At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the growth of a new ground engineering business and develop innovative solutions.
- Company: Join a family-owned company recognised for its people-first culture and commitment to development.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holidays, gym access, and health benefits.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive and innovative environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the construction sector while leading a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Senior experience in ground engineering and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
This is an exciting opportunity for the right candidate to lead the establishment, development, and growth of a new specialist ground engineering business (Lagan Ground Engineering), as part of the Lagan Specialist Group.
Our Values
- Trust
- Respect
- Caring
- Open & Honest
- Safety
- Fun
Our Vision
To be a world class family-owned specialist contracting business that will grow to be the most respected in the construction and services sectors.
Our Mission
To provide specialist contracting and services solutions in an environment where people feel safe, secure and valued.
Role Overview
The successful candidate will be responsible for defining strategic direction, developing innovative solutions with relevant business planning, building operational capability, securing a project pipeline, and delivering profitable growth in sectors such as Ground Investigation, site enabling works, foundations, ground improvement, and other specialist geotechnical areas. The position requires a blend of entrepreneurship, technical expertise, commercial acumen, and strong leadership.
What you'll do
The following reflect the main tasks associated with your position and are not intended to be exclusive or exhaustive:
- Strategic Leadership & Business Formation
- Develop and execute the business plan for Lagan Ground Engineering.
- Define service offerings.
- Identify target markets, sectors, and key clients.
- Establish brand positioning and market entry strategy.
- Set short, medium, and long-term growth objectives.
- Technical Leadership
- Leadership in the promotion of innovative geotechnical solutions that will enable the development of a profitable and sustainable business model.
- Provide leadership on the correct technical solutions for investment and growth potential, ensuring compliance with all relevant engineering standards and regulations.
- Operational Setup & Delivery
- Establish operational systems, processes, and procedures for project delivery.
- Ensure efficient mobilisation of labour, plant, and supply chain.
- Oversee delivery of projects ensuring: Safety, Quality, Programme adherence, Budget performance.
- Business Development & Growth
- Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, consultants, and developers/contractors.
- Identify and secure new business opportunities and frameworks.
- Lead tendering, pricing, and contract negotiation activities.
- Develop a robust sales pipeline with clear revenue forecasting.
- Monitor market trends, competitors, and pricing strategies.
- Team Building & Leadership
- Recruit, build, and lead a high-performing team (engineering, commercial, operations).
- Develop organisational structure aligned to growth plans.
- Foster a strong culture of safety, performance, and accountability.
- Mentor and develop future leaders within the business.
- Set clear KPIs and performance objectives.
- Health, Safety, Environment & Quality (HSEQ)
- Lead with a safety-first culture across all operations.
- Ensure full compliance with HSEQ legislation and company policies.
- Implement robust risk management processes.
- Drive continuous improvement in quality and environmental performance.
- Governance & Risk Management
- Manage contractual and commercial risks.
- Ensure legal and regulatory compliance across all business activities.
- Provide regular reporting to Board.
What you'll bring
To succeed in this role, it is essential to have:
- Proven experience at senior level within ground engineering, geotechnical, or specialist contracting.
- Demonstrated success in business development and winning work.
- Strong commercial acumen and P&L management experience.
- Track record of building or scaling business units or divisions.
- Deep understanding of ground engineering techniques and project delivery.
- Leadership experience managing multidisciplinary teams.
It would also be desirable to have:
- Experience setting up new business ventures or start-ups.
- Established industry network within contractors, developers, consultants, and clients.
- Knowledge of UK & Ireland infrastructure and construction markets.
- Chartered Engineer or equivalent professional qualification.
Personal Attributes
The following attributes are essential to the Specialist Works Director role:
- Entrepreneurial mindset with strong drive and initiative.
- Strategic thinker with hands-on approach.
- Strong negotiation and influencing skills.
- Resilient, adaptable, and results oriented.
- High integrity and professional credibility.
- Ability to operate in line with Group Vision, Mission and Values.
