Mechanical Site Manager

Mechanical Site Manager (Prison / Secure Estate) — Up to £400/day + staying away

If you like big programmes with real consequences (and the rate that comes with them), this one's for you. This is a Mechanical Site Manager position on the Highpoint secure‑estate upgrade programme — £15m MEP across new Healthcare, Combined Workshop and Kitchen buildings, plus enabling works and tight interface management on a live, controlled‑access site.

• £15m MEP across new Healthcare, Combined Workshop and Kitchen buildings
• Healthcare (040): 25 weeks — 18 Dec 2025 to 29 Jun 2026
• Combined Workshop (042): 48 weeks — 30 Mar 2026 to 12 Mar 2027
• Kitchen (044): 42 weeks — 30 Mar 2026 to 29 Jan 2027
• Pre‑con / enabling: live now through March 2026 (design reviews, surveys, procurement planning)
• Delivery model: sub‑let labour and sundries; major kit supplied direct (capital plant, main plant, specialist equipment, large‑bore materials where applicable)

• Manage all mechanical site activity: labour, access constraints, short‑interval planning, permits, and daily coordination
• Lead mechanical subcontractors across typical scopes:
  • Pipework (LTHW/CHW, domestic services)
  • Plantroom fit‑out and skids (as applicable)
  • Ventilation / ductwork, dampers, grilles, fire‑stopping interface
  • Sanitaryware and above‑ceiling services coordination
  • Insulation, labels, flushing, chlorination coordination where relevant
• Own H&S delivery: RAMS, permit control, toolbox talks, PPE compliance, lifting plans, hot works, isolation management
• Drive quality: ITPs, hold points, benchmarks, witness testing readiness, snag/defect close‑out
• Coordinate hard on interfaces: builder’s work, risers, ceilings, penetrations, electrical containment, controls/BMS, commissioning access
• Stay on top of materials/logistics: deliveries, storage, issuing to gangs, ensuring direct‑supplied kit is received/checked/installed correctly
• Keep the paperwork tight: daily logs, progress updates, labour returns, QA packs, as‑builts support, handover documentation readiness

You’ll be working inside a structured M&E delivery team alongside an Electrical opposite number, reporting into the Mechanical PM (with Project Director oversight). The contractor is a strong, delivery‑led M&E specialist known for running complex, controlled‑access work with proper on‑site support and clear reporting lines.

• Solid background as a Mechanical Site Manager / Mechanical Supervisor on MEP projects (ideally secure, healthcare, live or high‑compliance environments)
• Strong working knowledge of mechanical building services (pipework, ventilation, plant, domestic services, testing/commissioning readiness)
• SSSTS or SMSTS (SSSTS minimum)
• CSCS (and relevant mechanical trade background—pipe fitting/plumbing/ductwork supervision routes all considered)
• Confident managing subcontract labour, sequencing work, and solving interface problems fast
• Comfortable passing security/vetting requirements for prison work

• Up to £400 per day (depending on experience)
• Staying away costs covered (accommodation/subsistence in line with project policy)
• Long duration across the phases listed

If you want a mechanical lead role where you actually control the site and have the backing of a proper delivery structure, this is a strong one — and shortlist spots will move quickly.