Strategic Manager Construction

Are you a dynamic leader with a passion for transforming building services and driving modernisation? Do you have a proven ability to lead a high-performing team, manage construction projects, and deliver exceptional value?

We are seeking a visionary Strategic Manager for Construction to lead the transformation of our construction services, manage a comprehensive £20m construction portfolio, and drive best practice and efficiency across the council.

In this pivotal role, you will lead change, set the strategic direction, and deliver high-quality, value-for-money construction services to meet the needs of the council, our partners, and the community we serve.

What is involved?

You will:

1. Lead the modernisation of the construction service, managing a £20m portfolio to ensure best value and best practice for the council and partners.
2. Manage a team of technical professionals to deliver projects on time, within budget, and to the required quality and scope.
3. Oversee both in-house teams and external suppliers to deliver high-quality construction services for new projects and capital maintenance.
4. Ensure effective financial management, delivering a trading surplus while reducing costs and aligning with the council’s budget and strategic goals.
5. Ensure compliance with ISO standards (45001, 14001, 9001:2015) and health and safety requirements for all construction activities.
6. Manage contracts, including tendering, evaluations, and service agreements, ensuring high-quality project delivery and supplier performance.

What will I need?

We are looking for a strategic thinker with extensive senior management experience in delivering a comprehensive construction service.

You will:

1. have a proven track record of managing complex construction programmes and projects, including matrix management.
2. have a strong commercial awareness and experience in contract preparation and procurement.
3. be skilled in providing visible leadership, empowering and developing teams while fostering a positive, customer-focused culture.
4. be an excellent communicator with the ability to deliver change and convey a compelling vision and strategy.
5. be educated to degree level or equivalent in a relevant subject; or able to demonstrate equivalent experience as outlined in the person specification.

Please refer to the Person Specification for the full criteria.

We encourage you to contact Susan Robinson, Head of Corporate Property & Land via email at to arrange an informal discussion about the role.

INTERVIEWS
Interviews will be held the week commencing Monday 17th March 2025.

We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, care leaver or a veteran.

REWARDS AND BENEFITS

1. We offer generous rewards and benefits that are designed to help you perform at your best:
2. Competitive salaries and 32 days holiday per year.
3. Option to purchase up to 10 additional days annual leave per year.
4. Hybrid working (home and office working).
5. Excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). Plus, top up options Salary Sacrifice Shared Cost AVC scheme and standard AVC scheme for members of the LGPS.
6. Wellbeing Portal and access to an Employee Assist Scheme.
7. Wide range of learning and development opportunities including professional qualifications, coaching and mentoring.
8. Employee Benefits Portal and Lifestyle Savings Scheme (discounts across a host of major retailers).
9. Discounted DCC gym membership.
10. Staff networks run by staff for our staff, including Race Equality and Diversity, Disability, LGBT+, Armed Forces, Carers, Menopause.
11. Trade Union membership.
12. A range of other salary sacrifice schemes such as car leasing.

This post will be eligible for hybrid working, however due to the nature of the role it is likely that attendance in the council’s buildings will be required for the majority of the working week.

HOW TO APPLY
In line with the County Council’s Recruitment and Selection Policy, please note that we are unable to accept CVs. Applications must be submitted on-line via the Northeast Jobs portal.

Please use the ‘Person Specification’ section of your application form to demonstrate that you have the essential and where possible, desirable experience, skills, and knowledge. Candidates who do not evidence that they meet the essential qualifications and experience listed on the person specification will not be short-listed.

If you have any support needs or require assistance when applying for this role, please contact the Recruitment Team via email or telephone the Recruitment Help Desk on tel. no. 03000 26 27 27 (option 3).

We collect personal information from you when you register with North East Jobs and make an application. Details on how we process your personal data is available in our Privacy Notice.

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