Programme Manager – Civil Engineering (Nuclear Infrastructure)
Workington, Cumbria
Competitive Salary + Package
Permanent | Full-Time
Our client, a leading Tier 1 infrastructure and engineering contractor, is seeking an experienced Programme Manager to join their team in Workington. This is a senior delivery leadership role within a highly regulated nuclear environment, supporting major civil engineering programmes across the client's infrastructure portfolio.
The successful candidate will provide programme-level leadership, coordination and governance across multiple concurrent civil engineering projects, ensuring safe, compliant and efficient delivery from inception through to commissioning and handover.
The Role
The Programme Manager will support the Head of Projects in leading the successful delivery of a complex portfolio of civil engineering works within a nuclear-licensed site.
You will be responsible for programme oversight, technical coordination, stakeholder engagement and delivery assurance across all phases of the project lifecycle.
Key Responsibilities
Programme Leadership & Delivery
- Support the Head of Projects in planning, coordinating and delivering multiple civil engineering projects.
- Provide programme-level oversight of scope, cost, schedule, risk and performance.
- Ensure integration across design, procurement, construction and commissioning activities.
- Manage delivery from client brief through pre-construction, execution and final handover.
- Monitor progress against KPIs and implement corrective actions where required.
Civil Engineering Delivery
- Oversee delivery of complex civils packages including:
- Groundworks
- Reinforced concrete structures
- Infrastructure and drainage systems
- Earthworks and structural modifications
- Ensure compliance with technical specifications, nuclear site licence conditions and regulatory requirements.
- Manage subcontractor performance in collaboration with commercial teams.
Governance, Risk & Compliance
- Ensure full compliance with nuclear safety, environmental and quality standards.
- Maintain programme-level risk registers and mitigation strategies.
- Produce and present progress reports, financial forecasts and risk updates to senior stakeholders.
- Support assurance reviews, audits and stage gate governance processes.
Stakeholder & Client Interface
- Act as a key interface between project teams, client representatives, regulators and supply chain partners.
- Support senior stakeholder engagement and contribute to strategic programme planning.
- Assist in long-term programme strategy and resource planning.
Commercial & Financial Control
- Monitor programme budgets, forecasts and cost performance.
- Support change control processes and ensure variations are properly assessed and approved.
- Contribute to commercial discussions and negotiations where required.
Leadership & Team Development
- Provide leadership in line with nuclear safety culture and behavioural expectations.
- Mentor and support Project Managers and Engineering teams.
- Promote continuous improvement, lessons learned and best practice across the programme.
- Support employee engagement and team development activities.
Candidate Requirements
- Degree qualified in Civil Engineering or related discipline
- Proven experience delivering complex infrastructure or civil engineering programmes
- Strong background in programme management within Tier 1 or Tier 2 contractor environments
- Experience in highly regulated sectors (nuclear, infrastructure, energy or major projects)
- Strong understanding of contract delivery, ideally NEC
- Excellent stakeholder management and leadership capability
- Strong knowledge of project controls including cost, schedule and risk management
Desirable Experience
- Sellafield or wider nuclear sector experience
- Understanding of nuclear site licence conditions
- Experience managing multi-project civil engineering portfolios
- Background in major infrastructure delivery environments
Training & Development
- NEC Contract Awareness
- Nuclear Site Licence Conditions
- Health, Safety & Environmental Leadership (SMSTS or equivalent)
- Project Controls and Assurance Processes
- Continuous professional development support
What’s on Offer
- Opportunity to deliver nationally significant nuclear infrastructure programmes
- Senior leadership role within a respected Tier 1 contractor
- Long-term career progression and development opportunities
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Technically challenging and collaborative project environment
To apply or discuss this opportunity in confidence, get in touch with Craig:
0151 666 8969
