Senior Site Manager

CSC Recruitment Ltd; Canterbury; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

CSC Recruitment Ltd is recruiting a Senior Site Manager for a circa £16m education project in Canterbury, Kent. You will lead site operations, coordinating direct labour and subcontractors to keep works progressing safely and on programme.

Ideal candidates have significant Tier 1 experience on education schemes (£10m–£20m), a construction-based qualification (HNC/degree), and CIOB chartership or active pursuit.

Qualifications

• Significant site management experience with a Tier 1 main contractor.
• Experience delivering education/DfE or healthcare schemes (£10m–£20m).
• Minimum HNC qualification in construction; a degree is preferable.
• CIOB chartered status, or actively working towards chartership.
• Valid CSCS card and First Aid certification.
• Based locally in Kent with ability to travel within and outside the county.
• Strong leadership, organisational and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage site operations, ensuring delivery against the programme and budget.
• Coordinate direct labour, trades and subcontractors, maintaining clear priorities.
• Plan works around the operational school, maintaining safe access and communication.
• Maintain high standards of health and safety, environmental management and site welfare.
• Review drawings and construction information; resolve delivery issues with the project team.
• Monitor progress and subcontractor performance; take corrective action as needed.
• Maintain communication with client, school representatives and project team.
• Support inspections, handover and close-out actions; develop site team members.

Skills

Site management

Education sector delivery

Programme & budgeting

Health & safety leadership

Team leadership

Communication

Education

HNC in construction

Degree preferred

CIOB chartered status or working towards

Job description

Senior Site Manager - Education - Canterbury, Kent

We are recruiting an experienced Senior Site Manager on behalf of a leading Tier 1 main contractor for a circa £16m school project in Canterbury.

Delivered for the Department for Education under a national framework, the scheme combines new-build and refurbishment works within a live school environment. Construction is scheduled to start in January 2027, with a programme of approximately 113 weeks.

You will manage day-to-day site delivery, coordinating the team and subcontractors to ensure works progress safely, efficiently and in line with programme, budget and quality requirements.

The position is project based, with flexibility for occasional remote working. The wider regional business delivers projects across education, healthcare, blue light and Ministry of Justice sectors.

Key responsibilities:

• Manage site operations, ensuring delivery against the construction programme and budget.
• Coordinate direct labour, trades and subcontractors, maintaining clear priorities and efficient sequencing.
• Plan works around the operational school, maintaining safe access, segregation and effective communication.
• Maintain high standards of health and safety, environmental management, site welfare and housekeeping.
• Review drawings and construction information, working with the project team to resolve delivery issues.
• Monitor progress, workmanship and subcontractor performance, taking action where required.
• Maintain clear communication with the client, school representatives and wider project team.
• Support inspections, completion and handover, ensuring outstanding works and close-out actions are addressed.
• Support the development of site team members and communicate training needs.

About you:

• Significant site management experience with a Tier 1 main contractor.
• Experience delivering education/DfE or healthcare schemes, ideally valued between £10m and £20m.
• Strong understanding of construction methods, sequencing and the coordination of new-build and refurbishment works.
• Experience working in live schools or other occupied environments would be advantageous.
• Minimum HNC qualification in construction or a relevant discipline; a degree is preferable.
• Chartered membership of the CIOB, or actively working towards chartership.
• Valid CSCS card and First Aid certification.
• Based locally in Kent, with the ability to travel within and outside the county.
• Strong leadership, organisational and communication skills.

This opportunity offers involvement in a substantial school development within an established regional team delivering a varied public-sector portfolio.