Senior Construction Manager

Who Is Walter Lilly?

Walter Lilly is a premier provider of high quality construction services for London and the South East’s finest landmark and heritage buildings, alongside state-of-the-art science and higher education facilities. With over 100 years experience, we bring bold, complex projects to life. Our clients come to us for the best, expecting results that stand out on a global stage.

Boasting an impressive track record of unique projects, we work with industry-leading architects, engineers, interior designers, and highly skilled tradespeople on a portfolio ranging from the UK’s most recognisable listed attractions to cutting-edge contemporary structures.

This is an outstanding opportunity for a highly experienced Senior Construction Manager or Project Manager to join one of the UK's leading construction specialists, working on a flagship science and laboratory project.

Reporting directly to the Project Leader, you will act as their trusted deputy and play a pivotal role in the successful delivery of a technically complex laboratory development, helping to drive programme, quality, safety, client relationships and operational performance.

Our Benefits

• Competitive salary

• 26 days' annual leave

• Private medical insurance

• Income protection insurance

• Automatic enrolment to company pension scheme ('opt out' available)

• Travel expenses

Our Culture

At Walter Lilly, we work with each other and our clients in the spirit of collaboration. We recognise the expertise of those who have been with us for many years whilst investing in the next generation of rising industry stars, combining invaluable experience with fresh, innovative thinking.

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported to reach their full potential. We strive to create a culture where employees can bring themselves to work in line with our core values of integrity, honesty, and fairness.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced Senior Construction Manager / Project Manager to support the delivery of a major laboratory construction and fit-out project. Acting as the Number 2 to the Project Leader, you will take ownership of day-to-day construction activities, support strategic project decisions and ensure the successful execution of works across a highly technical and regulated environment.

This role is ideally suited to an individual with extensive experience delivering laboratory, life sciences, pharmaceutical or other highly serviced technical facilities, with a strong understanding of complex MEP installations, specialist commissioning activities and stakeholder management.

Due to the location of the project, regular travel to site will be required and a full UK driving licence is strongly preferred.

Key Responsibilities:

• Act as the Project Leader's deputy, supporting the overall management and successful delivery of the project.

• Lead day-to-day construction operations across the laboratory construction and fit-out works.

• Manage and coordinate subcontractors, suppliers and direct site teams to achieve programme milestones.

• Ensure all activities are delivered safely and in compliance with health, safety, environmental and quality standards.

• Drive programme performance, identifying and mitigating risks, delays and constraints.

• Coordinate complex building services installations and interfaces within highly serviced laboratory environments.

• Work closely with clients, consultants, specialist designers and end users to ensure project objectives are achieved.

• Lead site logistics, sequencing and construction planning activities.

• Support project reporting, progress reviews and client presentations.

• Collaborate with commercial teams to monitor costs, variations and project performance.

• Champion quality throughout the build, commissioning and handover phases.

• Promote a collaborative, solutions-focused culture across the project team.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate:

• Proven experience as a Senior Construction Manager, Project Manager or equivalent leadership role on major construction projects.

• Significant experience delivering laboratory construction, laboratory fit-out, life sciences, pharmaceutical, research or other highly technical facilities.

• Strong understanding of building services coordination, commissioning processes and complex technical installations.

• Experience acting in a senior site leadership capacity, managing multiple workstreams and stakeholders simultaneously.

• Excellent planning, organisational and communication skills.

• Strong leadership capabilities with the ability to build high-performing project teams.

• A proactive and solutions-focused approach to project delivery.

• Comprehensive knowledge of construction methodologies, quality management processes and health and safety legislation.

• SMSTS, CSCS and First Aid qualifications.

• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to a relatively remote project location.

Additional Requirements

• Applicants must have an existing right to work in the UK.

• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

• Due to the location of the site, a full UK driving licence and regular access to a vehicle are strongly preferred.

How to Apply

If your skill set matches the above, and the prospect of helping deliver some of the country’s finest projects appeals to you, please reach out via the button shown.

Your application will be processed by Walter Lilly and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis as suitable candidates apply. We therefore encourage you to submit ASAP to avoid missing out.