Head of Civil Engineering
Job title: Head of Civil Engineering
Department: Civil Engineering, Department of Marine Operations
Reporting to: Director of Marine Operations
Grade: 1
Salary: £93,877 per annum (plus car allowance)
Base: Gravesend, Kent
Closing date: 11 October 2024
Interview date: 31 October 2024
Who we are:
The Port of London Authority (PLA) is the statutory harbour authority for the tidal Thames and responsible for 95 miles of the River Thames from the Estuary to Teddington Lock in West London. We work to keep river users safe, protect and enhance the environment and promote the use of the river for trade and travel. The Civil Engineering team is responsible for structures on over 60 PLA sites, across a vast area ranging from Margate and Clacton-on-Sea in the east to Richmond in the west. The team is fully equipped and capable of undertaking any construction or maintenance work necessary for the PLA's built assets, except for electrical work.
The role:
The postholder will direct and co-ordinate the provision of civil engineering services to support the PLA in its core purpose as a harbour authority by designing and managing the creation, repair or sustainable replacement of the PLA’s built infrastructure including offices, workshops, jetties, brows, causeways, radar towers, lighthouses and other marine structures.
You will:
- Provide Project Management of multi-disciplinary teams to ensure construction projects are delivered in an environmentally friendly, safe, cost efficient and timely way.
- Ensure PLA buildings/structures are inspected and maintained in an efficient manner and comply with statutory regulations.
- Monitor and control financial performance of all construction works to ensure budgetary targets are met.
What we are looking for:
You will be a Chartered Engineer educated to degree level in Civil Engineering, with 10 years’ relevant experience in design and high-level project management of building, maintenance and civil engineering works, with a broad understanding of engineering contracts and legislation relating to the construction industry. You will possess excellent written and oral communication skills and have the ability to present effectively to all audience levels including the PLA Board and at public events.
Role and responsibilities:
- Provide Project Management of multi-disciplinary teams to ensure construction projects are delivered in an environmentally friendly, safe, cost efficient and timely way.
- Ensure PLA buildings/structures are inspected and maintained in an efficient manner and comply with statutory regulations.
- Monitor and control financial performance of all construction works to ensure budgetary targets are met.
- Ensure arrangements are in place for a safe system of working in respect of construction work carried out by consultants/ contractors to comply with safety legislation.
- Ensure that high standards of environmental sustainability are achieved in all Civil Engineering department projects.
- Recruit, retain and develop staff within the Civil Engineering department to ensure an efficient, motivated workforce is capable of meeting the workload of the department. Support the ICE training agreement and the departmental career pathway.
- Act as an internal consultant to provide advice and guidance on all Civil Engineering issues to support PLA operational, investment and business needs.
- Provide advice on civil engineering matters relating to DCO or River Works License applications
- Support potential growth of commercial activities within the Operations directorate, including engineering tasks or projects for external customers.
- Act as a leader within the PLA, supporting other departments as required.
- As a manager you have a responsibility to protect the health and safety of your staff and other people – such as customers and members of the public – who may be affected by your staff’s work.
In general, managers must:
- Make the workplace safe and eliminate or control risks to health.
- Ensure plant and machinery are safe and that safe systems of work are set and followed; ensure articles and substances are moved, stored and used safely.
- Provide adequate welfare facilities.
- Give staff and others the information, instruction, training and supervision necessary for their health and safety.
- Consult with their staff on health and safety matters.
- Chair meetings with colleagues, contractors, consultants and other outside parties to achieve PLA objectives.
- Communicate extensively with internal operational, technical, maritime and financial managers in relation to civil engineering projects.
- Provide close support and cooperation with the Facilities Management team and other PLA asset management service providers.
- Communicate extensively with external engineering and construction consultants, contractors, suppliers, customers, outside agencies, PLA’s landlords and statutory bodies.
- Provide engineering expertise at public meetings.
- Commissioning and implementing all civil engineering and building project within the limits of the PLA Delegation of Authority.
Benefits package:
- 30 days annual leave
- Premier Healthcare Scheme (Bupa)
- Generous pension
- Onsite parking with electric charging
- Access to Occupational Health, Mindfulness, Counselling and Physiotherapy
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Access to MyGymDiscounts
For further information or if you would like to have an informal discussion about the position, please contact James Palmer, Director of Marine Operations on 01474 562236 or james.palmer@pla.co.uk.
The PLA are not registered with the UK Home Office and do not sponsor candidates who require a visa or work permit to work in the UK, therefore an offer of employment cannot be made unless you currently hold the rights to live and work in the UK.
- Department
- Civil Engineering
- Role
- Head of Civil Engineering
- Locations
- London River House, DA12 2BG
- Yearly salary
- £93,877
- Employment type
- Full-time
About Port of London Authority
We are the custodians of the tidal Thames.
As a trust port, the Port of London Authority has no shareholders and operates for the benefit of customers and stakeholders now and in the future. Our operations cover 95 miles of the River Thames, from Teddington to the North Sea. We work to keep commercial and leisure users safe, protect and enhance the environment, and promote the use of the river for trade and travel.
Head of Civil Engineering
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