FG - Pre Construction Manager - Operations Mgt
7 days ago
Leeds
Pre-Construction Design Manager – Electrical\nUnited Kingdom (Hybrid/Site-Based as Required)\nCompetitive Salary, Car Allowance and Benefits\n\nRole Overview:\nThe Pre-Construction Design Manager – Electrical Substations is responsible for leading the design development and coordination of high-voltage substation projects during the pre-construction phase. This role ensures designs are safe, compliant, cost-effective, and deliverable, while supporting successful project mobilisation and execution.\n\nThe position also plays a key role in contractor onboarding and management, site supervision readiness, and the preparation and authorisation of Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS).\n\nKey Responsibilities\n\nDesign Management (Pre-Construction)\n\nLead the development and coordination of substation designs (typically 11kV–400kV), ensuring compliance with UK standards, DNO/IDNO requirements, and client specifications.\n\nManage multidisciplinary design teams including civil, electrical, and protection & control engineers.\n\nReview/Programme design deliverables such as single line diagrams, layout drawings, cable routing, earthing designs, and equipment specifications.\n\nEnsure constructability, safety by design, and value engineering principles are embedded throughout the design process.\n\nInterface with clients, consultants, and stakeholders to resolve technical queries and secure approvals.\n\n \n\nContractor Onboarding & Management\n\nLead the prequalification, onboarding, and induction of subcontractors and design partners.\n\nEnsure all contractors meet competency, safety, and compliance requirements (including SSSTS/SMSTS, CSCS, and relevant electrical authorisations).\n\nEstablish clear scopes of work, deliverables, and performance expectations.\n\nMonitor contractor performance against programme, quality, and safety metrics.\n\nFacilitate coordination meetings and ensure alignment across all delivery partners.\n\n \n\nSite Supervision & Pre-Construction Readiness\n\nSupport site mobilisation by ensuring designs are fully coordinated and construction ready.\n\nProvide oversight during early site activities, including surveys, enabling works, and setting-out.\n\nConduct site visits to verify design implementation and resolve technical issues.\n\nCollaborate with site managers and supervisors to ensure safe systems of work are implemented.\n\nEnsure that all pre-construction information is communicated effectively to site teams.\n\n \n\nRAMS (Risk Assessments & Method Statements)\n\nLead the preparation, review, and authorisation of RAMS for all pre-construction and early construction activities.\n\nEnsure RAMS are compliant with UK health and safety legislation, including CDM Regulations.\n\nWork closely with contractors and site teams to develop practical and safe methodologies.\n\nVerify that all high-risk activities are properly assessed and controlled.\n\nMaintain auditable records of RAMS approvals and revisions.\n\n \n\nHealth, Safety, and Compliance\n\nPromote a strong safety culture and ensure all designs adhere to “Safety by Design” principles.\n\nEnsure compliance with CDM Regulations, acting in support of the Principal Designer where required.\n\nIdentify and mitigate design and construction risks early in the project lifecycle.\n\nProgramme & Commercial Support\n\nSupport project planning, sequencing, and programme development.\n\nProvide technical input into cost estimates, procurement strategies, and tender evaluations.\n\nIdentify design risks and opportunities impacting cost and schedule.\n\n Carry out forecasting and remain focused on budget control throughout the life of the project\n\nSkills & Experience\n\nProven experience in design and delivery of electrical substations within the UK (preferably up to 132kV).\n\nStrong understanding of UK grid standards (e.g., National Grid, DNO requirements).\n\nExperience managing multidisciplinary design teams and subcontractors.\n\nDemonstrable experience in preparing and authorising RAMS.\n\nKnowledge of CDM Regulations and construction health & safety requirements.\n\nStrong stakeholder management and communication skills.\n\nAbility to balance technical, commercial, and programme priorities.\n\n \n\nQualifications\n\nProject Management APM PMQ or Prince2.\n\nChartered Project Manager status (or working towards) preferred.\n\nRelevant health & safety certifications (e.g., NEBOSH, IOSH).\n\nSite based Qualifications SSSTS/SMSTS, Temporary Works Coordinator, NRSWA\n\n \n\nKey Competencies\n\nLeadership and coordination\n\nRisk management and decision-making\n\nAttention to detail and safety focus\n\nCommercial awareness\n\nProblem-solving and adaptability\n\n \n\nAdditional Requirements\n\nWillingness to travel to project sites across the UK.\n\nFull UK driving licence.\n\nBenefits:\n\nWe are always evolving our benefits to ensure we're attracting and retaining great people. Some of what you can expect includes: \n\nCompetitive salary\n\nCar or Car allowance\n\n25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays\n\nPension with a leading provider and employer contribution\n\nSick Pay\n\nPersonal Wellbeing and Volunteer Days\n\nPrivate Medical Insurance\n\nFree 24/7 365 Employee Assistance Program to support mental health and well-being (including counselling sessions and legal advice)\n\nFlexible benefits to suit from Dental Insurance, Gym Memberships, Give As You Earn, Travel Insurance, Tax Free Bikes\n\nPersonal development programme.\n\nNext Steps: \n\n As a business, we’re on a journey to build on our culture where everyone is included, treated fairly and with respect. This starts with recruitment and how we bring people into the organisation. \n\n We’ll do our best to outline the recruitment process to you ahead of time with plenty of notice. If you require any accommodations to participate in the application or interview process, please let us know and we will work with you to ensure your needs are met. \n\nAbout Us \n \n\nFreedom are part of the NG Bailey Group, one of the leading independent engineering and services businesses in the UK. Founded in 1921, with a turnover of £500m and 3000 employees, we are proud of our history of developing great people through our investment in training. \n\nWorking across a variety of sectors within the building and infrastructure industry, our innovative, responsible and forward thinking approach allows us to work on fantastic ground-breaking projects, providing solutions using the latest tools and technologies\n\nProgression is something we value and we will make sure that when you join us you have a clearly defined development path, supported by regular reviews, training and ongoing support to enable you to be the best you can be \n\n \n\n#Freedom\n\n#LI-CN1\n\n#LI-hybrid