Section Manager

Wates Group; Wigan; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits package

Career progression opportunities

Social value/community impact

Job summary

Wates Smartspace is recruiting a Section Manager for a landmark prison expansion project at HMP Hindley, Wigan. You will join the site leadership team to deliver safe, high-quality works, coordinate subcontractors and manage daily site operations to maintain momentum.

You will report to the Site Manager and drive performance, risk management and stakeholder engagement across a complex, public-sector environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in a Section Manager, Senior Engineer or Site Management role within the construction industry.
• Strong understanding of construction processes, health and safety legislation, and quality control.
• Proven ability to lead teams and coordinate multiple work activities simultaneously.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• SMSTS, CSCS and First Aid qualifications desirable.
• Experience delivering complex, secure, infrastructure or public sector projects would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise subcontractors and site teams.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety and environmental standards.
• Monitor progress against programme and drive performance on site.
• Coordinate labour, plant and materials to support efficient delivery.
• Maintain quality standards and ensure works are completed right first time.
• Support planning, logistics and sequencing activities.
• Build strong working relationships with client representatives and stakeholders.
• Identify and manage risks and opportunities within your work area.

Skills

Section Manager experience

Leadership

Health & Safety

Stakeholder management

Communication

Tools

CSCS

Job description

Section Manager

HMP Hindley, Wigan

Build a legacy. Lead with purpose.

At Wates, we're delivering one of the UK's most significant prison expansion programmes at HMP Hindley, creating modern facilities that will have a lasting impact on rehabilitation and the wider community. We're looking for an experienced Section Manager to join our site leadership team and help drive safe, high-quality delivery on this complex and rewarding project. The project is referenced internally as a live vacancy location at HMP Hindley.

The Role

Reporting to the Site Manager, you'll take ownership of a section of works, ensuring activities are delivered safely, on programme, within budget, and to the highest quality standards. You'll coordinate subcontractors, manage daily site operations, and work closely with the wider project team to maintain momentum across this high‑profile scheme.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise subcontractors and site teams.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety and environmental standards.
• Monitor progress against programme and drive performance on site.
• Coordinate labour, plant and materials to support efficient delivery.
• Maintain quality standards and ensure works are completed right first time.
• Support planning, logistics and sequencing activities.
• Build strong working relationships with client representatives and stakeholders.
• Identify and manage risks and opportunities within your work area.

What We're Looking For

• Experience in a Section Manager, Senior Engineer or Site Management role within the construction industry.
• Strong understanding of construction processes, health and safety legislation, and quality control.
• Proven ability to lead teams and coordinate multiple work activities simultaneously.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• SMSTS, CSCS and First Aid qualifications desirable.
• Experience delivering complex, secure, infrastructure or public sector projects would be advantageous.

Why Join Wates?

• Be part of a landmark, long‑term project with a strong pipeline of future opportunities.
• Work with a collaborative and supportive project team.
• Access excellent development and career progression opportunities.
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Join a business committed to creating lasting social value in the communities where we work.

If you're ready to take the next step in your construction career and help deliver a project that makes a real difference, we'd love to hear from you.