How we'll reward you
In return, we offer an attractive, competitive salary and a wide selection of lifestyle offers, development and learning programmes, services and support designed to help you manage and balance your work/life priorities. We have a private, company gym at our Head Office in Belfast, which is free for all employees to use, and includes access to Personal Trainers for advice, group sessions and one-to-ones. We offer a Gym Subsidy scheme for those who live/work outside Northern Ireland.
Our Core Benefits potentially available to this role include:
- Generous holiday allowance increasing in each of your first 5 years service.
- Ability to purchase additional holidays.
- Discretionary Bonus Scheme (up to 20%).
- Private Medical Insurance.
- Health Cash Plan discounts for health services not covered by PMI, including PMI Excess.
- Occupational Sick Pay.
- Paid Membership fees of a relevant Institution or Professional Body.
- Car Allowance & Fuel Card.
- Ongoing Health and Wellbeing activities that include free annual health checks for all employees.
- Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme contributions are taken before tax.
- Company EV Leasing Scheme.
- Life Assurance Plan four times annual salary.
- Cycle to Work Scheme spread the cost and save on a new bike and cycling equipment.
- Annual Volunteer Day to support your choice of volunteering activity.
Your application
At Lagan Specialist Group, we want everyone to feel welcome. That's why we want you to know that we'll work with you to make the application process as smooth as possible. So please just let us know if you need any adjustments or support we'll do whatever we can to help. To apply for this role, please click Apply Now to submit a copy of your CV, or email. We wish you every success in your application.
LAGAN SPECIALIST GROUP ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER - We will not discriminate against anyone on the grounds of Sex, Pregnancy or maternity, Gender reassignment, Marital or Civil Partnership status, Religious or other similar philosophical belief, Political Opinion, Racial group, Sexual orientation, Disability or Age.
Specialist Works Director employer: LAGAN CONSTRUCTION SERVICES LIMITED
Lagan Specialist Group is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its employees, as evidenced by our Platinum Investors in People accreditation. With a strong focus on safety, innovation, and a supportive work culture, we offer numerous growth opportunities, competitive benefits, and a unique environment that fosters both personal and professional development. Our Belfast location features a private gym and various health initiatives, ensuring that our team members feel valued and empowered to thrive.
Contact Details:
LAGAN CONSTRUCTION SERVICES LIMITED Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Specialist Works Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks, attend events, and join relevant groups. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Specialist Works Director role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight your experience in ground engineering and business development. Make sure they see you as the go-to person for innovative solutions.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company culture and values. Lagan Specialist Group puts people first, so be ready to discuss how you align with their mission and how you can contribute to their growth.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Lagan family.
We think you need these skills to ace Specialist Works Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Specialist Works Director role. Highlight your leadership experience and any relevant ground engineering projects you've worked on. We want to see how you fit into our culture of putting people first!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how your values align with ours. Remember, we’re looking for someone who embodies trust, respect, and a safety-first mindset.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples to demonstrate your success in business development and project delivery. We love seeing how you've made an impact in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we’re here to support you every step of the way!
How to prepare for a job interview at LAGAN CONSTRUCTION SERVICES LIMITED
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of ground engineering and geotechnical solutions. Be ready to discuss specific techniques and how they can be applied to the role. This shows that you’re not just a leader but also someone who understands the technical side of things.
✨Align with Their Values
Familiarise yourself with the company’s core values: Trust, Respect, Caring, Open & Honest, Safety, and Fun. Think of examples from your past experiences that demonstrate these values in action. This will help you connect with the interviewers and show that you fit into their culture.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
Prepare to share specific instances where you've successfully led teams or projects. Highlight your ability to build high-performing teams and mentor future leaders. This is crucial for a role that requires strong leadership and team-building skills.
✨Be Business Savvy
Since this role involves business development, come prepared with insights about market trends and potential opportunities in the ground engineering sector. Discuss how you would approach building a project pipeline and securing new business, showcasing your commercial acumen.
