Head of Construction

Salary: £61,227 to £68,029 per annum plus an allowance of up to £5,000 per annum (dependent on skills and experience)

Location: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0DE

Contract Type: Open-ended (permanent)

Hours: Full-time

Closing date for applications: 29th January 2023

Design and deliver unique spaces at the heart of UK Research and Innovation. Join us at the intersection of people, place and system to provide a built environment that supports quality, productivity, sustainability and innovation. Work alongside world-leading scientists and technologists to shape projects that improve daily life in the UK and beyond. 

Come and discover the impact you can make when you’re equipped, encouraged and inspired to perform to your very best. 

About the role

The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) owns and operates a complex science estate that is home to some of the UK’s large science facilities. In order to support this estate we are looking for a Head of Construction. This role will lead and be accountable for the management and delivery of major construction works for STFC, currently in excess of £250m. You will also be leading on commercial negotiations with suppliers, and achieving associated approvals within government departments. 

As Head of Construction, you will be expected to contribute and support the development and implementation of the Estates Services objectives and strategy. You will be accountable for the establishment and maintenance of appropriate governance throughout each of the project lifecycles. You will also be responsible for implementing the organisational programme, project management framework, and for ensuring suitable audit review dates are planned, agreed and communicated to stakeholders.

We are looking for someone to lead and establish robust, transparent and consistent project management processes, using appropriate systems to support. You will establish performance metrics for reporting and establish a culture of continuous improvement. You will be required to create a clear resource strategy to manage the peaks and troughs of capital development, as well as leading the fostering of a one-team approach and culture amongst the delivery team and wider Estates Services team.

About you

We are looking for an exceptional leader with experience in delivering ambitious portfolios. You will have a proven track record of leading teams to deliver large value projects, ensuring that they remain aligned with timeframes, costs and quality. You will have expert knowledge and experience of leading the design, development and procurement of multi-million-pound new build projects, ideally on scientific facilities. You will have a degree (or equivalent qualification) in a construction-related area, with detailed knowledge of different forms of construction and the pros and cons of using each. We are looking for someone with the ability to build great professional stakeholder relationships, who prioritises customer experience.

About us

As part of UK Research and Innovation, STFC offers a benefits package designed to provide an excellent work/life balance. This includes 30 days’ annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege days, Christmas shutdown, flexible working hours, a workplace nursery, an exceptional defined benefit pension scheme, and social and sporting activities and societies.

STFC builds and operates a science estate home to many of the UK’s largest research facilities. The estate is undergoing a major transformation to deliver unique facilities, support our sustainability goals, and prepare for the next generation of research infrastructures and researchers.

As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, this is a place where there’s always something new to learn – about the world around us, about your career, but most of all about yourself. Join us and discover what’s possible.