Lead Construction Manager

Interested in a career that matters?

The Lead Construction Manager is responsible for leading and overseeing all construction activities related to civil, structural, and mechanical disciplines during project execution. The role ensures safe, high-quality, and efficient delivery of construction works while achieving project objectives related to scope, schedule, cost, quality, and compliance. The position serves as the primary site leader coordinating contractors, engineers, suppliers, and stakeholders throughout construction, commissioning support, and project handover.

Roles & Responsibilities

Construction Leadership & Site Management

• Lead all site construction activities across civil, structural, mechanical, piping, and utility scopes.
• Establish execution strategies, construction methodologies, and resource plans.
• Direct field teams and contractors to ensure efficient execution of work packages.
• Serve as the single point of accountability for site construction performance.

Civil & Structural Construction Management

• Oversee earthworks, excavation, foundations, piling, concrete structures, buildings, roads, drainage systems, and underground utilities.
• Ensure construction activities are executed according to approved designs, specifications, and engineering standards.
• Coordinate interfaces between civil works and mechanical installation activities.

Mechanical Construction Management

• Lead installation of process equipment, utilities, piping systems, HVAC, tanks, pumps, and supporting infrastructure.
• Ensure proper sequencing of equipment erection, alignment, testing, and mechanical completion.
• Support commissioning and start-up readiness activities.
• Resolve field technical issues in collaboration with engineering teams and vendors.

Contractor & Stakeholder Management

• Manage EPC/EPCM contractors, subcontractors, consultants, and suppliers.
• Conduct contractor performance reviews and monitor productivity.
• Lead construction progress meetings and coordinate stakeholder alignment.
• Ensure effective communication between project management, engineering, operations, maintenance, and safety teams.

Safety, Health & Environmental Management

• Promote and enforce a zero-accident safety culture.
• Ensure compliance with site safety requirements, permit-to-work systems, and regulatory standards.
• Lead risk assessments, toolbox talks, incident investigations, and corrective actions.
• Drive EHS compliance throughout project execution.

Schedule, Cost & Risk Management

• Monitor construction schedules, milestones, and productivity metrics.
• Identify critical path risks and develop recovery plans when required.
• Control construction budgets and manage variations, claims, and change orders.
• Support forecasting and reporting to project leadership.

Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Ensure implementation of QA/QC processes, inspection plans, and testing requirements.
• Review and approve method statements, inspection records, and construction documentation.
• Drive first-time-right execution and minimize rework.
• Ensure statutory, regulatory, and company compliance requirements are met.

Commissioning & Handover

• Coordinate mechanical completion and turnover processes.
• Ensure punch-list closure and construction readiness for commissioning.
• Support operational acceptance, training, and project handover.
• Ensure as-built documentation and final project records are complete.

In this role you’ll make an impact by:

• Delivering complex construction projects safely, on time, and within budget while maintaining the highest standards of quality and compliance.
• Leading multidisciplinary civil and mechanical construction teams to achieve key project milestones and operational readiness.
• Driving construction excellence through proactive planning, contractor management, and risk mitigation.
• Ensuring seamless integration between civil infrastructure, mechanical systems, utilities, equipment installation, and commissioning activities.
• Creating a strong safety culture that prioritizes people, environmental sustainability, and operational integrity.
• Enabling successful project handover through disciplined execution, quality assurance, and stakeholder collaboration.

To succeed:

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or related discipline.
• Professional certification in Project Management, Construction Management, or equivalent preferred.

Experience

• 15+ years of experience in industrial construction, manufacturing projects, CAPEX projects, chemical/manufacturing industries.
• Proven experience managing both civil and mechanical construction activities.
• Experience in greenfield and brownfield project execution.
• Strong experience in contractor construction management and commissioning support.

Key Competencies

• Construction Execution Leadership
• Civil & Structural Engineering Knowledge
• Mechanical Installation Management
• Contractor Management
• Project Planning & Scheduling
• Cost and Risk Management
• EHS Leadership
• Quality Management
• Stakeholder Management
• Conflict Resolution and Decision Making

Our purpose guides the way

In Novonesis, we know that solutions rooted in biology can help solve humanity’s biggest challenges. Since we began more than a century ago, this has been our guide. It’s how we've gotten so far. And it’s how we'll impact the future. Now, more than ever, the world needs change. And with biosolutions, the possibilities for transformation are endless. If our purpose resonates with you, we encourage you to apply.

Opportunities for everyone

We are committed to an inclusive recruitment process and equal opportunity for all applicants. Therefore we ask you to apply without a cover letter or photo and instead include a few sentences in your CV explaining your motivation for applying.

We make all employment decisions based on business needs and welcome candidates with a wide range of backgrounds, including ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status.

Explore other openings

If this position isn’t the right fit, you may still find other opportunities with us. You’re welcome to explore open roles or create a job agent to stay connected with future opportunities at novonesis.com/Career