Canal & River Trust
Construction Manager
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About the Trust
We're one of the UK’s biggest charities and we care for 2,000 miles of canals, rivers, docks and reservoirs because we believe life is better by water. We're looking for people who support our cause and want to make a difference for future generations. Could this be you?
Along with our waterways we also manage museums, archives and the country's third largest collection of historic buildings, as well as the nature and wildlife that calls our canals home. All of this enables us to provide wellbeing opportunities for millions of people each year.
Join Our Team: Construction Manager – [Yorkshire & Humber]
Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.
We're excited to welcome a skilled Construction Manager to lead our dedicated team across Yorkshire and the North East. In this role, you'll oversee essential maintenance and repair projects, champion safe working practices, and help enhance our waterways for local communities. In doing so, you'll play a key part in maintaining one of the UK's most historic, fascinating, and treasured canal networks, making a real and lasting impact across the region.
Working Hours & Location
This role works under an annualised hours system and typically operates 5 days out of 7, which may include weekends and statutory holidays. Typical days are, Monday to Friday. At times, operational demands may require working more than 5 days within a 7 day period.
You will also be part of a 24‑hour operational standby rota, providing emergency cover when needed. New starters will only join the on‑call rota once they are fully trained and confident in the role.
Based from our Heck Yard depot, near Doncaster, you'll lead a team responsible for a large and diverse geographical area across Yorkshire and the North East. The patch stretches from Sheffield in the south, Goole in the east, Ripon in the north, and across to the Wakefield and Huddersfield areas in the west.
The team maintains a varied and strategically important waterway network, including the Huddersfield Broad Canal, Calder & Hebble Navigation, Aire & Calder Navigation, Sheffield & South Yorkshire Navigation, and Sheffield & Tinsley Canal. You'll also work closely with neighbouring teams where required to ensure the safe, efficient, and sustainable management of our historic waterways.
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Role Overview
In this exciting opportunity, you’ll combine operational leadership with strategic delivery, managing people, budgets, contractors and safety whilst preserving heritage to keep our canals open and thriving while enhancing the experience for millions of visitors and users.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and support a large team including Site Supervisors, Craft Operatives, Operatives & apprentices.
- Deliver work programmes on time, to the correct specification and within budget.
- Manage all temporary structures on a construction site as a Temporary Works Coordinator.
- Recruit, motivate and develop staff, manage training and development plans.
- Ensure excellent customer service and satisfaction.
- Manage budgets, estimations, and financial controls.
- Facilitate the integration of volunteers to support safe and effective delivery.
- Responsible for Trust vehicles, equipment and depots, and contractors supporting our delivery.
About You
- Proven experience managing teams in construction.
- Strong understanding of safety management.
- NVQ Level 4, HNC or a degree in a construction related discipline or equivalent practical experience.
- Experience translating strategy into deliverable programmes.
- Knowledge of operational, construction, and M&E management.
- Temporary Works coordinator qualified (or willing to train).
- NEBOSH certificate or NVQ in Health & Safety (Trust can support qualification).
- Customer-focused with strong leadership and communication skills.
- Experience in construction estimating.
- Full and current UK driving license with access to a car.
Contact & Application
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at CRT.recruitment@canalrivertrust.org.uk. We encourage early applications as we may close the vacancy once we receive enough suitable candidates.
What We Offer
We offer a starting salary of £42,165 plus CCA with opportunities for progression. Enjoy a competitive pension scheme, increasing holiday entitlement, and a range of employee benefits. For a full breakdown of our benefits, check out our brochure here: EVP - 1.
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Learn more: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/work-for-us/our-benefits
Our values
We care passionately for our waterways, and as importantly, for those who look after and use them. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce where everyone can thrive. We are striving to represent the diverse communities that we are a part of and welcome applicants from across all sectors of the community.
We want everyone to have the opportunity to perform at their best during our recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments - whether for a disability, neurodiversity, or health condition - please let us know what you need and how we can support you. We’ll work with you to make any necessary changes.
All of our jobs can be considered on a part time, flexible or job share basis.
We operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role. You are considered disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. We recognise not everyone who is classified as disabled under the Equality Act personally identifies this way, or with this definition of disability. Please do not let this discourage you from applying under the scheme.
At Canal & River Trust, we are committed to fair, transparent, and ethical recruitment practices. As part of our hiring process, we may use AI to analyse applications and support us work more efficiently. However, all hiring decisions – without exception - are made by our hiring managers.
Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.
Find out more about us on our website: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us
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