Construction Manager
Role Overview
The Site Manager leads the safe, efficient, and compliant delivery of BESS installations and ICP connection projects across the UK. The role oversees all on‑site construction activities, ensuring works are delivered to programme, budget, and quality standards while maintaining OCU’s strong safety culture and client relationships.
Key Responsibilities
Site Leadership & Delivery
Manage day‑to‑day site operations for HV/LV civils, electrical installation, and commissioning activities.
Coordinate all phases of BESS construction, including foundations, containers, inverters, transformers, switchgear, and balance‑of‑plant works.
Oversee ICP contestable works, including cable routes, joint bays, substations, and grid connection assets.
Ensure works follow approved designs, specifications, DNO/IDNO standards, and OCU Connect procedures.
Lead site progress meetings, daily briefings, and toolbox talks.
Health, Safety & Environment
Champion a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with CDM, HSE legislation, and OCU safety policies.
Review and implement RAMS, permits, lift plans, and temporary works.
Conduct regular site inspections, audits, and incident reporting.
Manage environmental controls, including noise, waste, ecology, and pollution prevention.
Quality & Technical Oversight
Ensure all works meet required quality standards, specifications, and client expectations.
Coordinate inspections, testing, and commissioning activities for HV/LV systems and BESS components.
Maintain accurate site records, red‑line drawings, and as‑built documentation.
Support resolution of technical issues, design queries, and change requests.
Stakeholder & Subcontractor Management
Act as the primary on‑site contact for clients, DNO/IDNO representatives, landowners, and local authorities.
Manage subcontractors, ensuring performance, compliance, and integration with OCU teams.
Support commercial teams with progress reporting, variations, and forecasting.
Programme & Commercial Control
Track progress against programme and escalate risks or delays.
Ensure efficient resource planning, material control, and logistics coordination.
Support cost management, productivity monitoring, and value engineering opportunities.
Experience & Competencies
Essential
Proven experience managing HV construction, ICP connections, or energy infrastructure projects.
Strong understanding of BESS systems, HV/LV electrical installation, and associated civils.
Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
Ability to manage multi‑discipline teams in a fast‑paced, safety‑critical environment.
Competent in interpreting technical drawings, HV schematics, and DNO standards.
Desirable
Experience delivering 132kV/33kV/11kV connections.
Knowledge of IDNO adoption processes and contestable works requirements.
Familiarity with National Grid, UKPN, SPEN, ENWL, WPD or other DNO frameworks.
Qualifications
SMSTS – essential
CSCS (Managerial) – essential
NRSWA Supervisor – desirable
First Aid at Work – essential
Temporary Works Supervisor/Coordinator – desirable
NEBOSH or IOSH – desirable
Full UK Driving Licence
Driven by values, powered by inclusion.
At OCU, our values guide everything we do: integrity, collaboration, respect, innovation and one company united. They shape how we work with our clients, communities, and each other. We believe that inclusion is more than a principle — it’s the foundation of our success. By embracing equity and ensuring that every individual has the opportunity to thrive, we create a workplace where diverse perspectives are valued, and everyone feels they belong.
Together, we build stronger teams, deliver better outcomes, and grow in ways that reflect the communities we serve. If you want to be part of a culture where values matter and inclusion is at the heart of everything we do apply now and help us shape the future together.
If you are invited to progress in the recruitment process, will you require any reasonable adjustments to support you? Please let us know so we can ensure the process is accessible and fair for you. Any information you share will be treated confidentially and will only be used to support you during the recruitment process.
- Division
- OCU Energy
- Locations
- Nationwide
- Employment type
- Full-time
- Employment Status
- PAYE/Staff
Nationwide
Our People, our Culture, our Values
As a business, we pride ourselves on operating a ‘People First’ culture, striving to constantly deliver on our 5 core company values.
1. We Care about Safety - It is our goal for everyone working on our behalf to go home healthy and safe at the end of each and every day.
2. We lead with Integrity - Integrity is central to everything we do. Without it, we wouldn’t have the relationships with our clients, nor would we have built an enviable reputation within the industry.
3. We strive to be Better everyday - We take pride in everything we do. This involves a meticulous approach to our work, endeavouring to make each day better than the last.
4. We make a Positive Impact - We want to make the places we work in better; leaving a lasting infrastructure and social legacy. We believe in proactivity to maximise impact.
5. We Deliver to Grow - The successful delivery of frameworks and contracts feeds our ability to grow strategically and strengthen OCU to expand the business and capabilities even further.
About OCU
Established in 1994, OCU Group is one of the fastest growing utility engineering contractors in the UK, with a long successful track record in delivering customer-focused civil engineering solutions.
Working directly with many of the country’s leading blue-chip power, water, telecoms and rail clients, we are looking for the very best talent to join our growing team.
We pride ourselves on empowering our employees and offering opportunities for them to take control of their own personal development and career progression in a supportive environment.
We believe that being successful is a choice.
We choose to be successful.
We are OCU, ‘One Company United’.
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