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- Tasks: Lead new build projects, ensuring smooth delivery and high standards across the South-East.
- Company: Join Kensa, a mission-driven team focused on sustainability and innovation.
- Benefits: Flexible working, 25+ days holiday, private health insurance, and wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the transition to net zero while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Hands-on construction experience and strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Dog-friendly offices and opportunities for community impact through volunteering.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 65000 £ per year.
Location: South-East with regular travel (around 50% of your time)
Contract: Permanent, Full-Time
Salary: £60,000 - £65,000 (dependent on experience) + Benefits
Join Kensa and help drive the UK’s transition to net zero.
About the Role
We are searching for a highly capable New Build Operations Manager to act as the key operational lead across our South-East region. This role is central to ensuring our new build projects — delivered in partnership with our primary client GTC — run smoothly, professionally, and to a consistently high standard from planning through to completion. Spanning the full project lifecycle, you will work closely with sales teams, main contractors, large housing developers, and internal departments to ensure successful, safe and efficient project delivery. This position will suit a strong communicator with excellent technical knowledge, robust health & safety understanding, and a proactive, relationship-focused approach to problem solving. The role is hands‑on, with significant time spent on key sites across the South East — spotting risks early, engaging stakeholders, and ensuring exceptional project delivery.
What you’ll be doing
- Act as the main operational lead for our new build client, providing clear communication, managing expectations, and building strong working relationships.
- Carry out site visits and surveys to confirm scope, assess constraints, verify health & safety requirements, and identify risks early.
- Coordinate and manage subcontractors, ensuring work is delivered safely, on time, and to required standards, with regular progress check‑ins and action tracking.
- Review designs and technical details for buildability, escalating issues early and supporting practical solutions on site.
- Oversee RAMS and compliance, ensuring all activities align with regulations, site rules, and company SHEQ standards.
- Manage project costs and logistics, including delivery sequencing, storage, plant access, and resolving delivery or programme issues quickly.
- Monitor installation quality, manage snagging effectively, and ensure accurate documentation for smooth project close‑out and handover.
- Provide updates and reporting to internal teams and leadership, highlighting progress, risks, and performance trends.
What you’ll bring
- Hands‑on construction delivery experience across the full project lifecycle.
- Strong client and stakeholder management skills with confidence working on site.
- Solid technical and operational knowledge, including RAMS, SHEQ and installation processes.
- Experience coordinating subcontractors and managing programmes, risks, and logistics.
- Strong commercial awareness and ability to track budgets, variations, and labour/material use.
- Practical problem‑solver with strong communication skills and site leadership capability.
- Awareness of challenges associated with drilling and varying ground conditions.
What’s in it for you?
At Kensa, you’ll join a mission-driven team working on solutions that directly impact people, communities, and the planet. Join a supportive, forward-thinking team where innovation and sustainability drive everything we do. We support our colleagues with:
- Flexible Working: Hybrid and office-based options to suit your lifestyle.
- Growth & Development: Opportunities to stretch your skills through meaningful, collaborative work.
- Wellbeing Support: Free, confidential Employee Assistance Programme for you and your family.
- Time Off: 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, rising to 30 days with service.
- Health & Security: Private Health Insurance (after one year) and company pension.
- Community Impact: Paid volunteering days and regular team events.
- Dog-Friendly Offices: Some of our spaces, including HQ, welcome four-legged friends.
Ready to apply? We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities. If you need any adjustments during the application process, please let us know, we’re happy to support you. We’re looking for a role where you can make a real impact in a purpose-driven organisation, so if you’re ready to join us, we’d love to hear from you. You’re welcome to include a short cover note (a few paragraphs is plenty) telling us what draws you to Kensa and how your experience aligns with this role but it’s optional, so please apply in the way that suits you best.
New Build Operations Manager (SE) in Ashford employer: Kensa
Contact Detail:
Kensa Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land New Build Operations Manager (SE) in Ashford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the construction and project management sectors. Attend industry events or local meet-ups to make new contacts. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show up and shine! If you can, visit sites or projects related to Kensa’s work. This not only gives you a feel for the environment but also shows your genuine interest in the role. Plus, it’s a great way to engage with potential future colleagues.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Research Kensa’s projects and their approach to sustainability. Be ready to discuss how your hands-on experience aligns with their mission. Tailor your examples to highlight your problem-solving skills and stakeholder management.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, you can showcase your enthusiasm for joining a mission-driven team that’s making a real impact.
We think you need these skills to ace New Build Operations Manager (SE) in Ashford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see what excites you about working with Kensa and how you can contribute to our mission of driving the UK’s transition to net zero.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your hands-on construction delivery experience and any relevant project management skills. We’re looking for someone who can manage expectations and build strong relationships, so give us examples that showcase these abilities!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make it easy for us to see how your skills align with the New Build Operations Manager role. A well-structured application goes a long way!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows us you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kensa
✨Know Your Projects Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the types of new build projects Kensa is involved in. Familiarise yourself with their partnership with GTC and be ready to discuss how your hands-on construction delivery experience can contribute to successful project outcomes.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a New Build Operations Manager, strong communication is key. Prepare examples of how you've effectively managed client expectations and built relationships with stakeholders in previous roles. This will demonstrate your ability to act as the main operational lead.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Risk Management
Given the importance of spotting risks early, come prepared with specific examples of how you've identified and mitigated risks on site. Highlight your understanding of health & safety requirements and how you've ensured compliance in past projects.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to discuss practical solutions you've implemented in challenging situations. Whether it's coordinating subcontractors or managing logistics, showcasing your proactive approach to problem-solving will resonate well with the interviewers.