Head of Wireless Delivery - #2158043

Position Overview

We are looking for a Head of Wireless Delivery with experience in managing complex wireless infrastructure programmes and building a scalable construction organisation in Manchester.

Job location: United Kingdom, Manchester, Greater Manchester

Available Positions: 1 position

Job type: Permanent

Job Ref. Number: HOWDL02.10.26

Overview

The Head of Wireless Delivery leads the successful construction and build delivery of wireless infrastructure programmes across the UK. The role is accountable for establishing and managing Connect44’s construction operating model, using internal build leadership together with dedicated build partners and specialist subcontractors to provide safe, scalable and commercially controlled delivery. The role oversees construction from approved handover-to-build and site readiness through mobilisation, civils, rigging, electrical works, equipment installation, integration support, quality assurance, handover, commercial completion and final account. The position is solely focused on construction and build responsibilities, while coordinating the interfaces required from design, acquisition, commercial, HSEQ, logistics and the client to enable build delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the UK wireless construction and build delivery strategy, governance, operating model and performance across all awarded build programmes.


• Lead the build function from approved handover-to-build through construction readiness, mobilisation, site execution, integration support, handover, defect closure and commercial completion.


• Develop, maintain and scale the partnership model comprising Connect44 build leadership, dedicated civils, rigging and electrical partners, and specialist subcontractors required for scaffolding, DNO management, structural fabrication and other project-specific works.


• Ensure partner capacity is aligned to forecast site volumes, regional demand, site type, competence requirements and client delivery priorities, with dedicated field teams allocated where required.


• Set clear scopes, work instructions, deliverables, service levels, reporting requirements and accountability for internal staff and every build partner and subcontractor.


• Lead the allocation of construction work based on competence, capacity, geography, safety, quality, programme performance, commercial position and client requirements.


• Maintain effective partner governance through mobilisation reviews, weekly operational meetings, performance reviews, recovery plans and direct intervention where delivery is at risk.


• Build and lead the internal construction delivery team, including Build Managers, dependency management, project coordination, site supervision, assurance and handover support.


• Develop the internal team and partner organisation to provide resilient national delivery capacity and support mobilisation, volume increases and specialist construction requirements.


• Lead construction mobilisation for new clients and projects, confirming scope, delivery methodology, resource plans, partner allocations, systems, compliance, reporting and commercial controls before delivery starts.


• Oversee delivery across rooftop, tower, streetworks, greenfield and compound environments, including civils, foundations, steelwork, structural modifications, rigging, electrical, power, transmission and equipment installation.


• Ensure all construction activity follows approved designs, client specifications, work instructions and controlled change processes, preventing unauthorised site-led changes.


• Act as the senior construction escalation point for site blockers, access issues, outages, materials, plant, DNO, design clarifications, safety, quality and partner performance.


• Ensure Sitetracker and client systems provide a reliable build record, with partners updating instructions, milestones, dependencies and evidence directly where required.


• Use dashboards, milestone checks and accountability tracking to identify missing data, orphaned activities, overdue actions and risks to forecast completion.


• Lead regular construction progress reviews covering design approved for build, pre-start, materials, DNO, RAMS and welfare, access, outages, plant, civils, rigging, electrical, integration, handover, audits and revisits.


• Drive recovery where sites are behind plan through reprioritisation, resequencing, additional resources, alternative partners, escalation and targeted action plans.


• Provide senior construction leadership under CDM 2015 and ensure Connect44 fulfils its appointed Principal Contractor or Contractor responsibilities for the construction phase.


• Challenge cost leakage, abortive works, repeat visits, unapproved changes, idle resources, partner overspend and incomplete evidence that delays invoicing.


• Manage and maintain accurate construction forecasts linking physical site progress, milestone completion, value, revenue recognition, GRN and invoicing expectations.


• Represent Connect44 in client build reviews, programme governance, partner meetings, site escalations and construction performance forums.


• Support construction bids, PQQs, client presentations and pricing reviews with build methodology, delivery structures, partnership capacity, resource models, programme assumptions, risk inputs and mobilisation plans.


• Drive continuous improvement in construction delivery through lessons learned, standard work, automation, dashboarding, partner development and removal of non-value-adding administration.

Skills and Experience

• Extensive senior experience leading wireless telecoms construction and build programmes, ideally across 4G and 5G network deployment.


• Proven ability to establish, mobilise and manage a blended delivery organisation using internal Build Managers, dedicated delivery partners and specialist subcontractors.


• Strong knowledge of telecoms construction across towers, rooftops, streetworks, greenfield sites and compounds.


• Excellent technical understanding of telecoms civils, steelwork, structural modifications, rigging, electrical systems, power, DNO, transmission and equipment installation.


• Proven experience managing geographically dispersed construction portfolios and multiple concurrent sites, clients and partners.


• Strong knowledge of CDM 2015 construction-phase duties, Principal Contractor responsibilities, contractor assurance, temporary works, permitting and site safety controls.


• Demonstrable experience managing build partners against capacity, competence, safety, quality, programme, cost, reporting and behavioural expectations.


• Must possess exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the confidence to articulate results, flag issues, and resolve complex problems directly with internal and external director-level stakeholders.


• Ability to interpret approved designs, scopes, drawings, rigging and electrical information and convert them into controlled construction delivery plans.


• Strong commercial and financial understanding of tenders, quotations, rate cards, partner pricing, variations, change control, purchase orders, margin, WIP, GRN, invoicing and final accounts.


• Advanced programme, reporting and data-management skills, including Excel, dashboards, Sitetracker or comparable delivery platforms.


• Excellent client, partner and supplier management skills, with the ability to negotiate, challenge, escalate and agree recovery actions.


• Proven ability to create structure, accountability and clear decision-making within high-volume and delivery-pressured construction environments.


• Clear and collaborative leadership style, with the confidence to hold internal teams and external partners accountable for construction outcomes.

Qualifications

• Relevant degree, HNC/HND, apprenticeship or equivalent demonstrable experience in telecommunications, construction, engineering or project delivery, preferred but not essential.


• Valid Health & Safety qualification such as SMSTS, NEBOSH or IOSH Managing Safely is highly required.


• Basic CDM 2015 training covering duties applicable to Principal Designer and Contractor.


• Rooftop access, Radio Frequency awareness and First Aid at Work certification appropriate to the leadership remit are desirable.


• Project, programme or commercial management qualifications are advantageous.


• Full UK driving licence and ability to travel nationally as required.