Construction Manager UK&I (Automated Systems Installation)

Job Title

Construction Manager UK&I (Automated Systems Installation)

Job Description

Reports to: UK&I Installations Group Leader

Location: London - Heathrow

Contract Type: Permanent

Introduction to role

The UK&I Construction Manager provides operational leadership for construction and installation activities across Vanderlande’s UK & Ireland airport portfolio. The role oversees mechanical, electrical and automation-related installation activities across brownfield and greenfield projects, including live airport environments.

We are looking for a construction leader experienced in automated systems installation, with the ability to influence, motivate and align multidisciplinary teams to achieve excellence. Through collaboration and shared ownership, the role drives safe, right-first-time delivery and readiness for commissioning and handover. Specialist automation engineering expertise is not required.

Reporting directly to the Senior Manager Installations, EU-LATAM, with a dotted-line relationship to the UK & Ireland Installations Group Leader, the role strengthens construction capability, operational readiness and continuous improvement. It supports Vanderlande’s fulfilment of Principal Contractor or equivalent local dutyholder responsibilities where the company is formally appointed.

Role Responsibilities

The Construction Manager will be accountable for the day-to-day construction delivery and operational performance of projects across the UK&I portfolio, acting as the Principal Contractor’s operational representative on assigned sites and will ensure full compliance with Construction Phase Plans, CDM 2015, RAMS, Permit-to-Work systems, and airport operational requirements while driving right-first-time installation, construction excellence, and continuous improvement through lessons learned and performance data from ProTrack, Velocity, and Omnitracker.

The role will serve as a senior operational interface with airport stakeholders, airlines, operations teams, and contractors, ensuring works are delivered safely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption to airport operations and passenger experience.

Also leading on proactive issue resolution, stakeholder alignment, productivity improvement, schedule recovery, and the identification of commercial opportunities. Aswell as providing leadership, coaching, and mentoring to Site Management teams, supporting succession planning and fostering strong collaboration between Project Management, Engineering, HSEQ, Planning, Logistics, and Procurement functions. The Role will involve acting as a visible safety leader, championing Vanderlande’s Stay Safe culture through safety tours, behavioural safety initiatives, proactive reporting, and the timely closure of safety actions.

Your responsibilities and activities will include:

• Ensure Site Managers lead construction readiness reviews with the relevant project stakeholders, covering design maturity, permits, materials, logistics, labour, work sequencing and stakeholder approvals. Challenge readiness, support resolution of gaps and escalate unresolved risks before mobilisation and major construction activities
• Coordinate simultaneous operations (SIMOPS), airport access arrangements, possession windows and interfaces between contractors and project teams
• Oversee site-based contract delivery involving significant project risk and complex installed equipment; monitor contractor performance and drive corrective actions
• Manage operational workforce deployment and utilisation across projects in line with agreed resource plans
• Coordinate construction and installation delivery, including mobilisation and pre-commissioning, and support commissioning and handover with the relevant project teams
• Chair weekly construction coordination meetings, resolve operational issues and escalate risks requiring wider decisions
• Ensure consistent use of ProTrack, Velocity, Omnitracker and other approved execution tools; use reliable data to support monthly programme reviews, project boards and KPI reporting
• Maintain compliance with Vanderlande governance and the requirements of Heathrow and other airports within the portfolio
• Ensure Site Managers implement agreed installation quality requirements, including inspection and test plans, acceptance criteria and quality records, in coordination with Engineering and HSEQ
• Monitor installation quality, non-conformances, rework and defect closure across projects. Drive corrective actions and ensure required inspections and quality documentation are completed to support installation acceptance and handover

Role Qualification and Skills

• At least five years’ experience leading multiple construction or installation teams on large, complex automation (MHS/BHS) projects, including brownfield & greenfield delivery
• Experience in baggage handling, airport automation, material handling, logistics or warehouse automation, parcel systems, industrial systems or a comparable technical environment
• A strong understanding of the project lifecycle from pre-construction through commissioning and handover, including readiness planning and operational interfaces
• Knowledge of applicable construction health and safety legislation and the responsibilities of Principal Contractors or equivalent local dutyholders, including the Project Supervisor Construction Stage (PSCS) role in the Republic of Ireland
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, manage stakeholders and resolve delivery issues across concurrent projects.
• Commercial and project management awareness, including labour performance, subcontractor delivery, change identification and recovery planning

Preferred Qualifications

• A relevant degree (Master/Bachelor) in engineering, Construction Design or Construction Management.

• NVQ Level 6/7 in Construction Management

• Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) certification.

• NEBOSH General Certificate or a comparable health and safety qualification.

• CSCS Black Manager card or an appropriate equivalent for the work location.

• A recognized project or construction management qualification, such as PMP, PMI-CP, CCM, PRINCE2.

Key Success Measures

• Safety Performance

• Principal Contractor Compliance

• Schedule Performance

• Installation Productivity

What we offer

• 28 days annual leave (excluding public holidays)

• Bupa Medical Cover

• YuLife – Wellbeing membership with fast access to GP appointments, promotion of health and wellbeing along with daily quests to gain Yucoins that can be swapped for shopping vouchers

• A challenging work environment with lots of opportunities of career progression.

• Cycle to work scheme

• Yellow Nest is a salary exchange scheme that reduces childcare costs for parents and employers

• Pension with Aviva

• Access to Achievers an award-winning recognition platform that inspires to recognise your coworkers Where points are awarded that can be exchanged for a range of goods and discounts.

Diversity & Inclusion

Vanderlande is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regards to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age marital status or disability status. If you feel there is a barrier that potentially prevents you from applying, we are always happy to discuss or explore, any reasonable adjustments can be made to support your application.