At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead pre-construction phases for cable route projects, ensuring feasibility and compliance.
- Company: Join JSM Group, a leader in power networks and digital infrastructure.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, health plans, and 28 days off.
- Other info: Hybrid role with opportunities for professional growth and training.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on innovative projects while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in pre-construction or feasibility for utility civils projects is essential.
The predicted salary is between 56250 - 68750 £ per year.
You’ll lead the pre-construction phase of our cable route projects: feasibility, surveys, route design and the engineering difficulties that make or break a programme and hand construction a scheme that’s buildable, compliant and priced right. You’ll lead a team of Senior Project Managers and present to clients at tender, explaining exactly how we’ll deliver it.
ABOUT JSM
JSM Group designs and builds the power networks and digital infrastructure that clients across the UK, Europe and beyond depend on from high-voltage grid connections and critical utilities to data centres and renewable energy. Our civil, power and digital engineers work under one roof, giving clients one team from design to energisation, with the technical, commercial and consenting risk managed from day one. Belonging here isn’t accidental; it’s engineered.
Our values of personal responsibility, sound judgment and drive shape how we work, and you’ll get the work to stretch you and the support to develop fast.
ABOUT THE TEAM
You’ll join our Pre-Construction Civils team at Potters Bar, part of JSM Power, reporting to the Head of Pre-Construction Civils. The team takes cable route projects from first feasibility to construction-ready design for DNO and IDNO networks and blue-chip clients, working day-to-day with estimating, engineering and delivery colleagues.
THE ROLE
This role exists to take the risk out of projects before they reach site. You’ll be the link between design, commercial and delivery, making sure every scheme we tender and build has been properly surveyed, engineered and thought through.
What you’ll do:
- Lead feasibility studies, route surveys and technical assessments for cable route projects — including paving schedules, cable pack designs, straight line diagrams and tender and construction programmes.
- Own the register of Special Engineering Difficulties, choosing the right trenched or trenchless solution (HDD, TBM) for each and making sure scopes of work, method statements and risk assessments build HSQE in from the start.
- Lead, coach and develop a group of Senior Project Managers and their teams, with risk registers built and actively managed across every project in your portfolio.
- Secure approvals and agree methodologies with DNOs and IDNOs, the Environment Agency, local authorities and other statutory bodies.
- Shape tenders with our estimators and surveyors' methodology, programme, risk and value-engineering options and present them at client negotiations.
Good to know: this is a hybrid role based at our Potters Bar office, with visits to site and to client and stakeholder offices as projects require.
WHAT YOU’LL BRING
Essential:
- Pre-construction or feasibility experience on cable route or utility civils projects, taking schemes from survey to construction-ready design.
- Working knowledge of trenched and trenchless methods, including HDD and TBM.
- Experience securing approvals from statutory bodies such as the Environment Agency and utility providers, and a working understanding of DNO/IDNO standards.
- Experience leading project managers or engineering teams.
- A degree in Civil Engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
Nice to have:
- Experience presenting technical proposals or methodologies at tender or client negotiation.
- Chartered or incorporated status (or working towards it).
You’ll thrive here if you:
- Take ownership of your work and your development.
- Would rather solve a hard technical problem than avoid it.
- Know that good delivery depends on civil, power and digital teams pulling in the same direction.
- Are straight with people about risk and programme, especially under pressure.
Don’t tick every box? Apply anyway. We look at what you’ve delivered and what you’re capable of — not just the list.
WHAT WE OFFER:
- Pay & reward: competitive salary, performance-linked bonus and car allowance (where applicable), 4% matched pension.
- Time off: 28 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Health & wellbeing: BUPA health cash plan, Benenden Health, employee assistance programme.
- Career growth: funded training through our Training Centre and Competency Cloud, professional memberships and a clear route to chartership or higher authorisation.
- Extras: electric car salary-sacrifice scheme.
READY TO APPLY? Click Apply and upload your CV it takes around 5 minutes, and no cover letter is needed.
What happens next: a call with one of our Talent Partners. If you’re successful at that stage, we’ll invite you to an interview with the hiring manager.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
JSM Group is an equal opportunities employer, and we welcome applications from everyone. Better engineering comes from bringing different experience into the same room, and we assess every application on skills, experience, and potential. If you need an adjustment at any stage — the application, interview format or assessment.
Pre-Construction Civils Manager in London employer: JSM Group
At JSM Group, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, particularly within our Power Division where safety and quality are paramount. Our collaborative work culture fosters continuous improvement and professional growth, offering employees the chance to engage in meaningful projects while ensuring compliance with industry standards. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, we provide a supportive environment that values individual contributions and encourages career development across our sites in Cardiff and Somerset.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Pre-Construction Civils Manager in London
✨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 JSM Group, 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 Pre-Construction Civils Manager at JSM Group.
We think you need these skills to ace Pre-Construction Civils Manager in London
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 JSM Group
✨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!
