Civils lead

Purpose of the Role

The Site Manager – Civils is responsible for the day-to-day management of all civil engineering works on a residential development — site clearance, earthworks, roads, drainage, and services infrastructure — ensuring works are delivered safely, on programme, within budget, and to the required quality and specification ahead of superstructure trades commencing.

Key Responsibilities

Health & Safety

- Ensure all works are conducted in compliance with Safety, Health and Welfare at Work legislation and company H&S policy.

- Ensure all work activities are carried out in line with the agreed site safety policies.

- Oversee site inductions and toolbox talks, ensuring RAMS are in place, communicated, and adhered to before work commences.

- Maintain a safe site, monitoring PPE compliance, welfare facilities, excavation safety, and site traffic management.

- Report and investigate incidents and near misses, implementing corrective actions.

Programme & Delivery

- Plan and manage the sequencing of civils works — site clearance, earthworks, drainage, roads, and services — to meet the overall project programme.

- Coordinate groundworks, drainage, and utility subcontractors (ESB Networks, Irish Water, Gas Networks Ireland, telecoms) to ensure services are installed and connected in line with programme.

- Monitor progress against programme, proactively identifying and resolving delays, and reporting status to the Contracts/Project Manager.

- Consult closely with the Site Engineer on setting out, levels, and as-built records.

- Manage, Monitor all off-site civil activities where applicable to a project

Quality & Compliance

- Ensure all civils works are constructed in accordance with drawings, specifications, and Building Control (BCAR) requirements.

- Ensure compliance with road and drainage specifications, consulting with the Local Authority and Irish Water on taking-in-charge requirements.

- Conduct and oversee inspections and signoffs at key stages, ensuring no works are covered up before approval.

- Maintain accurate site records, test certificates (e.g. compaction testing, concrete cube tests, drainage CCTV surveys), and quality assurance documentation.

Commercial & Resource Management

- Manage civils subcontractors and suppliers to ensure works are delivered within budget.

- Monitor and control plant, materials, and labour on site to minimise waste and avoid delay.

- Consult with the Quantity Surveyor on variations, dayworks, and subcontractor accounts.

- Assist with procurement and management of plant hire for groundworks and civils operations.

Team & Stakeholder Management

- Supervise and manage Site Engineers, groundworkers, and civils subcontractors on site.

- Consult with the Design Team, consultants, Local Authority, and utility providers to resolve technical queries.

- Attend and contribute to site progress meetings.

- Support the Project Manager in the transition from the civils/infrastructure phase into superstructure works.

Requirements

Essential

- Degree/qualification in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline (or equivalent trade background with significant civils experience).

- Minimum 5–7 years' experience in a Site Manager role, with a strong civils/groundworks background.

- Proven experience managing roads, drainage, and services infrastructure on residential/housing developments.

- Strong knowledge of Building Regulations, BCAR, and relevant Irish Standards and codes of practice (e.g. Irish Water Codes of Practice, GDSDS).

- Full clean driving licence.

- Experience liaising directly with Irish Water, ESB Networks, and Local Authorities on connections and taking-in-charge.

- Experience with site management software (e.g. Procore).

- Experience managing multiple civils packages concurrently across a phased development.