Senior Enabling Works Project Manager - Rail

Nicholas O'Dwyer Ltd; Dublin; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Nicholas O'Dwyer Ltd seeks a Senior Enabling Works Project Manager - Rail to lead early-stage enabling works across major infrastructure programmes in Ireland. You will manage site preparation, utility diversions, surveys and environmental tasks, ensuring safety, on-time delivery and quality.

The role requires proven leadership across multiple packages, strong client and stakeholder relations, NEC contract familiarity, and willingness to travel to project sites.

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering or related discipline (NFQ Level 6/7).
• 10 years of project delivery experience with at least 5 years enabling works/rail.
• Experience delivering major rail or transport infrastructure across full lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategy, planning and delivery of enabling works packages.
• Manage scope, budgets, schedules and governance.
• Ensure compliance with programme timelines and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate site preparation, utility diversions, demolition, surveys, archaeology, and environmental monitoring.
• Lead interfaces with clients, authorities and supply chain partners.
• Monitor progress, risks and change control; report to stakeholders.
• Provide leadership and mentoring to project teams.

Skills

Rail project management

Enabling works

Stakeholder management

Contract administration

Leadership

Risk management

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

About The Company

At Nicholas O'Dwyer, sustainability is at the core of our work. If you are looking to advance your career in a socially responsible company, which has a proven track record over 90 years, and is committed to creating a sustainable planet, we invite you to be part of our team.

Our mission and values

Our mission is to provide innovative and reliable solutions using cutting edge technology and expertise, to ensure project success and employee satisfaction. We deliver infrastructure projects in water, wastewater, transportation, civil and structural engineering, flood protection, and energy including renewables. With headquarters in Ireland, we also operate in the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. As part of the RSK Group, an amalgamation of over 200 companies with more than 17,000 employees, we benefit from a global network of opportunities while retaining our brand and autonomy.

About The Role

We are seeking a Senior Enabling Works Project Manager - Rail to lead the strategic planning, governance, coordination, and delivery of complex early-stage enabling works across major infrastructure programmes. The role includes overall responsibility for site preparation, utility diversions and protection works, demolition, surveys, archaeological and heritage works, environmental monitoring, and other essential pre-construction activities. The successful candidate will provide leadership across multiple packages, ensuring that enabling works are delivered safely, on programme, within budget, and to the required technical and quality standards, while enabling an effective transition into the main construction phase.

Key Duties And Responsibilities

• Lead the strategy, planning, governance, coordination, and delivery of multiple enabling works packages across all stages of the project lifecycle.
• Establish and maintain package scope, budgets, schedules, milestones, resources, delivery strategies, and governance requirements.
• Ensure each package is delivered in accordance with programme timelines, contract requirements, regulatory obligations, technical standards, and stakeholder expectations.
• Coordinate site preparation, utility diversions, demolition, surveys, archaeology, heritage works, environmental monitoring, and utility protection activities.
• Liaise with clients, local authorities, statutory bodies, heritage and environmental bodies, utility providers, contractors, and supply chain partners.
• Manage interfaces between enabling works and the wider design, planning, procurement, construction, systems, and operational workstreams.
• Review interfacing contracts and work packages to ensure alignment with overall programme objectives, timelines, and integration requirements.
• Monitor and report on progress, expenditure, schedule, milestones, risks, change control, quality, and package performance.
• Identify project and interface risks and implement appropriate mitigation and recovery measures.
• Ensure all works are undertaken in accordance with applicable health and safety legislation, environmental requirements, planning conditions, and quality standards.
• Undertake site inspections and oversee the implementation of quality assurance and quality control procedures.
• Lead the administration of assigned contracts and ensure compliance with project governance, procurement, commercial, and reporting requirements.
• Facilitate effective collaboration across multidisciplinary project teams and external delivery partners.
• Act as the senior company representative in meetings and correspondence with clients, contractors, statutory bodies, and other stakeholders.
• Promote continuous improvement and identify opportunities to improve safety, efficiency, quality, and project delivery.
• Provide leadership, technical direction, and mentoring to project team members, and support senior management in resolving complex delivery, commercial, and stakeholder matters.
• Undertake additional duties as required to support project delivery and reflect the evolving needs of the business.

Key Requirements

• Degree or relevant qualification at NFQ Level 6 or 7, or equivalent, in Engineering, Construction, Project Management, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of 10 years’ project delivery experience, including at least 5 years within enabling works, construction management, rail, transportation, or a comparable infrastructure specialism.
• Demonstrated experience delivering major rail, transportation, or comparable infrastructure projects across the full project lifecycle.
• Proven experience in enabling works and construction management, including utilities and other pre-construction packages.
• Strong commercial and financial awareness within a package or project environment, including experience working with contractors and supply chain partners.
• Experience leading elements of projects within large, diverse, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong knowledge of project planning, scheduling, risk management, change control, contract administration, and progress reporting.
• Experience developing and maintaining effective relationships with clients, contractors, statutory bodies, and stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong technical, analytical, organisational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Working knowledge and experience of NEC contracts is required.
• PMP, Certified Construction Manager, APM Chartered Project Professional status, or membership of an appropriate professional institution would be advantageous.
• Full clean driving licence and flexibility to travel to project sites as required.

About Us

Our mission is to deliver sustainable solutions that transform communities and bring about lasting positive change. Through a blend of expertise, innovation and global dedication, we envision a world where sustainable engineering protects growing communities. Nicholas O'Dwyer provides professional services in engineering design, project management, environment and planning, construction supervision and technical and contract advisory. We are one of the most respected Irish consultancies operating in local and international markets, providing professional services to public- and private-sector clients. Whether in Ireland, the UK or internationally, we understand and solve major challenges associated with delivering and adapting infrastructure for an increasing global population while maintaining a sustainable environment for future generations. Nicholas O'Dwyer is part of the RSK Group, a leading integrated environmental, engineering, and technical services business providing dynamic, multidisciplinary services to a wide range of sectors. RSK was founded in 1989 and has grown considerably since then. At RSK, we operate as a group of businesses that work together seamlessly, aiming for growth through diversification. Our strategy helps us build a strong and resilient business, capable of weathering external challenges, while also providing greater value to our clients and more opportunities for our employees. Since the beginning, our philosophy has remained the same: employ, develop and reward talented individuals. People are crucial to our company, and we recognise that our success hinges on our colleagues' growth. We're committed to preserving RSK's people-first culture, promoting innovation, and fostering a supportive and caring environment for collaboration. At RSK, we want you to be part of our successes and help you reach your career aspirations. We take pride in offering employees fulfilling and challenging careers by promoting ongoing growth and empowering individuals to excel. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace that welcomes individuals from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We firmly believe that embracing and celebrating the diversity in our workforce makes us a stronger and more innovative company. If you're passionate about making a difference, join us as we work together to build a brighter, more equitable, and sustainable future for all. Do you have what it takes?