Head of Quality

VolkerWessels UK Ltd; Preston; On-site; GBP 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Birthday leave

Pension

Private medical care

Life Assurance

Cycle to Work

Training and development opportunities

Employee Assistance

Flexible working opportunities

Mental health support

24/7 Virtual GP

Job summary

VolkerStevin, part of VolkerWessels UK, is seeking a Head of Quality to lead governance and continual improvement across UK civil engineering projects. You will shape quality strategy, drive ISO compliance, and mentor multi-project teams, delivering operational excellence nationwide.

The role requires strategic leadership, cross-functional collaboration and travel to project sites; Chartered QC with ISO 9001 lead auditor status highly valued.

Qualifications

• Significant senior quality leadership experience in construction or civil engineering.
• Proven track record of driving compliance programs and continuous improvement.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication abilities across multiple levels.
• In-depth knowledge of Quality Management Systems and auditing practices.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement quality strategy across projects and frameworks.
• Lead governance, IMS development and continual improvement across the business.
• Oversee audits, certifications and actions from non-conformances.
• Foster and mentor high-performing quality teams across UK projects.

Skills

Chartered QC

Leadership skills

QMS auditing

Civil engineering

Education

ISO 9001 Lead Auditor certification

Job description

Part of the VolkerWessels UK Group, VolkerStevin is an industry-leading civil engineering business, providing complex and innovative engineering solutions across a wide range of sectors including maritime, flood risk management, defence, energy, water and regeneration. Collaborating with, and drawing on the specialist skills of the group's business units we deliver a truly integrated, multidisciplinary service.

Head of Quality

VolkerStevin | Multi-Framework Projects | National Coverage

Are you a strategic quality leader looking for an opportunity to influence some of the UK's most important infrastructure and civil engineering projects?

At VolkerStevin, we’re seeking an experienced Head of Quality to lead and drive our quality agenda across a diverse portfolio of projects and frameworks nationwide. This is a fantastic opportunity to shape business-wide standards, champion continuous improvement, and play a key role in delivering excellence across our operations.

As a national role, regular travel will be required to support projects, teams, and business units across the UK.

The Role

As Head of Quality, you will lead the governance, development and continual improvement of VolkerStevin's Quality Management Systems, ensuring consistency, compliance and best practice across all business streams. Working closely with senior leaders, project teams and Group functions, you will develop and implement quality strategies that drive operational excellence and business performance.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and deliver the business-wide quality strategy and annual improvement plans.
• Collaborate with operational and business leaders to drive continuous improvement.
• Support wider business improvement initiatives and organisational development.

Quality, Compliance & Assurance

• Lead and maintain the Integrated Management System (IMS) across the business.
• Ensure compliance with ISO standards, legislative requirements and certification obligations.
• Oversee internal and external audit programmes and support third-party audits.
• Monitor quality performance, audits, inspections and non-conformances, ensuring actions are effectively implemented.
• Review and enhance quality policies, procedures and standards in line with industry best practice.

Leadership & Resource Management

• Lead, manage and develop Quality teams across multiple projects and business streams.
• Ensure resources are effectively deployed and utilised across the business.
• Provide coaching, mentoring and support to promote professional development and high performance.

Performance & Communication

• Produce and present quality performance reports to senior leadership.
• Share lessons learned, best practice and quality improvement initiatives across the business.
• Develop quality communications, alerts and guidance materials.
• Represent VolkerStevin at Group level and within relevant industry forums and working groups.

About You

• Significant experience in a senior Quality leadership role within construction, civil engineering, infrastructure or a related sector.
• Strong knowledge of Quality Management Systems, ISO standards and auditing processes.
• Proven success in driving business-wide quality improvement and compliance programmes.
• Excellent leadership, stakeholder management and communication skills.
• The ability to influence at all levels and build strong relationships across complex organisations.
• A passion for continuous improvement, operational excellence and developing high-performing teams.

Why Join VolkerStevin?

• Lead quality across major infrastructure projects and nationally significant frameworks.
• Influence business performance at a strategic level.
• Join a collaborative and forward-thinking leadership team.
• Make a lasting impact on project delivery, business performance and quality culture.

About you

• Chartered Quality Professional
• Experience across a wide range of construction activities
• ISO 9001 lead auditor
• Knowledge of Safety, Quality and Environmental issues
• Experience in civil engineering

Why work with us?

VolkerStevin is under the umbrella of VolkerWessels UK which is a multidisciplinary contractor that delivers innovative engineering solutions across the civil engineering and construction sectors including rail, highways, airport, marine, energy, water, and environmental infrastructure.

By utilising the specialist skills of each business unit within VolkerWessels UK, VolkerStevin are able to ensure our staff provide unrivalled resources and expertise to our clients.

We offer competitive rewards and benefits, recognising the value we place on our employees.

We offer a range of benefits, including:

• Competitive salary
• Competitive annual leave and an additional day off on your birthday
• Option to buy additional annual leave
• Private medical care
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Shopping and restaurants vouchers, rewards, and discounts
• Training and development opportunities-comprehensive skills-based training
• Family friendly polices including enhanced maternity benefits
• Employee Assistance
• Flexible working opportunities programme
• Mental health, physical health, and financial support
• 24/7 Virtual GP service

Fairness, inclusion and respect

We believe in pushing boundaries in the pursuit of fairness, inclusion and respect. So, our teams can be comfortable that, whatever their background, VolkerWessels UK is a place where they can be themselves and thrive.

VolkerWessels UK is committed to maintaining healthy, safe and productive working conditions for its entire staff and therefore a drugs & alcohol screening is mandatory for all.