At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Sizewell C project, ensuring safe and timely delivery of complex works.
- Company: Join WJ Groundwater Ltd, a leader in innovative infrastructure projects.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and a chance to work on groundbreaking nuclear projects.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace welcoming applicants from all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the nuclear sector while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in civil engineering or related field; experience in project management required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
The SZC Jobs Service supports local people into exciting, long-term careers across our Project.
Key areas of responsibility:
- SZC Account Leadership: Act as WJ's senior representative and single point of accountability for all WJ works on the Sizewell C project. Own the SZC delivery strategy, ensuring the portfolio of secured works (£20M+) is delivered safely, on programme, to specification and to budget. Represent WJ at senior client forums, programme reviews and alliance meetings, engaging credibly from Project Director down to Supervisor level. Champion nuclear safety culture and SZC site standards across all WJ teams and subcontractors.
- Client & Stakeholder Management: Manage WJ's relationships with SZC Ltd, the Civil Works Alliance (CWA), their stakeholders and their subcontractors. Navigate WJ's concurrent positions at Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 contractor levels on site, managing the differing contractual interfaces, obligations and reporting lines that each entail. Build and protect WJ's reputation on site as the basis for repeat work and pipeline conversion. Coordinate stakeholder communications, progress reporting and issue escalation across multiple concurrent contracts.
- Project & Programme Delivery: Direct the delivery of a multi-disciplinary portfolio covering dewatering, water treatment, surface water management (pumping systems), water abstraction wells, pumping tests, water sampling & testing, I&M, and design work including temporary works designs. Provide direct line management and leadership to the SZC Project Managers, site delivery teams and subcontractors. Plan and secure resources (people, plant, equipment, materials) with the Operations Manager and service line leads to meet programme demands. Ensure design deliverables, including temporary works designs, are properly planned, checked, approved and implemented in accordance with WJ and SZC design management procedures. Drive programme performance, early warning of risks, and recovery planning where required.
- Safety, Quality & Environment: Ensure all WJ works comply with SZC site rules, nuclear safety culture expectations, CDM duties and WJ's SHEQ requirements. Ensure environmental compliance across abstraction, discharge, sampling and monitoring activities, including permit and consent conditions. Lead incident prevention, investigation and learning across the SZC portfolio. Ensure quality records, inspection & test plans, and handover documentation meet nuclear-grade expectations.
- Commercial Management (Shared Accountability): Share commercial accountability for the SZC account with the Managing Quantity Surveyor (commercial control) and the Head of Business Development (pipeline growth). Support the MQS and project QS in contract administration under NEC forms, including early warnings, compensation events, programme submissions and change control across all tiers. Ensure accurate cost and value reporting, forecasting and cash recovery across the SZC contracts. Identify, protect and pursue WJ's commercial entitlement while maintaining collaborative client relationships.
- Pipeline Growth & Work Winning: Work with the Head of Business Development and Sales team to convert the £40M+ SZC opportunity pipeline, providing delivery input to bids, pricing and negotiations. Identify emerging scopes and early opportunities on site, positioning WJ ahead of formal procurement. Support pre-qualification, tender submissions and client presentations for new SZC packages.
- Reporting & Governance: Produce regular account reports for the Operations Manager and Senior Leadership Team covering safety, programme, commercial performance, risks and pipeline. Ensure all SZC activity aligns with WJ's IMS, QMS and SHEQ requirements and with SZC/CWA governance and assurance processes.
Qualifications & Experience
- Essential: Degree in civil engineering, construction management or a related discipline, or equivalent experience at senior project management level. Proven track record as a Senior Project Manager delivering complex works on major infrastructure programmes (e.g. nuclear new-build, Hinkley Point C, HS2, Thames Tideway or similar). Nuclear sector experience, including working within nuclear safety culture on new-build or licensed sites. Strong experience managing works under NEC3/4 contracts, including operating at multiple contractor tiers. Experience managing multi-disciplinary teams, including Project Managers, site delivery teams and subcontractors. Excellent stakeholder management skills, with credibility from Project Director to Supervisor level in client, alliance and subcontractor organisations. Strong commercial acumen, including cost/value awareness, change control and forecasting. Eligibility to obtain and maintain security clearance for the SZC site (e.g. BPSS/SC). SMSTS, CSCS and full UK Driving Licence.
- Desirable: Technical knowledge of dewatering, groundwater control, water treatment, abstraction wells, pumping tests or instrumentation & monitoring. Experience of temporary works management (e.g. as TWC) and design management processes. Experience working within alliance/collaborative delivery models such as the Civil Works Alliance. Chartered or working towards chartership with a relevant institution (e.g. ICE, APM, CIOB).
For this role you must have evidence of right to work in the UK. As a project, we do not discriminate on the grounds of age, gender, race, colour, religion, disability or sexual orientation, and we welcome applications from all sections of the community.
Project Lead (Sizewell C) employer: EDF
At EDF, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. As an Occupational Health Advisor in Exeter, you will enjoy a flexible hybrid working model, a competitive salary, and access to a market-leading pension scheme, all while making a meaningful impact on workplace health and safety.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Lead (Sizewell C)
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like EDF, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Project Lead (Sizewell C) at EDF.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Lead (Sizewell C)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at EDF
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
