly source, train and retain all our own frontline delivery teams as well as management and support services. We employ over 1,200 employees nationwide.

We possess a range of specialist skills to support our civil engineering and infrastructure activities, including:

• Tunnelling
• MEICA
• Temporary and permanent design
• Steel-fabrication
• Signs (design and fabrication)
• Health & safety equipment and products, including PPE

Company Website:

https://www.barhale.co.uk/

Company Showcase Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFqsoclCUZA

Why join Barhale?

• As Gold Investors in People, we are committed to a high standard of people practices, creating an inclusive environment and ensuring cultural alignment to business strategy, ethos and philosophies.
• Job security, long-term secured work through various frameworks and large infrastructure schemes
• A broad range of civil engineering, mechanical and electrical schemes across some of the UK’s largest infrastructure projects and clients
• Strong career progression as demonstrated by our track record in promoting from within, as we believe this is a key driver of our success

Head of Programme Construction

The Role

Here within the @one Alliance, we are a totally collaborative organisation made up of our eight partner companies (Anglian Water, Balfour Beatty, Barhale, Binnies, MMB, MWH Treatment, Skanska and SWECO) and our extended supply chain, delivering over half of Anglian Water’s capital investment programme.

Now working in our most exciting and challenging Asset Management Period yet known as AMP 8, this will see us deliver a programme of work larger than we’ve ever delivered before. We are driving change, empowering us to set global benchmarks and build a better environment, with the opportunity to offer enhanced growth and development to our workforce. We’re looking to build on our existing teams with an environment for career progression.

We are now seeking an exceptional Head of Programme Construction to help lead this mission.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Lead regional construction delivery through a team of Heads of Construction.
• Maintain oversight of end-to-end construction performance across a major investment programme.
• Champion a positive, open, and inclusive culture where safety and continuous improvement thrive.

Programme Delivery

• Provide governance and consistency across all construction programmes.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, to budget and to exceptional quality standards.
• Represent construction at senior Alliance forums and influence key delivery decisions.
• Monitor and manage supplier and subcontractor performance.

Commercial & Contractual Excellence

• Maintain strong cost control, forecasting and commercial governance.
• Support supplier selection, contract management and value-driven negotiations.
• Ensure all contractual and compliance obligations are met.

Stakeholder Leadership

• Build strong relationships across Anglian Water, Alliance partners and key external stakeholders.
• Support resource planning and capability development across all construction functions.

Innovation & Sustainability

• Drive improvements in productivity, waste reduction and embodied carbon.
• Lead constructability reviews and fit-for-assembly processes to enhance safety and buildability.
• Embed digital and innovative approaches into project delivery.

Safety First – Every Day

• Lead compliance with CDM, HSWA and all relevant SHEQ standards.
• Promote a zero-accident ethos and ensure consistent safety performance across all sites.

Essential:

• Degree-level qualification in a construction-related discipline
• Significant experience delivering complex, multi-disciplinary construction programmes (ideally in water/wastewater or major infrastructure)
• Strong technical knowledge of CDM, Health & Safety and environmental standards
• Proven ability to lead large teams and drive high performance
• Excellent commercial awareness and programme management capability
• Outstanding communication and stakeholder influence
• A mindset focused on innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement

Caring and investing in you

Our values have been embedded at Barhale for over 40 years, and they are our guiding principles regarding how we care and invest in people. Our values are our commitment to being a people-centric company.

As a Gold Investors in People company and a Sunday Times 100 Best Company to Work For, we are committed to investing in people. We are passionate about creating a working environment where people are supported throughout their careers, where people can enjoy security and be part of a company that cares about them.

From the moment you join us, your well-being and career aspirations will be supported by.

• Competitive salary
• Company Pension
• Life Assurance
• Private Medical
• 25 days of annual leave in addition to 8 public bank holidays and loyalty days
• 8 hours volunteering
• Employee Assistance Programme to support your mental, physiological and financial wellbeing
• Flexible benefits via salary sacrifice
• Company car/green car scheme/car allowance/Van (dependent on position)
• Leadership & management training and coaching
• Regular line management engagement and appraisal to support your career progression
• Development supported by internal and externally delivered training
• Continuous service awards

Would you like to know more?

Please contact our Recruitment team via [e-mail]