Head of Construction (Nuclear Frameworks)

Job title: Head of Construction (Nuclear Frameworks)
Job Type: Permanent
Start date: ASAP
Rate: Market Led
Location: Cumbria, or Warrington Based - Open to location
Hours of work: 40 Hours Per Week

The Role:
You will be accountable for the successful execution of construction scope, ensuring that safety, quality, schedule and productivity objectives are achieved in accordance with project and customer requirements. It carries construction delivery standards with genuine authority to deploy them into both contracts; operations, compliance and SQEP through the Construction Operations, Compliance & SQEP Lead; and the workforce organisation through the Head of Construction Workforce.

Assignments will include nuclear infrastructure projects, EPCM delivery contracts and decommissioning programmes.

The role is responsible for leading construction teams and contractors, coordinating site activities, managing construction risks and opportunities, and ensuring compliance with all applicable regulatory, health and safety, quality and company requirements.

Working closely with Framework leadership, project teams, engineering teams, commercial teams and client representatives, the Head of Construction will contribute to the safe and successful delivery of complex nuclear projects within the UK nuclear sector.

Roles and Responsibilities:
1. Construction Standards: Owns and maintains the construction standards, methods, workmanship requirements, temporary works and sequencing across both frameworks.

2. Standards Compliance: Ensures consistent application of construction standards, with authority to approve or reject deviations.

3. Supervision: Defines supervision expectations, workface control, site presentation and visual management standards.

4. Handover: Defines construction completion, quality assurance and client handover requirements.

5. Constructability: Ensures construction input is incorporated into design, procurement and project planning before commitments are made.

6. Design Interface: Ensures designs and construction methods are practical, buildable and suitable for their intended operating environments.

7. Operational Compliance: Leads construction operational conformance, quality control, compliance and SQEP through the Construction Operations, Compliance & SQEP Lead.

8. CDM Responsibilities: Ensures Principal Contractor obligations are discharged where applicable, including the Construction Phase Plan and construction risk coordination.

9. Workforce Organisation: Leads construction workforce planning, resourcing, industrial relations, supervision and retention through the Head of Construction Workforce.

10. Subcontractor Capability: Works with the Head of Commercial to ensure subcontractors have the capability, resources and supervision to deliver their packages.

11. Productivity: Owns the construction productivity agenda, ensuring estimated outputs align with measured site performance.

12. Standards Translation: Works with the Projects Director to translate group processes into practical, safe and deliverable construction methods.

13. Capability Development: Owns construction skills planning, apprenticeships and the development of local construction capability.

14. Leadership and Succession: Develops construction leaders, supervisors and successors, reducing long-term reliance on expatriate personnel.

15. Mobilisation: Establishes the construction organisation, standards, recruitment and workforce arrangements ahead of delivery.

16. IAC Transition: Ensures existing plant knowledge and operational experience are captured and incorporated into construction methods.

17. Execution Assurance: Ensures construction standards and approved methods are implemented consistently across both frameworks.

18. Continuous Improvement: Uses site reviews, performance data and lessons learned to address gaps and improve construction delivery.

19. Organisation Leadership: Builds and leads one integrated construction organisation, establishing consistent standards, accountability and behaviours across both contracts.

20. Performance Reporting: Reports monthly to the Framework Director on standards, compliance, productivity, workforce capability, execution performance, risks and issues, escalating any pressures or disagreements that could compromise construction standards.

Candidates Essential Experience/Qualifications Requirements:
Candidates will have a minimum 10 year's experience in nuclear, defence, infrastructure, energy or other highly regulated sectors, including significant time delivering work on a nuclear licensed site.
Candidates MUST have a Degree or equivalent qualification in Engineering, Construction Management, Construction Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Quantity Surveying or a related discipline.
Significant experience managing major construction projects, construction packages or site delivery operations.
Experience working within EPC, EPCM, alliance, framework or programme delivery environments.
Demonstrated accountability for construction safety, quality, productivity and schedule performance.
Experience managing subcontractors, construction supply chains and field delivery teams.
Good commercial and contract management experience - NEC Contracts 3 /4
Experience applying construction governance, assurance and site controls.
Experience managing relationships with clients, contractors and project stakeholders.
Relevant construction, engineering, site management or project delivery qualifications commensurate with the seniority of the role.
Demonstrable experience successfully leading major construction delivery activities within highly regulated environments.

Desirable
Chartered status (e.g. CEng, MCIOB, MRICS) or ability to demonstrate an equivalent level of professional standing and industry recognition.
Professional certification in construction management, site leadership, project management or programme management (e.g. ChPP, APM, PMP, MSP, PRINCE2 Practitioner, or equivalent).

Please note for this role Security Vetting will be required, all candidates MUST be eligible to obtain or ideally already hold.

Interested in this position? please click "apply now"

We try to respond to all applicants, but sometimes this is not possible due to high volumes of applications; if you have not heard from us within 14 days, regrettably it means you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Company information:
This is a Permanent vacancy and is being advertised by Rullion Ltd
Since 1978, Rullion has been securing exceptional candidates for a range of clients; from large well-known brands, to SMEs and start-ups. As a family-owned business, Rullion's approach is credible and honest, focused on building long-lasting relationships with both clients and candidates.

Rullion is a forward-thinking recruitment company that specialises in providing a wide range of talent consultancy services to a diverse client base; from small start-ups to large household names.
We celebrate and support diversity and are committed to ensuring equal opportunities for both employees and applicants.

Rullion celebrates and supports diversity and is committed to ensuring equal opportunities for both employees and applicants.