At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead multiple substation projects, ensuring safe and efficient delivery.
- Company: Join OCU, a rapidly growing company in the UK's electricity network sector.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, career development, and support for your growth.
- Other info: Exciting opportunities for career progression in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of infrastructure while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in project management and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
Department: Regulated Power
Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time
Location: Erith
Reporting To: Kate Bazeley
Description Location: Erith/ Greenwich | Contract Type: Permanent | Working Pattern: Full-Time | Office & Site Based | Regular Travel
Pay / Benefits: Remuneration for this role is benchmarked competitively within our sector. OCU is delivering critical substation construction, refurbishment, and maintenance programmes that support the resilience and future growth of the UK's electricity network.
As a Contracts Manager, you'll take ownership of operational delivery across multiple frameworks, leading Project Managers and delivery teams to ensure projects are completed safely, efficiently, and to the highest standards. This is a key leadership role within our Power division, offering the opportunity to shape operational performance, build strong client relationships, and drive successful delivery across a diverse portfolio of substation projects. If you're an experienced operational leader who thrives in a fast-paced infrastructure environment, we'd like to hear from you.
What You’ll Do
- Lead the operational delivery of multiple substation projects and maintenance workstreams across framework contracts.
- Manage Project Managers and project teams, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, and within budget.
- Coordinate labour, plant, materials, and subcontractor resources to maximise delivery performance.
- Monitor programme performance, identifying and resolving issues that may impact project timelines.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with clients, stakeholders, and supply chain partners.
- Drive compliance with company procedures, client requirements, and industry regulations.
- Champion a positive safety culture and ensure high standards of health, safety, environmental, and quality performance.
- Review operational performance, risks, and opportunities, providing regular updates to senior leadership.
- Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, consistency, and project outcomes.
- Support commercial performance through effective planning, resource management, and cost awareness.
What You’ll Bring
- Significant experience in operations or project management within utilities, power, infrastructure, engineering, or construction environments.
- Proven track record of managing multidisciplinary teams and delivering complex projects.
- Strong leadership, organisational, and communication skills.
- Experience managing project programmes, resources, and operational performance.
- Strong understanding of health, safety, environmental, and quality requirements within construction environments.
- Ability to build and maintain strong client and stakeholder relationships.
- Proficiency in project and operations management systems and software.
- Full UK driving licence.
- Experience delivering substation construction, maintenance, or electrical infrastructure projects.
- Bonus if you have experience working within DNO, ICP, or Transmission & Distribution environments.
- It would be great if you hold qualifications such as SMSTS, IOSH, NEBOSH, NVQ Level 6, or equivalent.
- It would be great if you've managed long-term framework contracts and client relationships.
- Experience supporting business growth, strategic planning, and operational improvement initiatives would be advantageous.
What We Offer
At OCU, we believe that meaningful work should come with meaningful support. That's the principle behind Careers with Purpose, our commitment to ensuring every person at OCU feels supported, developed, and valued, not just in their role today, but throughout their career with us. Alongside the opportunity to work on some of the UK's most significant infrastructure projects, we offer a benefits package that we are continuing to develop as we grow, and the kind of career acceleration that only comes from being inside a business moving at this pace. As a rapidly growing organisation, there are genuine opportunities to progress, broaden your experience, and build a long-term career within OCU Group. Our vacancies are typically advertised for two weeks; however, we reserve the right to close applications early should we receive a sufficient number of suitable candidates. We therefore encourage early applications.
Contract Manager Substation Civils employer: OCU Group
At OCU, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Greenwich where Quantity Surveyors can thrive. Our commitment to employee development is reflected in our 'Careers with Purpose' initiative, ensuring that every team member feels valued and supported while working on significant infrastructure projects. With competitive remuneration, opportunities for career progression, and a collaborative culture, OCU is the ideal place for professionals seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Contract Manager Substation Civils
✨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 OCU 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 Contract Manager Substation Civils at OCU Group.
We think you need these skills to ace Contract Manager Substation Civils
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 OCU 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!
