Site Manager

Linear Recruitment Ltd; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading contractor in the utilities sector is seeking a proactive Site Manager to oversee water repair and maintenance projects in the Sunderland area. This role requires hands-on leadership, strong safety compliance, and previous site management experience in the water or utilities sector. The position offers a competitive package with employee benefits and clear career progression opportunities. Ideal for an experienced manager ready to make a visible difference in a fast-paced environment.

Benefits

Private healthcare

Pension and life insurance

Enhanced family leave policies

Structured training and career progression

Wellbeing support

Employee discounts

Qualifications

• Proven Site Management experience delivering maintenance contracts in the water sector.
• Experience in supervising and managing site operatives and subcontractors.
• Competence in H&S documentation and handling client audits.

Responsibilities

• Manage water repair & maintenance contracts to time and budget.
• Lead site safety and own H&S culture.
• Maintain quality standards and complete records.

Skills

Site Management experience in water or utilities

People management

Technical problem solving

Safety compliance

Quality assurance

Education

NRSWA Supervisor qualification

Water Safety Passport

SMSTS or IOSH Managing Safely

Tools

CSCS card

Driving licence

Job description

Overview

I’m recruiting on behalf of a main contractor working on the Northumbrian Water framework and we’re looking for a proactive Site Manager to lead repair and maintenance works across the region. This is a hands‑on role for an experienced site professional with strong water / utilities sector knowledge who can run safe, compliant, and efficient site operations while developing their team and delivering for the client.

Key responsibilities

• Day‑to‑day management of water repair & maintenance contracts, delivering programmes on time and to budget.
• Lead site safety and compliance: own the site H&S culture, ensure RAMS / Permit‑to‑Work / SSoW are implemented, support risk assessments and incident investigations.
• Quality assurance: maintain standards of workmanship, complete quality records and close out snagging and audit actions.
• Plant, materials and logistics control: plan and oversee plant use, materials delivery and 3rd‑party interfaces.
• People leadership: recruit, mentor and manage site operatives and subcontractors; lead toolbox talks, competency checks and performance reviews.
• Client & stakeholder liaison: represent the contractor at progress meetings, coordinate with Northumbrian Water client reps, local authorities and statutory bodies.
• Technical problem solving: deliver practical solutions to operational challenges, manage improvement notices and lessons learned.
• Administration & reporting: maintain timesheets, site diaries, as‑laid records, test paperwork and weekly progress reports.
• Support continuous improvement: participate in joint inspections, site monitoring reviews and technical audits.

Qualifications & experience

• Proven Site Management experience in water or utilities (or closely related civil / infra works) — delivering repair, reinstatement, or maintenance contracts.
• NRSWA Supervisor qualification (essential).
• Water Safety Passport or equivalent water industry safety training.
• SMSTS or IOSH Managing Safely (or equivalent supervisory H&S training).
• Supervisory / people‑management training and demonstrable experience leading operatives and subcontractors.
• CSCS card (or appropriate craft / management card) and full UK driving licence.
• Competence in completing quality & H&S documentation, and experience handling client audits and improvement notices.
• Desirable: Confined Space, First Aid at Work, Permit to Work experience, and familiarity with network asset records / as‑laid submissions.

Benefits

• The role offers a competitive package with a range of employee benefits typically available through the contractor, for example: private healthcare / cashback health plan, pension and life insurance, enhanced family leave policies, structured training and career progression, and wellbeing support and employee discounts.

Why apply

This is a durable frontline Site Management role on an established water framework – great for a hands‑on manager who wants variety, responsibility and clear career progression with a main contractor. If you’re ready to step into a role where your leadership, safety focus and water‑sector know‑how make a visible difference, apply now and let’s have a confidential conversation.