Senior Construction Manager

RTS Infrastructure Services Limited; Leeds; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Arriva pension

Life Assurance

25 days annual leave

Employee Assistance Programme

Travel Pass

Eyecare vouchers

Wellbeing & development forum

Employee travel benefits

Job summary

RTS Infrastructure in Leeds seeks a Senior Construction Manager to lead the successful delivery of multiple rail infrastructure and depot projects from inception to completion.

Reporting to the Senior Project Manager, you will ensure safety, timeliness and budget adherence while guiding project teams and maintaining key client relationships across the UK rail sector.

Qualifications

• HNC, HND, NVQ Level 5 or equivalent qualification in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Building Services Engineering or related discipline.
• Significant experience in a senior construction management role within rail, infrastructure, depot or major construction environments.
• Proven experience managing multiple construction projects simultaneously.
• Strong understanding of railway depot environments, construction methodologies and project delivery processes.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary project teams, subcontractors and supply chain partners.
• Strong knowledge of CDM Regulations and construction health and safety management.
• SMSTS qualification.
• CSCS Black Card (Manager level) or equivalent.
• Full UK Driving Licence.
• Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Commercial awareness with experience managing project budgets and performance.
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach with a commitment to continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead the successful delivery of multiple rail infrastructure, depot and construction projects from inception through to completion.
• Ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget and in accordance with contractual and operational requirements.
• Provide strategic leadership across project planning, programming, resource allocation and delivery activities.
• Review and challenge project plans, methodologies and delivery programmes to identify and mitigate risks.
• Provide technical guidance and support to project teams throughout the project lifecycle.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, principal contractors, designers, suppliers and other stakeholders.
• Act as the senior operational point of contact throughout project delivery.
• Support business development activities, tenders, bid submissions and client engagement.
• Lead and develop Construction Managers, Site Managers, Supervisors and wider project delivery teams.
• Oversee workforce planning, resource utilisation and competency management across multiple projects.
• Monitor contractor and supply chain performance, ensuring delivery and compliance expectations are achieved.
• Champion a positive health, safety, quality and environmental culture across all projects.
• Ensure compliance with CDM Regulations and Principal Contractor responsibilities where applicable.
• Review and approve Construction Phase Plans, Work Package Plans, permits, risk assessments and Safe Systems of Work.
• Lead investigations into significant incidents, quality issues and project delays.
• Maintain accountability for project budgets, forecasts, costs and profitability.
• Work closely with commercial teams to maximise project value and manage change effectively.
• Produce project and portfolio performance reports for senior stakeholders.
• Oversee commissioning, handover and project close-out activities to ensure successful project completion.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder mgmt

CDM Regulations

SMSTS

CSCS Black Card

Driving Licence

Rail Depot Expertise

Project Delivery

Education

HNC/HND/NVQ5

Degree in Construction

Chartered status (CIOB/ICE/APM)

Job description

Senior Construction Manager

Location: Holbeck Depot, Leeds

Hours: 40 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Help Shape the Future of Rail Infrastructure

RTS Infrastructure is a trusted provider of rail infrastructure, construction and depot services across the UK. Based in Leeds, we work with major rail industry clients, delivering projects that keep the UK's rail network moving. Following our acquisition by Arriva Group, we're entering an exciting new chapter of growth, investment and opportunity as part of one of Europe's leading passenger transport organisations.

We're looking for an experienced Senior Construction Manager to join our growing team in Leeds. This is an exciting opportunity to lead the successful delivery of multiple complex rail infrastructure and depot projects, providing strategic oversight from project inception through to completion.

Reporting to the Senior Project Manager, you'll be responsible for ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget and to the highest quality standards, while maintaining compliance with industry regulations, contractual requirements and company procedures.

Why Join RTS Infrastructure?

As part of Arriva Group, you'll be joining a business with ambitious growth plans in the UK rail sector. Our recent acquisition strengthens our position within rail infrastructure, broadens our service offering and creates exciting opportunities for our people and our customers.

This is a fantastic opportunity to influence major project delivery, lead high-performing teams and play a key role in the future growth of RTS Infrastructure.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead the successful delivery of multiple rail infrastructure, depot and construction projects from inception through to completion.
• Ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget and in accordance with contractual and operational requirements.
• Provide strategic leadership across project planning, programming, resource allocation and delivery activities.
• Review and challenge project plans, methodologies and delivery programmes to identify and mitigate risks.
• Provide technical guidance and support to project teams throughout the project lifecycle.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, principal contractors, designers, suppliers and other stakeholders.
• Act as the senior operational point of contact throughout project delivery.
• Support business development activities, tenders, bid submissions and client engagement.
• Lead and develop Construction Managers, Site Managers, Supervisors and wider project delivery teams.
• Oversee workforce planning, resource utilisation and competency management across multiple projects.
• Monitor contractor and supply chain performance, ensuring delivery and compliance expectations are achieved.
• Champion a positive health, safety, quality and environmental culture across all projects.
• Ensure compliance with CDM Regulations and Principal Contractor responsibilities where applicable.
• Review and approve Construction Phase Plans, Work Package Plans, permits, risk assessments and Safe Systems of Work.
• Lead investigations into significant incidents, quality issues and project delays.
• Maintain accountability for project budgets, forecasts, costs and profitability.
• Work closely with commercial teams to maximise project value and manage change effectively.
• Produce project and portfolio performance reports for senior stakeholders.
• Oversee commissioning, handover and project close-out activities to ensure successful project completion.

What We're Looking For

• HNC, HND, NVQ Level 5 or equivalent qualification in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Building Services Engineering or a related discipline.
• Significant experience in a senior construction management role within rail, infrastructure, depot or major construction environments.
• Proven experience managing multiple construction projects simultaneously.
• Strong understanding of railway depot environments, construction methodologies and project delivery processes.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary project teams, subcontractors and supply chain partners.
• Strong knowledge of CDM Regulations and construction health and safety management.
• SMSTS qualification.
• CSCS Black Card (Manager level) or equivalent.
• Full UK Driving Licence.
• Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to develop high-performing teams and drive delivery excellence.
• Commercial awareness with experience managing project budgets and performance.
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach with a commitment to continuous improvement.

Desirable

• Degree qualification in Construction Management, Engineering, Project Management or a related discipline.
• Chartered status or working towards a relevant professional membership (CIOB, ICE, IET or APM).
• NEBOSH Construction Certificate or equivalent.
• Temporary Works Coordinator qualification.
• PTS certification.

Benefits

• Membership of the Arriva Workplace Pension Scheme (3% employer contribution and 5% employee contribution)
• Life Assurance plus access to one of the UK's largest networks of medical professionals
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with opportunities to purchase additional holiday
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Access to discounts and cashback through The Village, our online reward gateway
• Eyecare vouchers
• Opportunity to join our Employee Experience Forum, helping shape wellbeing, career development and community initiatives
• Arriva UK Trains Travel Pass

Ready to Make an Impact?

If you're an experienced construction leader with a passion for delivering complex rail infrastructure projects safely and successfully, we'd love to hear from you.

Join RTS Infrastructure and play a key role in delivering the next generation of rail infrastructure projects across the UK.