Construction Manager – Major Pharma Site Expansion
Role Purpose
Lead the construction delivery of a large‑scale pharmaceutical site expansion, ensuring the project meets its safety, schedule, quality, and cost objectives. This role requires a senior construction leader capable of driving performance across multiple contractors, influencing senior stakeholders, and maintaining operational continuity in a live GMP environment.
Core Responsibilities
1. Strategic Construction Leadership
Own the overall construction strategy and execution plan for a €300M+ capital project.
Drive integration across CSA, MEP, process, and commissioning workstreams to maintain a unified delivery approach.
Anticipate project risks and implement proactive mitigation strategies to protect schedule and cost.
2. Safety Culture Ownership
Champion a zero‑harm safety culture, ensuring all contractors and supervisors adopt consistent behaviours and standards.
Lead sitewide safety reviews, trend analysis, and behavioural safety initiatives.
Intervene decisively on unsafe practices and escalate systemic issues to senior leadership.
3. Schedule Recovery & Performance Management
Take accountability for construction schedule performance, including recovery planning when slippage occurs.
Challenge contractors on productivity, sequencing, resourcing, and constraints.
Implement structured daily/weekly performance management routines to maintain momentum.
4. Executive-Level Communication & Escalation
Provide clear, concise reporting to project leadership, steering committees, and client executives.
Escalate critical risks, delays, or contractor performance issues early and with recommended solutions.
Represent construction in cross-functional leadership forums.
5. Contractor & Stakeholder Management
Lead coordination across multiple general contractors, specialist subcontractors, and vendors.
Resolve conflicts between trades, enforce accountability, and ensure alignment with project priorities.
Maintain strong relationships with QA, EHS, operations, engineering, and commissioning teams.
6. Delivery Readiness & Turnover
Oversee handover documentation, quality records, and turnover packages to ensure readiness for commissioning and qualification.
Drive completion of punch lists, walkdowns, and system turnover milestones.
Ensure construction activities support a seamless transition into commissioning and startup.
Must-Have Experience & Competencies
Technical & Project Delivery
10+ years leading construction delivery on large-scale (€100M+) pharma or life sciences projects.
Deep understanding of CSA, MEP, process utilities, and cleanroom construction.
Proven ability to manage construction in live GMP environments.
Leadership & Influence
Demonstrated ability to create and sustain a strong safety culture across large contractor teams.
Track record of turning around slipping schedules through structured recovery actions.
Comfortable influencing senior stakeholders and escalating issues with clarity and confidence.
Operational Excellence
Strong command of construction planning, productivity analysis, and constraint management.
Skilled in risk management, change control, and cost awareness.
Ability to work independently while driving accountability across multiple contractors.
Nice-to-Have
Experience delivering mega‑projects (€300M+).
Familiarity with BIM, digital construction tools, and advanced project controls.
Engineering, construction management, or related degree.
Experience with out‑of‑hours supervision and hybrid project environments.