Tunnelling Works Manager

Position Overview

Position: Tunnelling Works Manager

Program: Water Infrastructure (AMP8)

Locations: North West & North of the UK

Employment type: Full‑time

Salary: Competitive package

We are seeking an experienced Tunnelling Works Manager to join our growing team delivering major underground and water infrastructure projects across the North West and North of the UK. These projects form part of the water industry's AMP8 investment programme, delivering critical infrastructure improvements through complex tunnelling, shaft sinking, and water and wastewater schemes.

• Manage the day‑to‑day delivery of tunnelling, shaft sinking, and water infrastructure works, ensuring projects are completed safely, on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.
• Lead and coordinate site management teams, engineers, subcontractors, and suppliers across multiple work fronts.
• Drive a positive health, safety, environmental, and quality culture throughout all project activities.
• Plan and coordinate construction activities to achieve programme milestones and project objectives.
• Monitor project performance and implement corrective actions where necessary.
• Ensure compliance with contractual requirements, specifications, permits, and company procedures.
• Manage labour, plant, materials, and resources efficiently.
• Support project planning, forecasting, and reporting activities.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with clients, framework partners, designers, and stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities for innovation, continuous improvement, and operational efficiencies.

• Proven experience as a Works Manager, Senior Site Manager, or similar leadership role within the tunnelling and/or water infrastructure sectors.
• Demonstrable experience managing tunnelling and shaft sinking operations.
• Strong background delivering water and wastewater infrastructure projects.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary construction teams and subcontractors.
• Excellent knowledge of construction health, safety, environmental, and quality requirements.
• Strong leadership, communication, planning, and organisational skills.
• Commercial awareness and understanding of programme and resource management.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel across project locations in the North West and North of the UK.

• Experience delivering projects under UK water industry frameworks and AMP programmes.
• Experience with TBM, SCL, microtunnelling, pipe jacking, and other tunnelling methodologies.
• SMSTS certification.
• CSCS Black Card (Management Level);
  Temporary Works Coordinator qualification.
• First Aid at Work certification.
• NEBOSH Construction Certificate or equivalent.
• Degree, HNC, or HND in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline.

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunities for career progression and professional development.
• Long‑term involvement in AMP8 and other major UK infrastructure programmes.
• A collaborative and supportive working environment.
• The opportunity to lead the delivery of some of the UK's most challenging tunnelling and water infrastructure projects.

Search is an equal opportunities recruiter and we welcome applications from all suitably skilled or qualified applicants, regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/beliefs, sexual orientation or age.