Construction Technical Authority in Stevenage

At Wade CMC, we deliver high-profile pharmaceutical and life sciences construction projects. Through a collaborative and transparent approach, we provide our clients with confidence, control, and certainty, while maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality, and compliance.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Construction Technical Authority (CTA) to join our expanding global team.

Why Join Wade

• Work on high-profile pharmaceutical and life sciences projects.
• Join a collaborative and specialist team.
• Be part of a team shaping the future of GMP construction delivery.
• Opportunities for career progression and professional development.
• Influence industry-leading standards in construction safety, risk management, and project assurance.

Our Culture at Wade

Wade's approach is built on integrity, collaboration, and accountability, ensuring every project is delivered safely, compliantly, and to the highest standards.

We look for people who:

Act with Integrity

Accountable, transparent, and professional in all interactions.

Put the Project First

Focus on achieving the best outcomes for clients, projects, and teams.

Take Ownership

Proactive, innovative, and solution-driven in approach.

Contribute positively to a supportive and high-performing team environment.

People are our foundation. At Wade, we back our people to thrive at work and in life because when our people grow, so does our impact.

The Opportunity

The Construction Technical Authority (CTA) plays a critical role in ensuring construction activities are planned, managed, and executed in accordance with client standards, regulatory requirements, and industry best practice.

The CTA serves as the independent construction risk and EHS authority, providing governance, assurance, and technical leadership throughout the project lifecycle. The role focuses on identifying, assessing, and controlling construction risks while ensuring safe and compliant project delivery within complex pharmaceutical and life sciences environments.

Operating across pre-construction planning, construction delivery assurance, and host site coordination, the CTA provides strategic oversight and challenge to ensure construction risks are effectively managed and that all parties understand and discharge their responsibilities.

The CTA is a senior construction professional with the authority, leadership capability, and technical competence to influence project outcomes, challenge unsafe behaviours, and ensure construction activities are executed in compliance with client standards and applicable legal requirements.

The CTA will be appointed against one of two recognised competency routes: Construction Manager (CM) or Construction EHS Manager (CEHSM). Candidates should indicate which route best reflects their background and be prepared to be assessed against the corresponding competency framework. Appointment to the CTA role is subject to formal assessment and registration by the client's Head of Construction (or equivalent client governance process) prior to commencing duties on client sites.

Key Responsibilities

Pre-Construction EHS Planning & Constructability Leadership

• Provide specialist input into contracting, procurement, and project delivery strategies.
• Lead, facilitate constructability reviews throughout project development and execution.
• Identify and assess construction risks during project planning and design development.
• Ensure construction risk management principles are embedded within project delivery strategies.
• Support permitting strategies, regulatory compliance planning.
• Review project execution plans, construction methodologies, and logistics strategies.
• Define construction responsibility boundaries, emergency response arrangements, and EHS management strategies in collaboration with host site teams.
• Review and approve contractor selection from a construction safety and capability perspective.
• Assess competence of key contractor personnel and project leadership teams.
• Develop and approve preliminary Construction Phase Plans and associated risk management documentation.

Construction Assurance & Governance

• Provide independent assurance of construction delivery activities.
• Review and approve contractor Construction Phase Plans before works commence.
• Verify that construction risks have been identified, assessed, and effectively controlled.
• Conduct regular assurance reviews, audits, inspections, and site assessments.
• Monitor contractor performance against project EHS objectives and client standards.
• Ensure construction activities comply with legal requirements, client procedures, and industry best practice.
• Review high-risk construction activities and associated control measures.
• Challenge unsafe practices and drive corrective actions where necessary.
• Escalate significant construction risks and non-conformances to project leadership.
• Support incident investigations and ensure lessons learned are implemented.
• Monitor implementation and effectiveness of risk mitigation actions throughout the project lifecycle.

Coordination with Host Site

• Act as the primary interface between project teams and host site representatives regarding construction risk management.
• Maintain effective communication regarding construction activities, operational interfaces, and EHS responsibilities.
• Ensure clear ownership and accountability for construction risks throughout project delivery.
• Coordinate safe transfer of care, custody, and control between project and operational teams.
• Support management of operational interfaces within live pharmaceutical manufacturing environments.
• Ensure emergency response arrangements are clearly defined and understood by all stakeholders.
• Facilitate project handover activities and transfer of EHS responsibilities at project completion.
• Support operational readiness and transition planning.
• Ensure risk management processes are implemented and maintained across projects.
• Review risk registers and verify effectiveness of mitigation strategies.
• Ensure high-risk activities are appropriately planned, reviewed, and authorised.
• Promote a proactive approach to hazard identification and risk reduction.
• Champion a safety-first culture across all project activities.
• Place health, safety, and environmental performance at the centre of all project discussions and decision-making.
• Promote continual improvement in construction safety performance.
• Support development and implementation of EHS standards, procedures, and best practice initiatives.
• Provide coaching and mentoring to project teams on construction risk management and EHS compliance.

Stakeholder Management & Leadership

• Act as a trusted advisor to clients, project teams, and contractors on construction safety and assurance matters.
• Influence project stakeholders to ensure construction risks are effectively managed.
• Build strong relationships with clients, contractors, consultants, and operational teams.
• Facilitate collaboration across multidisciplinary project teams.
• Communicate complex technical and risk-related information clearly and effectively.
• Support the development of construction assurance frameworks and governance processes across Wade projects.

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• Degree, or equivalent qualification in Construction Management, Engineering, Building Services, Health & Safety, or a related discipline.
• Valid industry-recognised construction, engineering, or health and safety qualification.
• Extensive experience in construction management, construction assurance, or construction EHS leadership.
• Proven experience leading constructability reviews and construction risk assessments.
• Strong understanding of construction methods, temporary works, contractor management, and construction legislation.
• Experience supporting projects through pre-construction, construction, commissioning, and handover phases.
• Excellent stakeholder management, leadership, and communication skills.
• Commercial and contractual awareness.
• Ability to influence, challenge, and drive compliance across complex project environments.

Desirable Qualifications & Experience

• NEBOSH Construction Certificate, NEBOSH Diploma, or equivalent professional EHS qualification.
• Experience within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, or life sciences facilities.
• Knowledge of GMP, GxP, FDA, EMA, and MHRA regulated environments.
• Experience working within live operational manufacturing facilities.
• Chartered membership of IOSH, CIOB, ICE, IMechE, APS, or equivalent professional institution.
• Experience supporting EPCM, PMC, client-side, or consultancy project delivery models.
• Experience in commissioning, qualification, validation, and operational readiness programmes

Core Leadership Requirements

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Ethical behaviour and integrity aligned with Wade values.
• Strong leadership capability and professional credibility.
• The ability to influence and direct both financial and human resources in support of construction risk management.
• Sound judgement and decision-making under pressure.
• The confidence to challenge unsafe behaviours and practices.
• A commitment to placing health and safety at the forefront of every project discussion.
• The ability to ensure construction risks are effectively managed in compliance with client standards and legal requirements.

Success Measures

• Effective management and reduction of construction risk.
• Strong contractor EHS performance and compliance.
• Successful completion of constructability reviews and assurance activities.
• Positive client feedback and stakeholder confidence.
• Compliance with client standards and regulatory requirements.
• Successful management of operational and construction interfaces.
• Continuous improvement in project safety and assurance performance.
• Delivery of projects that reinforce Wade's reputation for excellence within the pharmaceutical and life sciences sector.