Senior Construction Manager

SSE plc; Peterhead; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Performance bonus

Benefits package

Job summary

SSE is seeking a Senior Construction Manager based near Peterhead to lead construction for a major high-voltage substation project. You will oversee GIS/GIB installation and commissioning, manage interfaces with civil, electrical and MEP works, and drive safety and delivery excellence across sites in Aberdeenshire.

You will coordinate with project managers and planners, ensure programmes and cost controls are aligned, and contribute to contractor management, risk mitigation and reporting to

Qualifications

• Experience delivering Principal Contractor led installation and commissioning of GIS/GIB equipment.
• Strong understanding of multi-disciplinary civil, structural, electrical and mechanical works.
• Commercial and contractual management with NEC3 or similar contracts.
• CDM and safety-focused with ability to lead safety forums.

Responsibilities

• Lead construction teams across assigned sites, including recruitment and resourcing of site managers and supervisors.
• Provide input to project planning and delivery, reviewing programmes and mitigating risks.
• Oversee installation, testing, commissioning and energisation activities with Principal contractor.
• Provide reporting and stakeholder leadership on programme, cost, and safety.

Skills

Leadership

Project planning

Contract management

Health & safety

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

HNC/HND in Construction or engineering

Tools

CSCS/EUSR

NEBOSH

IOSH

SMSTS

Job description

Base Location:For this role, we require successful applicants to be based on our Netherton Hub project near Peterhead. The role requires direct interface with site teams, and you will be expected to be predominantly on-site to provide the support and guidance as set out below.

Salary: £51,600 - £77,400 + car /car allowance + performance-related bonus + a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing and family.

Working Pattern: Permanent | Full Time | Onsite

The role

We have a fantastic opportunity for a Senior Construction Manager to support the construction function in delivering a programme of large capital projects across the Peterhead and Aberdeenshire area.

Reporting to a Lead Construction Manager, you’ll provide leadership and support to our construction teams, helping us consistently represent the business across our sites and ensuring activities are delivered safely, effectively and in line with contract requirements and SSEN Transmission policies and procedures.

You’ll also play an important role in the continued development of our construction site processes and procedures, working collaboratively with other Construction Managers to share best practice and support consistent standards across our projects.

You will

• Lead and support construction teams across your assigned sites, including supporting the recruitment, development and resourcing of Construction Site Managers, Supervisors and Trainee Site Construction Managers, while working with internal teams to ensure construction activities are effectively resourced and delivered.
• Provide construction input into project planning and delivery, ensuring activities are logically sequenced and aligned to key milestones. Review and constructively challenge contractor programmes, critical paths, progress and recovery plans, identifying emerging risks and appropriate mitigations.
• Manage the Principal Contractor driven installation and commissioning of complex GIS/GIB equipment for a major high-voltage substation project with complex interfaces between GIS installation and associated civil, structural, MEP, HVAC, protection, control & auxiliary systems.
• Drive installation readiness and interface resolution through oversight of Principal contractor covering specialist subcontractor/OEM activities, monitoring performance against programme, scope, safety and quality requirements through installation, testing, commissioning & energisation phases.
• Provide construction-led commercial and contractual input, working closely with Project Managers, Planners and Commercial Managers to assess contractor progress, variations, change, compensation events and cost exposure, while supporting NEC3 processes with accurate site-based evidence and recommendations.
• Provide clear reporting and stakeholder leadership, communicating programme, commercial and delivery risks to senior project stakeholders, managing external stakeholder engagement on construction matters and working with SHW colleagues to lead safety forums and champion a positive safety culture.

You have

• Demonstrable experience delivering the Principal Contractor led installation and commissioning of 132kV to 400kV substation equipment with direct experience of gas insulated switchgear (GIS) installation and commissioning. Strong understanding of equipment access, lifting arrangements, dimensional tolerances, cleanliness/environmental controls and building readiness.
• Experience coordinating GIS/GIB interfaces with super grid transformers, AIS, LV/MV systems, underground cables and overhead line connections. Strong understanding of managing multi-disciplinary civil, structural, electrical and mechanical works through construction, completion and handover.
• Proven experience managing contractors and complex construction programmes, including performance, productivity, quality and compliance, alongside critical path management, look-ahead planning, progress reporting, recovery planning and construction interfaces.
• Commercial and contractual management acumen, including variations, change control, compensation events, payment assessment and contractor claims, together with practical experience of NEC3 or similar major construction contracts and formal training in the Project Manager and/or Supervisor role.
• Strong knowledge of health, safety, environmental and quality requirements within a major UK construction environment, including an understanding of the Client role from a CDM and contractual perspective, and experience managing interfaces with testing, commissioning, energisation and operational teams.
• A minimum HNC/HND in Construction or an engineering-related discipline, alongside relevant site access and management qualifications such as CSCS/EUSR and NEBOSH, IOSH or SMSTS (5-day), or equivalent. A professional or construction management qualification such as MCIOB, CEng, PMP/APM or equivalent, or a willingness to work towards one, would be advantageous.

About SSE

SSE’s purpose is to be restless every day until we make electricity clean, affordable and available for all.

We do this by developing, building, operating and investing in electricity infrastructure and businesses needed in the energy transition. This includes electricity transmission and distribution networks, onshore and offshore wind farms, hydro-electric power and flexible thermal generation. We also provide products and services for businesses and other customers.

Our investment plan will see SSE invest £33bn in critical electricity infrastructure to 2030.

SSEN Transmission own and operate the electricity transmission network across the north of Scotland. We transport electricity from where it is generated to where it is needed, ensuring a safe and reliable electricity supply for the communities we serve. But that's not all we're upgrading the grid to deliver cleaner, homegrown power for the future and building the infrastructure needed for a cleaner electricity system to create secure power for generations to come.

Flexible benefits to fit your life

Enjoy discounts on private healthcare and gym memberships. Wellbeing benefits like a free online GP and 24/7 counselling service. Interest‑free loans on tech and transport season tickets, or a new bike with our Cycle to Work scheme. As well as generous family entitlements such as maternity and adoption pay, and paternity leave.

Work with an equal opportunity employer

SSE will make any reasonable adjustments you need to ensure that your application and experience with us is positive. Please contact Hannah on [e-mail] / 01738 341147 to discuss how we can support you.

We're dedicated to fostering an open and inclusive workplace where people from all backgrounds can thrive. We create equal opportunities for everyone to succeed and especially welcome applications from those who may not be well represented in our workforce or industry.