Head of Quality & Assurance

VolkerWessels UK Ltd.; Doncaster; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Pension

Life Assurance

Private Healthcare

Cycle to Work

Vouchers, rewards and discounts

Training and development opportunities

Family-friendly policies

Employee Assistance programme

Birthday day off

Job summary

VolkerRail is seeking an experienced Head of Quality and Assurance to lead the development and delivery of the quality strategy, ensuring governance and alignment with ISO standards across the business. You will work with operational leaders, customers and regulators to drive Right First Time performance and continuous improvement.

You will own the Integrated Management System (IMS), oversee internal and external audits, and lead the Quality team to deliver robust compliance, assurance and

Qualifications

• Experience leading quality management in a regulated environment.
• Proven ability to implement and maintain integrated management systems.
• Experience applying ISO 9001 in complex projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of the quality strategy across the business.
• Champion the Right First Time programme and drive improvements in quality and safety.
• Own and continuously improve the Integrated Management System (IMS) including ISO standards.
• Lead internal and external audit programmes and communicate findings.
• Provide expert quality leadership to customers, regulators and partners.
• Drive quality awareness and engagement at all levels through coaching.
• Monitor legislation and industry requirements to maintain compliance.
• Lead the Quality team and support tender submissions with specialist expertise.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Analytical capability

Change management

Education

Level 5 Diploma in Quality Management or equivalent

Lead Auditor qualification

Membership of the Institute of Quality Assurance

Tools

ISO 9001 experience

Job description

Field 1

VolkerRail is a leading multidisciplinary railway infrastructure contractor on heavy and light rail networks.

Our ability to continually deliver projects, from smaller contracts through to our involvement in nationally significant major schemes, has helped our clients bring communities together and provide better services for passengers.

VolkerRail comprises two businesses: Major Projects, which is expert in collaborative working and leads on large, multidisciplinary joint venture and alliance projects; and Specialist Businesses, made up of expert divisions in signalling, track, power, electrification and piling, with an in-house plant division and bespoke design teams. These work independently, as subcontractors to the rail sector, or collectively as a Tier One contractor for larger frameworks.

We are currently seeking an experienced individual to join as our Head of Quality and Assurance within our HSEQS team based out of our Doncaster Head Office.

Field2

As our Head of Quality & Assurance, you will lead the development and delivery of VolkerRail's quality strategy, ensuring robust governance, compliance and assurance frameworks are embedded across the business. Driving a culture of continuous improvement and Right First Time performance, you will work with operational leaders, customers and stakeholders to enhance quality standards, strengthen our Integrated Management System and support the safe, efficient and successful delivery of our projects.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead the development and delivery of VolkerRail's quality strategy, driving a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence across the business.
• Champion the company's Right First Time programme, delivering measurable improvements in quality, safety and business performance.
• Own and continuously improve the Integrated Management System (IMS), ensuring compliance with ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 standards and supporting key business certifications and licences.
• Lead internal and external audit programmes, overseeing assurance activities and ensuring findings, opportunities for improvement and best practices are effectively managed and communicated.
• Provide expert quality leadership across the organisation, acting as the principal point of contact for customers, stakeholders, regulatory bodies and industry partners.
• Drive quality awareness and engagement at all levels through coaching, guidance and the promotion of best practice.
• Monitor changes in legislation, standards and industry requirements, ensuring the business remains compliant and informed.
• Lead and develop the Quality team, building capability and ensuring the successful delivery of quality objectives throughout the business.
• Support tender submissions, supplier assurance activities and strategic business initiatives by providing specialist quality expertise

About you

You will be an experienced quality professional with a proven track record of leading quality management and assurance activities within a complex, regulated environment. Experience within the rail, infrastructure or construction sectors would be highly advantageous.

You will possess strong leadership skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels and drive positive change across a large organisation. A collaborative approach, commercial awareness and a passion for continuous improvement are essential.

Essential Requirements

• Level 5 Diploma in Quality Management or equivalent.
• Lead Auditor qualification.
• Membership of the Institute of Quality Assurance (or equivalent professional body).
• Extensive experience in a senior quality management role.
• Experience implementing and managing Integrated Management Systems, including ISO 9001.
• Proven people management and leadership experience.
• Strong audit, compliance and assurance expertise.
• Full UK driving licence.

You’ll Also Bring

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• The ability to drive cultural change and embed quality-focused behaviours.
• Experience working with regulatory bodies, certification organisations and external auditors.
• A proactive and solutions-focused approach with a commitment to delivering continual improvement.

Why work for us?

VolkerRail 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, VolkerRail is 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
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Family level Private Healthcare
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Shopping and restaurants vouchers, rewards, and discounts

• Training and development opportunities, including comprehensive skills-based training
• Family-friendly policies, including enhanced maternity benefits
• Employee Assistance programme

Mental health, physical health, and financial support

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.

If you need support with your application, please contact us at [e-mail]

Additional information

Note for Recruitment Agencies:

Our preference is to hire directly, and we will reach out to our Preferred Supplier List (PSL) agencies if this particular role qualifies for release.

We kindly request that you refrain from sending speculative CVs. In the event of speculative CV submissions, no fees will be applicable, and we kindly ask that all enquiries be directed to [e-mail]

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