Sr. Construction Manager

Job description

Job Description Senior Construction Manager (PMC) – Complex Tunnelling Projects Position Summary The Senior Construction Manager acts as the PMC's lead representative for construction delivery, providing strategic oversight and assurance for major tunnelling and underground infrastructure projects.
The role is responsible for monitoring, coordinating, and managing Cost Plus, Re-measurable, EPC/Design & Build contractors to ensure construction activities are executed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with project objectives, contractual requirements, quality standards, and regulatory obligations.
The position requires industry-leading experience in the delivery of large, technically challenging tunnelling projects, including TBM, NATM/SEM, deep shafts, caverns, underground premium facilities, and associated high-end habitable spaces, utility and infrastructure works.
Key Responsibilities Construction Leadership & Oversight • Serve as the PMC's senior construction representative and trusted advisor to the Client.
• Provide strategic oversight of all tunnelling and underground construction activities.
• Monitor contractor performance against approved schedules, budgets, safety requirements, and quality objectives.
• Review and validate construction methodologies, work plans, sequencing strategies, and resource deployment plans.
• Ensure project delivery aligns with approved project execution plans and client objectives.
Contractor Management • Lead construction oversight teams in monitoring Cost Plus, Re-measurable, EPC, Design & Build, and specialist tunnelling contractors.
• Assess contractor capabilities, productivity, performance trends, and recovery strategies.
• Challenge and validate contractor schedules, progress reporting, risk assessments, and mitigation plans.
• Monitor critical construction interfaces and resolve issues impacting project delivery.
Technical Assurance • Provide expert guidance on tunnelling methodologies and underground construction techniques.
• Review and approve construction proposals relating to: o TBM (micro and other) excavation works o NATM/SEM/VMT tunnelling o Drill and blast operations o Shaft and cavern construction o Ground Support, improvement and stabilization o Dewatering systems o Temporary and permanent support systems • Assess geotechnical risks and recommend mitigation measures.
Health, Safety and Environmental Governance • Promote and enforce a "Safety First" culture across the project.
• Oversee contractor compliance with project HSE requirements and international best practices.
• Participate in site audits, inspections, and leadership safety walks.
• Review major risk activities and ensure appropriate controls are implemented.
• Lead independent reviews of significant incidents and corrective actions.
Schedule and Performance Management • Monitor construction progress against baseline schedules.
• Identify schedule risks and delays affecting critical path activities.
• Evaluate contractor recovery programmes and acceleration strategies.
• Provide accurate progress assessments and executive-level reporting to the Client.
Commercial and Contractual Support • Support the Commercial and Project Controls teams in evaluating claims, variations, extension of time requests, and change orders.
• Review contractor entitlement submissions related to construction matters.
• Provide expert recommendations regarding construction performance and contractual obligations.
• Assist in dispute avoidance and resolution activities.
Stakeholder Management • Act as the primary construction interface between the Client, PMC team, contractors, designers, and authorities.
• Participate in executive and steering committee meetings.
• Present construction performance updates, key risks, mitigation plans, and strategic recommendations.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders.
Quality Assurance and Compliance • Ensure construction activities comply with approved design, specifications, codes, and standards.
• Lead quality audits and construction readiness reviews.
• Monitor inspection and test plans (ITPs) and quality control processes.
• Ensure lessons learned and continuous improvement initiatives are implemented.
Qualifications • Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering or related discipline.
• Master's Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or Project Management preferred.
• Professional Engineer (PE, CEng, or equivalent) preferred.
• Project Management certification (PMP or equivalent) desirable.
Experience Requirements • Minimum 20 years of experience in major infrastructure construction projects.
• Minimum 15 years of experience in tunnelling and underground works.
• Proven PMC or Client-side leadership experience on mega projects.
• Demonstrated success managing projects exceeding USD 1 billion in value.
• Extensive experience with: o Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM) – not key, potentially micro.
o NATM / SEM / VMT o Deep shafts and caverns o Underground premium accommodation o Underground infrastructure o Utility and other infrastructure tunnels • Experience working within international project delivery environments and complex stakeholder frameworks.
Core Competencies • Strategic Construction Leadership • Tunnelling Subject Matter Expertise • Client Representation • Contractor Performance Management • Construction Governance and Assurance • Risk Management • Health & Safety Leadership • Commercial Awareness • Stakeholder Management • Schedule Management • Quality Management • Executive Reporting and Communication Professional Profile Statement Senior Construction Manager with industry-leading expertise in the oversight and delivery of large-scale, complex tunnelling and underground projects within PMC and client-side environments.
Proven track record of providing strategic construction leadership, governance, and assurance for multi-billion-dollar programmes involving TBM (micro), NATM/SEM/VMT, underground facilities, shafts, and major civil works.
Recognized for driving exceptional safety performance, managing complex contractor interfaces, mitigating construction risks, and delivering successful project outcomes through effective stakeholder engagement, technical excellence, and robust construction management practices.

Preferred candidate

Years of experience

5+ years

Degree

Bachelor's degree / higher diploma