Programme Construction Lead

AWE plc; Reading; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction firm in Berkshire is seeking a Programme Construction Lead to oversee strategic leadership and management of engineering services in a complex infrastructure project. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in construction contracting, strong leadership skills, and a relevant engineering degree. This role offers a market-leading salary and a 9-day working fortnight, among other benefits.

Benefits

9-day working fortnight

Market leading contributory pension scheme

Opportunities for Professional Career Development

Employee Assistance Programme

Life Assurance

Discounts on everyday spending

Special Leave Policy

Qualifications

• Previously worked in a strategic construction leadership role.
• Strong experience in NEC and ECI contracts.
• Excellent understanding of safety legislation within engineering.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and management of engineering services.
• Act as a focal point for construction advice and expertise.
• Governance to meet Nuclear Licence Conditions and quality standards.

Skills

Strategic construction leadership

Commercial construction contracting

Excellent communication skills

Construction project delivery strategy

Construction safety legislation

Conflict resolution

Design for Manufacture and Assembly technologies

Intelligent Customer capacity

Education

Degree in engineering or construction management

SMSTS or NEBOSH Construction accreditation

Industry recognised safety scheme card

Chartered status of a professional body

Job description

Programme Construction Lead

Job Reference: 2386958980-2

Date Posted: 3 October 2025

Recruiter: AWE PLC

Location: Berkshire

Salary: £75,000 to £90,000

Sector: Construction

Job Type: Permanent

Job Description

The Future Materials Campus, or FMC, is at heart an infrastructure project, building seven state-of-the-art facilities to enable the nuclear security technologies and science for generations to come. The FMC is a massive undertaking - essentially, we are building the same amount of infrastructure delivered by Crossrail on a space the size of the 2012 Olympic Park. While it is challenging, it also offers amazing opportunities to develop skills, create jobs and innovate in design, construction, and science.

AWE is currently recruiting for a Programme Construction Lead to be responsible for providing strategic leadership and management of professional engineering services, in support of the CASD Programme and the company's strategic goals. You will be a focal point and signpost for construction advice, information and expertise about policy, best practice, knowledge and relevant standards. Provide due governance and management to meet relevant Nuclear Licence Conditions, safety codes and quality standards.

The ideal candidate will have the following:

• Previously worked in a strategic construction leadership role with responsibility for the development of team members, meeting project targets and objectives and delivering exceptional health and safety standards.
• Strong commercial experience of construction contracting, particularly NEC and experience in ECI contracts. Strong experience in construction quality protocols, systems and methodologies including construction logistics.
• Articulate technical complexities and have excellent communication skills, giving clear, professional interaction with stakeholders at all levels.
• Able to chair technical and general meetings and direct work to meet the strategic programme demands.
• Aligns and influences construction project delivery strategy, with broader business objectives and long-term goals.
• Has working experience in delivering construction management capability across a manufacturing and/or research environment.
• An excellent understanding and ability to apply applicable legislation and standards relevant to safety within engineering (e.g. HSAWA, CDM etc).
• Experience of leading multi-discipline groups, resolving conflicts, driving performance and fostering collaboration.
• Good awareness of construction supply chain methodologies including modern Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA) technologies.
• Excellent working knowledge of working in an Intelligent Customer (IC) capacity.
• Knowledge of construction system from design through to commissioning.
• Degree in an engineering, construction management discipline or a suitable equivalent.
• Hold a Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS), or National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) Construction accreditation, or a suitable equivalent.
• Hold an appropriate industry recognised safety scheme card, (i.e.: a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) Manager's card, Client Contractor National Safety Group (CCNSG) Safety Passport card or a suitable equivalent.
• Be professionally registered at a Fellow or Chartered status level of a suitably relevant recognised professional body.

Benefits:

• 9-day working fortnight - meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.
• Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).
• Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
• Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).
• Discounts - access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.
• Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.