Construction Leader UK/I
Reports to: UK&I Installations Group Leader
Location: London - Heathrow
Contract Type: Permanent
Introduction to role
The UK&I Construction Leader is responsible for the operational leadership of construction and installation activities across the UK & Ireland airport portfolio. Reporting to the UK&I Installations Group Leader, the role acts as the operational lead for the Site Management community, ensuring safe, efficient and high-quality execution of all construction activities within live airport environments. The role supports Vanderlande’s ambition to act as a mature Principal Contractor and drives construction excellence, safety leadership, operational readiness and continuous improvement.
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:
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Lead and coordinate construction and installation activities across multiple airport projects.
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Coordinate simultaneous operations (SIMOPS) and complex work interfaces.
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Manage operational resource deployment and workforce utilisation.
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Lead construction readiness reviews covering design maturity, permits, materials, logistics, labour and stakeholder approvals.
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Support mobilisation, execution, commissioning and handover activities.
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Chair weekly construction coordination meetings and escalation forums.
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Ensure consistent use of ProTrack, Velocity and Omnitracker.
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Support monthly programme reviews, project boards and KPI reporting.
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Monitor contractor and subcontractor performance and drive corrective actions.
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Lead operational readiness reviews before major construction activities.
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Ensure compliance with Heathrow and airport governance requirements.
Role Qualification and Skills
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5–10 years experience leading construction or installation teams on large and complex brownfield projects.
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Experience operating within live airport environments and possession-based delivery models.
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Strong understanding of project lifecycle from pre-construction through handover.
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Knowledge of CDM 2015 Regulations and Principal Contractor obligations.
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Experience managing multi-disciplinary teams and airport stakeholders.
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Experience implementing continuous improvement and standardisation initiatives.
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Contract and project management awareness.
Preferred Qualifications
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SMSTS
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NEBOSH General Certificate
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NVQ Level 6/7 Construction Management or equivalent
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CSCS Black Management Card
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Higher Level Technical Qualification
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Project Management qualification desirable
Key Success Measures
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Safety Performance
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Principal Contractor Compliance
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Schedule Performance
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Installation Productivity
What we offer
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28 days annual leave (excluding public holidays)
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Bupa Medical Cover
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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
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A challenging work environment with lots of opportunities of career progression.
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Cycle to work scheme
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Yellow Nest is a salary exchange scheme that reduces childcare costs for parents and employers
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Pension with Aviva
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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.
