Works Manager

Matchtech; Luton; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 101,000; Full time

Job summary

Matchtech is seeking a Freelance Works Manager in Luton to lead highway and civil engineering schemes. You will manage resources, supervise subcontractors and ensure safety, quality and regulatory compliance across active travel and local transport projects.

You will bring hands-on leadership, a proven track record in highway schemes and the ability to drive programmes in a busy delivery team. Immediate start available for an initial 3–6 month assignment.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership in delivering capital highway works.
• Strong stakeholder management across multi-disciplinary teams.
• Experience ensuring safety, quality and compliance in highway schemes.

Responsibilities

• Manage resources to deliver capital projects up to £500k on time and to budget.
• Lead multiple highway maintenance and improvement schemes.
• Ensure HSEQ compliance and company procedures at all times.
• Collaborate with Programme Manager to deliver annual work programmes.
• Oversee site operations, labour, subcontractors and supply chain partners.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communications

Education

NRSWA Supervisor

SMSTS

Construction/engineering/project management qualification

Tools

Microsoft 365

Asta Powerproject

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Job description

Freelance Works Manager

Location: Luton
Contract Type: Freelance Contract (Inside IR35)
Duration: Initial 3-6 Month Contract
Day Rate: Competitive (Inside IR35)
Start: ASAP

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Freelance Works Manager to join a busy Highways Maintenance team in Luton, delivering a portfolio of capital construction and highway improvement schemes.
This role is ideally suited to a hands‑on Works Manager with a strong highways background and experience managing operational teams across drainage, structures, active travel and local transport projects. The successful candidate will be responsible for the safe, efficient and successful delivery of schemes valued up to £500k.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage delivery resources to ensure the successful completion of capital construction projects valued up to £500k.
• Lead the delivery phase of multiple highway maintenance and improvement schemes.
• Ensure full compliance with Health, Safety, Environmental and Quality (HSEQ) requirements and company procedures.
• Work closely with the Programme Manager to define and deliver annual work programmes.
• Manage site operations, labour, subcontractors and supply chain partners.
• Monitor project performance against programme, budget and quality requirements.
• Ensure all works are delivered in accordance with relevant legislation, specifications and industry standards.
• Promote a positive safety culture and ensure safe systems of work are implemented across all activities.
• Provide leadership, direction and support to operational teams.
• Identify and mitigate project risks, driving efficient project delivery at all times.

Essential Experience & Qualifications

• Proven experience managing operational resources on civil engineering or highway construction schemes.
• Experience delivering:
  • Drainage schemes
  • Structures projects
  • Active Travel schemes
  • Local Transport infrastructure works
• New Roads and Street Works Supervisor (NRSWA Supervisor) qualification.
• SMSTS qualification.
• Relevant construction, engineering or project management qualification.
• Strong understanding of Chapter 8 Traffic Management requirements.
• Working knowledge of:
  • Microsoft 365
  • Asta Powerproject
  • Confirm
• Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrable experience managing site teams and subcontractors within a highways environment.

Desirable Experience & Qualifications

• AP61 Lift Planning.
• Highways maintenance framework experience.
• Temporary Works awareness.
• First Aid at Work qualification.

Ideal Candidate

You will be an experienced Freelance Works Manager with a proven track record of delivering highway and civil engineering schemes safely and efficiently. Comfortable managing multiple workstreams, operational teams and subcontractors, you'll be someone who can hit the ground running and add immediate value to an established delivery team.

What's on Offer?

• Freelance Contract (Inside IR35)
• Initial 3-6 month assignment with potential extension.
• Long-term programme of highways and infrastructure works.
• Opportunity to work with one of the UK's leading highways maintenance delivery teams.
• Immediate start available.