Construction Lead

NRL; Leiston; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction firm is seeking a Construction Lead for the Sizewell C project in Leiston, Suffolk. This role entails providing oversight on construction activities, ensuring compliance with safety regulations, and managing key stakeholder interfaces. Candidates must have extensive experience in nuclear new build construction and hold a relevant degree. The position offers a competitive salary between £80,000 to £110,000 depending on experience, with a full-time commitment expected.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of nuclear new build construction environments.
• Knowledge of UK nuclear regulatory framework.
• Experience working on or supporting nuclear-licensed sites.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor construction personnel.
• Monitor contractor performance and compliance.
• Act as a key interface with stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Risk management

Planning

Nuclear safety culture

Education

Degree in Construction Management or related discipline

Job description

Construction Lead – Sizewell C (Nuclear New Build)

Salary: £80,000 - £110,000 per annum (DOE)

Location: Suffolk, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full Time (40 hours per week)

Role Purpose

The Construction Management Lead will act as an Intelligent Client and Delivery Partner, providing leadership, oversight, and assurance of construction activities on the Sizewell C project. The role is responsible for ensuring construction is delivered safely, compliantly, and in accordance with the Nuclear Safety Case, meeting programme, cost, and quality requirements while maintaining a strong nuclear safety culture. The role will work collaboratively with the Client, Principal Contractor, and supply chain to ensure construction readiness, execution, and handover activities are effectively planned and controlled.

Key Accountabilities

Nuclear Safety & Culture

• Act as a role model for nuclear safety culture, ensuring safety is the overriding priority
• Ensure construction activities comply with the Sizewell C Nuclear Site Licence Conditions, safety cases, and regulatory expectations
• Support and challenge the supply chain to ensure safety case compliance and hold point management
• Interface with safety, assurance, and regulatory functions during audits, reviews, and inspections

Construction Delivery & Oversight

• Provide leadership and oversight of construction activities within assigned scope or area
• Monitor and assure contractor performance against agreed scope, programme, and quality standards
• Ensure construction sequencing aligns with safety case assumptions and constraints
• Oversee readiness reviews, start‑of‐work authorisations, and handover processes

Programme, Cost & Risk

• Support the development and delivery of integrated construction programmes
• Identify, manage, and escalate risks and issues impacting safety, schedule, or cost
• Contribute to change control, forecasting, and performance reporting
• Ensure lessons learned are captured and applied

Quality, Assurance & Configuration Control

• Ensure construction activities comply with nuclear quality requirements and approved documentation
• Oversee inspection, test, and verification activities
• Ensure configuration control, traceability, and records management meet Sizewell C requirements
• Manage non‑conformances and corrective actions

Stakeholder & Interface Management

• Act as a key interface between the Client, EPC contractors, designers, and regulators
• Chair or contribute to construction, safety, and progress meetings
• Provide clear, evidence‑based reporting to senior stakeholders

Leadership & Capability

• Lead and mentor construction and site assurance personnel
• Ensure competence, authorisation, and behavioural expectations are met
• Promote continuous improvement and collaboration across the project

Knowledge, Skills & Behaviours

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong understanding of nuclear new build construction environments
• Knowledge of UK nuclear regulatory framework and ONR expectations
• Experience working within client‑side, delivery partner, or assurance roles
• Strong planning, risk management, and governance skills
• Ability to challenge constructively and influence senior stakeholders

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• Degree (or equivalent) in Construction Management, Engineering, or related discipline
• Significant experience in construction management on nuclear or highly regulated infrastructure projects
• Experience working on or supporting nuclear‑licensed sites
• CSCS Black Card (or equivalent)
• Demonstrable experience working within nuclear safety cases
• Eligible for UK Security Clearance (SC minimum)

Desirable

• Chartered or working towards chartership (CIOB, ICE, IMechE, RICS)
• NEBOSH Construction Certificate or equivalent
• Knowledge of nuclear quality standards (ISO 19443, NQA‑1)
• Temporary Works Coordinator / Supervisor
• Lifting Operations experience

Commitment to Diversity

We welcome applications from every walk of life and are committed to diversity within the industries we support, as a certified Inclusive Recruiter and Armed Forces friendly employer.